Help Cover Noah's Walls

Our Team in Training Spring Run/Walk 11 year-old Honored Hero Noah Kiser (nephew of Pam who is on the team too, pictured above) needs our help! Noah was diagnosed with ALL June 2011 and has been in and out of the hospital since due to both regular treatment and complications. He is back in the hospital with a serious infection in his lungs and sinuses. A biopsy has been done to determine the nature of the infection but the family will not get results for a few days. Noah is sleeping most of the day but when he wakes he is, of course, confused and unhappy.

Pam would like his walls to be covered with “Get Well” and “Thinking of you” cards to help ease some of this pain when he wakes and let him know that he has an entire TEAM by his side.

It's super easy to send a card. Just click on the link below. Noah is in room 237. The hospital will print the cards and deliver them to Noah's room! You can read more about Noah on his caringbridge site.

NOTE: The link to send a card was removed. They were overwhelmed (a good thing)!

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Prayers for Nory

Meet Nory Mae...I first heard about Nory on February 15 from a friend, Berkley. Berkley mentioned Nory at dinner as she is friends with the parents (they are from the area) and that the doctors couldn't determine what was wrong with her...she is only 2 years old.

The next morning Berkley posted on Facebook that Nory was diagnosed with CML (Chronic myelogenous leukemia). A type of leukemia that is normally seen in older adult males. My heart went out to her family and I just couldn't believe that another child was going to have to battle cancer. The good news was that CML is treatable long term (in most cases you can live with it) as in your take chemo at certain times the rest of your life. Seems strange you can live with cancer but the more I find out about blood cancers the more I see this.

However, 2 days later Nory's parents received more news...and news they weren't hoping for. The oncologists believe that she has an underlying issue called MDS that caused the CML. But with this condition the leukemia will eventually become AML (Acute myelogenous leukemia) and the best cure for many patients with AML is a bone marrow transplant...so the search for a bone marrow match began.

I immediately reached out to the family to help and Nory's parents asked (if needed) would I help with a bone marrow drive. Our Triathlon mentor, Bill, jumped on board too. He is a survivor himself and has CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and contacted the necessary parties to get things moving.

BUT...it just so happens that one of Nory's brother's is a MATCH! This is incredible news and a true gift from God. The study I read states there is about a 35% chance that siblings are a match.

As of today, that is all I know. I follow her story and all the updates on their FB page. Bill (our mentor) and I hope that we will meet them soon and have included Nory in our honored heros. Bill has dedicated his training this season to Nory!

I know (like most of you) that no parent EVER wants to hear the words "Your child has cancer" but I believe that something good comes can come from this and that is the friends, family and even strangers that surround that family when they are most in need. I believe that is God...holding that child and family as close to him as possible and showing them the vast network of individuals that will help them get through this journey.

So what am I asking?

• First and foremost I'm asking that you add Nory Mae and her family to your prayer list.
• Second consider becoming a donor for Be the Match.
• Third if you are able please make a small donation to our fundraising efforts in honor of Nory and her journey to becoming cancer-free.

If you'd like more information on blood cancers and current statistics please download Facts 2012 published by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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Scent-sational Fundraiser

A brief update on our training and fundraising. We had our first team swim this past weekend and it went very well. Will and I have not swam as a "sport" before so this was a new experience for both of us. Overall I think we did well...and look forward to adding swimming to our training. This weekend we will be back on our bikes for a team ride and looking forward to it. For me personally, training for 3 sports is time consuming...my training days have gone from 3 to 5 overnight and most days start at 5:00am...therefore, my head hits the pillow soon after the kids are in bed. No more late nights for us

In regards to fundraising we have raised $1939.73! I can't thank our family and friends enough for their support...but we still have $1800 to go so I''ve taken on a new opportunity that will help us reach our goal...with a LITTLE HELP FROM YOU...

I have become a Scentsy Consultant. I'm sure many of you have heard of Scentsy but if not - Scentsy is a safe, wickless alternative to scented candles. The top-of-the-line scented wax is heated by a light bulb instead of a traditional wick...in a decorative warmer. There are also several other products that will add warmth to your home and everyday life. Many of you know how sensitive I am to smells (candles, sprays, perfumes) and the reason I became a consultant is because Scentsy is one of the only scented products that I can have in our home. You can see my 4 favorite products in the photo.

I am have OPEN PARTY online where you can browse & BUY. It is called Team Bacon - Team in Training. All products are 10% off during the month of February.

ALL PROFITS from my first online party will go directly into Team Bacon's fundraising account . Think about what's ahead...so buy now and save...teacher gifts, mother's day gifts, etc. Remember you are helping a great cause while also getting an awesome product so please take a few moments and browse the site...I promise you will find something you can't live without.

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Our Honored Heros NEED YOUR HELP!

You might have heard in the news recently there is currently a crisis-level shortage of one of the most important medicines required for every Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia protocol: Methotrexate (MTX). Every patient with ALL has this drug in their protocol and even with its ugly side effects it is needed to save lives.

The photo above is a picture of MTX that Grayson is receiving each week.

Please visit the following blogs of our honored heros and take action now! The petitions and letters to your local senators and representatives take a few minutes out of your day but could GIVE A CHILD THEIR LIFETIME!

Just today, Wednesday February 15 Grayson was called in a day early to receive his high dose Methotrexate due to the shortage. Luckily he made counts and is able to receive it and the hospital is aware of the situation and how frightened patients and parents are becoming.

Georgia's Blog - links to CureSearch & St. Baldricks where you simply sign in to send the letters. The blog also has news reports and articles on how serious this is. Georgia's mom, Courtney is very knowledgeable and has done research and is open to answering any questions so please visit the blog.

Grayson's Blog - links to the petition and a personal message from Grayson's mom, Kalee. You can also see some pictures of what is it like for children with leukemia to go through treatments.

LLS Advocacy Community - Take action against drug shortages

Again, please take a moment out of your day to help children like Georgia and Grayson! Your help is greatly appreciated...and please spread the word!

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GForce Running Shirts

We are offering GForce running/technical shirts that will support Will and I's triathlon fundraising as well as Grayson's family...so you are helping both of us!

You may order these "super-power" running shirts through February 23. We have four styles all offered in white with green print for $30 each.

If you need help with sizing please email and we can send you the spec sheets.

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World Cancer Day

Saturday, February 4, 2012 is World Cancer Day. It is the occasion to unite the world in the fight against the disease through raising awareness, educating the public, and lobbying for change. It is only by every person, organization, and government, individually doing their part, that the world will be able to reduce the global cancer burden.

In regards to childhood cancer research I urge you to read a letter written by the Executive Director of St. Baldrick's that Georgia's mom posted on her blog. The letter speaks of how little childhood cancer is funded...to be exact it receives only 4% of the federal cancer research funding. The letter goes on to say that the 4% is subject to being cut again which means that those parents whose children are fighting for their young lives will now have even less resources and less funding going towards a cure.

NOW would be a good time to MAKE A CHANGE...so I ask you to do make a decision and do something on WORLD CANCER DAY that benefits those fighting this dreadful disease we call cancer. Obviously donations to a reputable cancer non-profit or research group make a huge difference but if you've already donated and want to do something different...please consider some other options below:

1. Make a donation to our fundraising efforts for the Captex Triathlon
2. Join Team in Training and see for yourself what its all about
3. Consider shaving your head for St. Baldricks
4. Volunteer your time by writing letters with Chemo Angels
5. Donate beads to Bead of Courage
6. Sign up to be a bone marrow donor at Be the Match

Whatever you do...please do something because YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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