August 1, 2011
To all my family, friends and colleagues,
Since 2004 I have been involved in the mission to cure blood cancers as a member of Team in Training. Through the team, I have participated in a number of triathlons, facing more difficult challenges throughout the years. The last event I completed with the team was the Vineman Triathlon, a half-ironman distance race, in 2009 and it was quite a difficult challenge for me! But the challenges that I faced were only minor to my friends and teammates that have faced conquering blood cancer and even more so for those that sadly didn’t. It was an honor to race for those whose lives were so impacted by cancer and who faced life challenges daily.
This year I am back with the team attempting another triathlon. However, this isn’t any race; it’s Ironman New Zealand in Taupo, New Zealand on March 3, 2012. This is a full Ironman distance triathlon with a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run — 140.6 miles! An event that will push me beyond any limits I have experienced in my life. And what better way to do it than by raising money for cancer research to find a cure, right?
The team I have joined this time is much different than all the other triathlon teams I have trained with. This training season is more than 8 months long and the team is limited to 30 members. It is a big event and a big training season and I have made a big commitment to raise $9,500 for the team and we have an over-all team goal of raising $500,000.
This is where I really need your help — more so than ever! In return for my dedication to this event and to the sufferers’ and survivors’ battle with Leukemia, I’m asking for your financial support. Absolutely any amount will help. It all adds up! 75% of all monies go directly to research. This disease will affect over 100,000 lives this year and is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 14. More than 5000 children will loose the battle this year.Jason is one of the luckier ones.However, the effectiveness of new treatment methods and advances in science bring us closer to finding the cause of Leukemia and related cancers. But it takes money and support from individuals to make it happen. Did I also mention that your support is 100% tax-deductible?
My training will be tough, and if any of you know how masochistic I am then you know how tough, but nowhere near as tough as the years of doctors’ visits, the months of chemotherapy, and the endless needles that cancer patients endure. To the thousands of leukemia patients, everyday is a test of endurance that I cannot imagine; theirs’ is a race much longer than what I’m training for.
Thank you so much for reading this through and for considering involvement in such an amazing cause. I have enclosed my personal web site address, so you can learn more about the program and the disease. Additionally, I have included the Ironman New Zealand web site for the race information. I am also blogging daily about my experiences through the program and I would appreciate if you would keep up with my progress by visiting http://ikeloa.info! As for why ‘ike loa, you should visit my blog to find out!
My personal fundraising deadline will be here before I know it, so I ask you to give your contribution by Dec 15, 2011. I will be able to accept donations after this date and up to March 3, 2012. You may donate directly from my web site or send me a check made out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. On-line donations are safe and secure are the easiest way to make a difference. Likewise, you may call me and we can catch up because everyone knows I’m often in a fog and am horrible at keeping in touch.
Ice packs, Advil, and a personal cheering section are certainly welcome, too. Please pass this email to others that may want to help to find a cure!
Thank you again and with much sincere appreciation!
Paul Sears
Ironteam San Diego 2012
|
My blog: |
|
|
My donation website: |
|
|
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: |
|
|
Team In Training: |
|
|
Ironman New Zealand: |
