(no subject)
I know you guys have been missing me. You've been wandering aimlessy waiting for my next post and unable to eat due to lack of interest. I am sorry...I have not been there for you. Between bike troubles and work I've been somewhat nurturing my pathetic social life. And I've been taking part in my favorite past time. Being LAZY. ^^ To hold you over I wanted to share a mission moment that I just read in the team email.
Late in 1997, Marc Fremed’s future looked bright. After two years of practicing law, he had just accepted a job in the Nevada State Attorney General’s office. In addition, his fiancée Lauren, also an attorney, was preparing to join him in Las Vegas, where they were planning to build a life together.
Then in October, within days of his 28th birthday, the future he envisioned seemed to suddenly vanish. Constantly fatigued and developing a strange swelling on his neck, Marc paid a visit to his doctor. The young attorney expected to learn that it was nothing more than a stress-related ailment brought on by 70-hour work weeks, but tests revealed otherwise: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Worse, the deadly cancer was advancing with alarming speed. Due to numerous concerns including insurance issues, Marc gave up his new job and moved back to California to be with family and take care of his illness.
Marc’s treatment plan called for CHOP chemotherapy, a protocol involving four powerful drugs to put his cancer into remission. “They hoped it would not come back for five or 10 years,” explained Marc, “by that time they might have new and better options.” The CHOP worked, but was not as effective as had been hoped.
Cancer returned 18 months later - just three months after his marriage to Lauren. After undergoing another round of chemotherapy to put him in remission - his oncologist recommended he go City of Hope National Medical Center for a bone marrow transplant (BMT). The procedure took place May 4, 2000. It was no picnic. Marc faced many life threatening complications including five and a half weeks in ICU on a ventilator, waking up temporarily paralyzed. He was forced to learn how to talk, walk, and move all over again. But ultimately he survived, and just over a year later found himself back to a somewhat normal life.
One great benefit of the BMT was that he met his donor one year later. Lori Drabkin was a Team In Training participant and in talking with Marc convinced him to call the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and get involved.
This connection was perfect for Marc’s personal interests. Soon after his original cancer diagnosis, he adjusted his career path to cope with the ups and downs of treatment, and began working on community outreach, policy development, and legislative grassroots organizing for several non-profit organizations. In his personal life he had been involved with fundraising for numerous cancer charities.
As a volunteer for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society he was a very visible and honored teammate for several Team In Training Teams, assisted with numerous Light the Night events, and served as the chapter's local advocacy chairman.
In July of 2002, Marc had another huge setback. He developed a secondary oral cancer - thought to be a result of the prolonged immunisupressive state he was in after his BMT. Treatment required several surgeries and removal of part of his tongue. In July of 2003 he began a regiment of radiation treatment to finally end the tumor growth. In October of 2003, he was told that unfortunately none of the treatments had worked, and that at this point the cancer is incurable. Despite this news, Marc remains committed to spreading the word about the work of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and advocating for increased funding for cancer research.
Sadly, Marc is no longer with us, but the friends and teammates he inspired are still raising funds and carrying the message and caring for those they train with - remember why you joined TNT, why you are raising funds and GO THE DISTANCE.
There are many stories just like Marc's and also many more with happier endings. A little money goes a long way. We've gone so far in finding cures for these diseases and have much further to go. Keep donating those pennies. It'll save some one's life some day!
In the past week while I have collected cash donations and items for a silent raffle (OMG I should have put something here about the time and day put it's too late and many of you are not local) I have listened to people's stories about loved ones who have been affected by cancer and those that have passed. Being out there and trying to help those with blood cancers has put a smile on their faces. They have thanked me for what I am doing and send me many good luck wishes. It feels good.
Tomorrow we return to Malibu. I'm excited!!
Late in 1997, Marc Fremed’s future looked bright. After two years of practicing law, he had just accepted a job in the Nevada State Attorney General’s office. In addition, his fiancée Lauren, also an attorney, was preparing to join him in Las Vegas, where they were planning to build a life together.
Then in October, within days of his 28th birthday, the future he envisioned seemed to suddenly vanish. Constantly fatigued and developing a strange swelling on his neck, Marc paid a visit to his doctor. The young attorney expected to learn that it was nothing more than a stress-related ailment brought on by 70-hour work weeks, but tests revealed otherwise: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Worse, the deadly cancer was advancing with alarming speed. Due to numerous concerns including insurance issues, Marc gave up his new job and moved back to California to be with family and take care of his illness.
Marc’s treatment plan called for CHOP chemotherapy, a protocol involving four powerful drugs to put his cancer into remission. “They hoped it would not come back for five or 10 years,” explained Marc, “by that time they might have new and better options.” The CHOP worked, but was not as effective as had been hoped.
Cancer returned 18 months later - just three months after his marriage to Lauren. After undergoing another round of chemotherapy to put him in remission - his oncologist recommended he go City of Hope National Medical Center for a bone marrow transplant (BMT). The procedure took place May 4, 2000. It was no picnic. Marc faced many life threatening complications including five and a half weeks in ICU on a ventilator, waking up temporarily paralyzed. He was forced to learn how to talk, walk, and move all over again. But ultimately he survived, and just over a year later found himself back to a somewhat normal life.
One great benefit of the BMT was that he met his donor one year later. Lori Drabkin was a Team In Training participant and in talking with Marc convinced him to call the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and get involved.
This connection was perfect for Marc’s personal interests. Soon after his original cancer diagnosis, he adjusted his career path to cope with the ups and downs of treatment, and began working on community outreach, policy development, and legislative grassroots organizing for several non-profit organizations. In his personal life he had been involved with fundraising for numerous cancer charities.
As a volunteer for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society he was a very visible and honored teammate for several Team In Training Teams, assisted with numerous Light the Night events, and served as the chapter's local advocacy chairman.
In July of 2002, Marc had another huge setback. He developed a secondary oral cancer - thought to be a result of the prolonged immunisupressive state he was in after his BMT. Treatment required several surgeries and removal of part of his tongue. In July of 2003 he began a regiment of radiation treatment to finally end the tumor growth. In October of 2003, he was told that unfortunately none of the treatments had worked, and that at this point the cancer is incurable. Despite this news, Marc remains committed to spreading the word about the work of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and advocating for increased funding for cancer research.
Sadly, Marc is no longer with us, but the friends and teammates he inspired are still raising funds and carrying the message and caring for those they train with - remember why you joined TNT, why you are raising funds and GO THE DISTANCE.
There are many stories just like Marc's and also many more with happier endings. A little money goes a long way. We've gone so far in finding cures for these diseases and have much further to go. Keep donating those pennies. It'll save some one's life some day!
In the past week while I have collected cash donations and items for a silent raffle (OMG I should have put something here about the time and day put it's too late and many of you are not local) I have listened to people's stories about loved ones who have been affected by cancer and those that have passed. Being out there and trying to help those with blood cancers has put a smile on their faces. They have thanked me for what I am doing and send me many good luck wishes. It feels good.
Tomorrow we return to Malibu. I'm excited!!