First training completed

On 1/26 there was a decent turn out for the the first hike. Although it was around 35 degrees, the wind made it feel a bit chillier (not as cold as last year when we were at Paint Creek Trail). This coming week is the first of many "group" meetings for my group of hikers. We will be starting to plan a group fundraiser. More to come later.

One week until training starts

Next Saturday will be the first of many training hikes for Yosemite in June. I am looking forward to it. Meeting new people and reconnecting with many who experienced the Grand Canyon with me last year.

I've already started fundraising and am off to a good start. I am getting some help this year from a friend who is a Creative Memories Unit Leader. Please visit her link on the right to find out more about Creative Memories and what they offer. I can't think of a better partnership as I raise funds to help ensure memories for people with blood cancers, my memories which will last a lifetime and the memories I hope to share with you through this experience.

Keep checking back often for more updates and pictures from the hikes.

Donation information

I am very excited to be participating in another Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Hike for Discovery event -- an adventure fundraising program that benefits the LLS, to help find a cure for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma myeloma and Hodgkin’s disease.

As you remember last year I raised funds for the LLS in their inaugural Hike for Discovery program. I raised over $3,700 and the rest of the Michigan group raised over a quarter million for research, support groups, educational programs and financial planning for afflicted families.

This year I am looking to raise over $4,000. While fundraising I will be training to hike at Yosemite National Park on June 16, 2007. All the while I’ll be thinking of the more than 110,000 new cases of blood cancers which will be diagnosed nationwide this year alone; some 55,100 patients will die.

This year I don’t have one particular Honored Hero; instead I have decided to participate in honor of people I know, and the ones that you know, that are fighting their battle with blood cancers. People like Jeff Newton, who I hiked with last year; Jan Fallat, my Honored Hero of last year who is still in need of a bone marrow transplant; a former co-worker who lost her battle with leukemia over six years ago.

I need your help to reach my fundraising goal. Every dollar you donate is tax deductible and at least 75 cents of it goes directly toward research and patient services in Michigan.

You can make a donation online at the donation link on the right. Please come back here often to see updates and photos as I train, which starts the last weekend of January.

Please feel free to share this Web site and the donation information with your friends, family or colleagues. Thank you in advance for your support. The patients, families and I appreciate your efforts in helping to find a cure for blood cancers.

A new year and a new adventure

It's official! I am participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Hike for Discovery 2007. This year the LLS is offering not only a hike at the Grand Canyon, but also at Yosemite National Park, which is where I will be June 14-17, 2007.

I will have my new donation page up in the next couple of weeks as I get more information. Hope all had a Happy New Year and I look forward to sharing this years adventure with you.