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Andrew Schoppe's TNT Memphis in May Triathlon Pledge Page
Andrew Schoppe
218 Lovell Place Erie, PA 16503 814-454-7613 andrewschoppe@yahoo.com January 18, 2004 Howdy: Did you know that every year in the United States, 1.3 million people are diagnosed with cancer, roughly 106,000 of them with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma? You can do something to help find a cure for these diseases and hopefully help save peoplefs lives. Since moving to Erie, PA, I have decided to do something to support the search for a cure to leukemia and lymphoma, but I need your help. On May 23, 2004, I will be competing in the Memphis in May Triathlon (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run) as a part of Team in Training. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) is the world's largest endurance sports training program. In exchange for training and support, participants raise money toward cures for leukemia, the leading disease killer of children; Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the largest group of blood cancers; and myeloma, a nearly incurable cancer that particularly strikes the elderly and African Americans. At least 75% of the money raised goes to research, patient aid, and public and professional education programs. Finding the spirit to complete a triathlon will be an accomplishment, but it pales in importance to the spirit of those who awaken each day to beat their battle with cancer. Who do you know who currently is battling leukemia, lymphoma, or cancer? People we know and love are taking on cancer daily and beating itc. cPeople like my godmother, Dianne Boudreaux of Scottsdale, AZ, who was diagnosed in 2003 with stage II invasive ductal carcinoma (gbreast cancerh) at the age of 63 and is in the midst of 6 months of CMF treatment (chemotherapy) after having a mastectomy to remove one of her breasts. gIfm lucky that the side effects havenft been bad,h Dianne said. gI hope the treatment is killing the cancer and Ifll be cancer free for years and years to come.h cPeople like Christy Bumstead, a member of a wonderful family in Lubbock, TX, who was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in April 2002. Christy is undergoing clinical trials at the Cancer Treatment and Research Center in San Antonio, TX, to try to find the right therapy to cure her cancer. Christy, her husband Gantt, and their two young children Bass and Merrill, are grateful each day for the support from friends and family. gWe feel God's great blessing even during these difficult times, and we know that He is carrying us every day. The support we have felt continues to give us the courage and strength we need to face each day,h the Bumsteads shared. cPeople like 10-year-old Nick Quintet of Erie, PA, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in February 1999. Nick amazes everyone he comes in contact with as he battles ALL. His bravery is overwhelming and he is his Dadfs hero. We are blessed in more ways than we can imagine. Over the next few months I will be training to complete the Memphis in May Triathlon in honor of Dianne, Christy, and Nick. Is there someone you know who is battling cancer whom I could honor along with Dianne, Christy, and Nick by completing the Memphis in May Triathlon? On behalf of Dianne, Christy, Nick, and all those who are battling cancer, I am asking for your help. I have committed to raise $3,500 by March 19, 2004, to support the search for a cure for various forms of cancer and will need your help to reach and hopefully surpass this goal. Any efforts you might be able to make to ask others you know for support would also be a tremendous help. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Please return the sponsor form below along with your donation to my home address, which is shown in the header of this letter. If there is someone whom you would like me to complete this triathlon for who suffers from cancer like Nick, Dianne, and Christy, please share their name (along with any information you would like to add about him/her) on the sponsor form as well. Between now and May 24 I will create a jersey/uniform/etc. to honor those whom I will be competing for during the triathlon. By the way your company may match your contribution, ask your HR department if they do. Call me at 814-454-7613 or e-mail me at andrewschoppe@yahoo.com if you have additional questions, advice, or comments. I will be sure to update you on the preparation for and completion of the Memphis in May Triathlon in May! Thank you ahead of time for your generosity. May 2004 be a blessed year for you and those near and dear to you. Hope all is well and look forward to hearing from you! Best wishes, Andrew Crazy Andrew, what will you think of doing next!?! I would like to join you in supporting the search to find a cure for cancer. I have enclosed a donation for: Remember all donations are 100% tax deductible ڤ$52 = $1 per km in the race and some extra change $86 = for a monthly blood analysis $67 = screening for a bone marrow donor $210 = support a medical researcher for a day $20 = $1 per week of Triathlon training in 2004 $ ____ = be creative and set your own ___ = amount you collect from others Check enclosed payable to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society _______________________________________ _____________________________________________ Name E-mail Mailing Address Please include your address so I can send you the results of my fundraising and running accomplishments in May. |