Hi everybody –

Pardon this intrusion on the gcc email system, but this is bike related and something very important to me personally.  Below is a letter from my daughter, Anna, appealing for funds for her Leukemia Team in Training century that I wanted to pass along to all of you.

I know that we all get numerous appeals for donations and I am reluctant to send this one along.  But I know how great the Gainesville biking community is and how supportive you have all been for my son Ben in his struggle with leukemia.  I am a GCC member as is my son, Joseph.  Many of you may know Joe, he rides a lot when he’s home from college (tall, skinny, usually wears a t-shirt instead of a jersey, likes to talk the entire ride, and very, very fast!!)  All of my kids were born and raised in Gainesville and have been life-long runners and bikers. 

In case you missed it, here is a recent Gainesville Sun article about Ben:  

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070121/SPORTS/701210340/-1/sports

Thank you very much!!  See you out on the roads – Chris Brew  (please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.)

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, my youngest brother Ben was diagnosed with leukemia on September 5, 2005.  Ben has always been a tough kid. As soon as he was old enough to walk he was trying out every sport imaginable.  He took the training wheels of his bike when he was three years old.  He started beating me in wrestling matches when he was only half my size.  He beat grown men in road races when he was in elementary school.  An instant prodigy at any feat of strength attempted, Ben was blindsided by one of the most formidable challenges imaginable when he found out he had leukemia.  A senior at Gainesville High and captain of his soccer team, Ben’s life was changed forever, as were the lives of all the people who love him.   

To say that the last 16 months have been tough for Ben is a HUGE understatement, but it’s impossible to describe the extent of what Ben has faced and overcome.  Everyday since the diagnosis Ben has continued to awe us all with his guts and endurance.  Ben is now in remission and has less than a year of chemotherapy remaining.  He’s back in school and was able to play in one last high school soccer game last month (after practically being bedridden for more than a year)-- AND he scored a goal!

In honor of Ben’s relentless strength, I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training Program.  I am training to complete a 100-mile bike race in Montauk, NY on May 20th.  As a member of the New York City Chapter of Team in Training, I am raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  The money I raise will be used to directly support the Society’s mission to cure leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families through support services, educational programs, and patient financial aid.

In late January, when I committed to train for the Montauk Century Ride, I committed to raise at least $2,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In the few weeks that have passed since I made that commitment, I have been absolutely amazed and humbled by people's generosity. The donations keep rolling in and the training/fundraising season has only just begun.

$2,500—my initial fundraising goal-- is the fundraising minimum for the Montauk Century ride.  Recently, I had a revelation: why shoot for the minimum?

This cause (finding a cure for blood cancers) warrants going above and beyond... So I've decided to try for a much larger goal: $10,000. At four times the minimum, I know this is an ambitious sum.  But I also know that that kind of money could make a huge difference for people living with blood cancers.  

Can you help?

If 100 people donate one dollar for each of the 100 miles I ride on May 20th, I will reach my goal.  I would be deeply grateful for donations of any size knowing that every donation brings us closer to better treatment for Ben and the over 35,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with leukemia this year.    

Thank you for reading this e-mail and for considering this opportunity to help advance the research and treatment of blood cancers.  To make a donation, visit my fundraising website by the end of April:

www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycAbrew1

Or, if you prefer, you may write a check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and send it to me at:

208 E 82nd St, #22
New York, NY 10028

Be sure to check my site frequently for updates on my fundraising and training progress!  

I deeply appreciate your willingness to help and your generosity.

Sincerely,

Anna Brew
 
P.S.  Another way to help is by spreading the word!  Do you know anyone else who might be interested in donating to this cause?  Feel free to forward this e mail along.