Life before cancer was full of adventures, racing, mountain climbing and traveling. Then in August 2012 came those words, "You've got leukemia". Life as I had known it came to an immediate stop. Blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, scans. Then a diagnoses of AML and the news that this was a form of leukemia with a very low survival rate. Treatment was the same as it had been for 30 years, no new drugs or therapies. It was still high dose chemo and radiation followed by a bone marrow transplant and if you could survive the treatment you might beat the disease. I'm happy to say that I did survive and that I'm thriving but many of the patients I met along this journey did not survive. And in dedication to those who did not make it and as a promise to pay forward my fortunate outcome I've joined the Beat AML campaign.
Beat AML is an ambitious research and developement project supported by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It is a three-year $8.3 million campaign that will change the landscape of acute myeloid leukemia. It is being led by Dr. Brian Druker who is renowned for developing the drug Gleevec that is literally saving thousands of patients diagnosed with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia). In attacking AML, Dr. Druker will lead an unprecedented, multi-institution collaboration involving academic, bio/pharma and technology partners. The goal: enroll 900 patients during the next three years, discover the genetic mutations that drive AML, test combinations of therapies, discover precision treatments and give hope to families diagnosed with this disease! This hasn’t been accomplished in 30 years.
My self, my friends and family have all taken on the goal of fundraising for LLS since my diagnosis through the Man of the Year Campaign, Team in Training and Light the Night. However this fundraising campaign is very personal to me since it is dedicated to fighting the specific disease that tried to take my life. Please join me in my endeavor to BEAT AML by making a donation.
We really are changing the face of blood cancer!
All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They'll not only support LLS research but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.
Please visit my Web site often and bring friends who would also like to donate!
On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere I thank you for your support!
For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org
