I can’t believe it is already June! Our local school is out this Friday and I am looking forward to our summer plans!!!

As a Friends of Heroes team captain, summer also signifies the ideal time for me to prepare for Light The Night fundraising. I mentioned last summer that it’s easy to get in a “fundraising rut“, but we can accomplish our goals with a little preparation and a positive frame of mind.

As always, Friends of Heroes continues to inspire me. Three of our walkers have already begun fundraising for Light The Night: Alison Bazeley, Kathie Eberlie and Beck Marko. They have each raised over $300 this year. Way to go!!!! And kudos to those in the preparation stage who will give them a run for their money ;)

Connecting with personal stories is vital to remaining motivated to fundraise. It all began with sweet Allie Scott and Sam Eisenburg, yet it did not stop there. This past month, I was touched by two stories that have reminded me why our efforts to raise money and awareness for Light The Night and blood cancers is so very important.

In 2005, I attended our LTN Kick-Off and sat next to Anne, one our chapter’s fundraising coaches for TNT. From that first meeting, I knew she lived and breathed fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and her enthusiasm was infectious! This year, when I was asked to work alongside of Anne on our local Friends & Family Committee, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to learn from her.

Three weeks ago, I was shocked to hear that she was diagnosed with leukemia for the first time. Not that all of her volunteer work with the Society would have protected her from a leukemia diagnosis, but it was a reminder that none of us are immune. Anne was taken a few hours away to UCSF Cancer Center where she was treated with a very intensive chemotherapy protocol. Thankfully, her bone marrow biopsy showed minimal leukemia cells and hopefully her doctor will declare remission if her next biopsy continues on this trend.

I also heard from one of my very close friends from high school this month. His younger brother, Michael, was diagnosed with pediatric leukemia shortly after our high school graduation. I have thought of Michael many times during my fundraising events and LTN walks. After a bone marrow transplant from their youngest sister, Michael successfully went into remission. My friend thankfully confirmed that Michael currently has been disease-free for over ten years.

Research funding from the Society has contributed to many oncology research developments: from chemotherapy and leukemia treatments to platelet pherisis technology to bone marrow transplant procedures. Because of the cutting-edge, life saving research done over the past five decades, patients like Anne and Michael can have hope for a lasting cure.

As Friends of Heroes we have much to be proud of: we have raised an inspirational $959,000 toward blood cancer patient services and research! With your support, each of you makes an incredible impact on the lives that are being saved daily.

Please join us this year, whether you are new to Friends of Heroes or a member from the Allie’s Angels – Friends of Allie – Friends of Heroes team. Help us to make a difference. Help us to fund cures that will save lives. Register to be part of our amazing team of LIFE SAVERS and to be a huge force for good.

On behalf of Anne, Michael, their families and many others like theirs, THANK YOU for helping to find a cure.

By Jenn B., Co-Captain