A year and a half ago, Wil and I participated in the Avon 3 day breast cancer walk. We didn’t know anyone with breast cancer. We just wanted to help raise money for research and be part of the walk-a thon. It was by far the most incredible experience of our lives. Between the two of us, we raised over $17,000. We always knew we’d do something like this again.
What I didn’t realize, was that I would be doing something like this because one of my very close friends, Kris, would be diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. My 45 year old friend, a wife, a mother of two, an active, loved member of the community, was just diagnosed with a life threatening disease.
Kris went to the doctor just before Labor Day weekend to pick up some antibiotics before heading out of town with her family. She hadn’t been feeling well and just assumed it was some kind of infection. The doctor wanted to do a blood test just to make sure everything was alright. After the weekend, she was called by her doctor to come in immediately, and to bring her husband because something was wrong with her blood. A bone marrow test confirmed the doctor’s suspicion. Leukemia. She received the news and was told to be at the hospital by the end of the day to spend a month doing chemotherapy.
After the month of treatment, and two separate week long treatments, along with several blood and platelet transfusions, Kris is in remission. Her doctor at City of Hope Cancer Hospital wants to do a stem cell transplant on her now because she’s doing so well. This gives her a better chance of the leukemia not returning.
For the week prior to her stay at City of Hope, Kris was taking anti-seizure medication and going to her doctor to do chemotherapy tests before beginning her intensive treatment. When she begins her stay on February 13, she will be doing several days of chemotherapy followed by several days of full body radiation therapy. Then they will transplant the stem cells they harvested from her (she was not a match with her brother, children, or the National Donor Registry). This option gives her a better chance of her body not rejecting the transplant. Then the slow recovery begins.
It has been the most difficult thing in the world to see Kris go through this. She is a very strong person and I have no doubt this will just be another one of life’s obstacles she hurdles right over. But to feel so helpless at doing anything for her has been the hardest part.
Which is why Wil and I decided we would be part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s marathon. We will be walking 26.2 miles in San Diego this June to help raise money for a cure. Since we can’t donate our blood (not the right type) we can at least donate our feet. Our goal is to raise $25,000. A very small percentage of the daily funding needed for research.
Kris is so happy we are doing this in her honor. She already plans on being at the finish line with us so we can all celebrate this huge victory.
Here’s a link to our Team In Training Homepage. Please visit it, and help us reach our goal. Kris, along with thousands of other people dealing with this disease, need our help and encouragement.
Wil here, with a final thought: We kicked massive ass in the Avon 3 Day, and raised over 17,000 dollars in about six months. My stats tell me that about half a million different people read this site each month. Even more read it through various forms of syndication. Can you imagine how much we could do if you all kicked in a dollar, or two dollars? If every person who visits this site were to collect change and stuff for a day, and sponsor us for that amount, we would, together, contribute over ONE MILLION DOLLARS to help fund research that could save Kris’s life.
Think about the power you have. Isn’t it wonderful?
123 thoughts on “Comments from the wife, version 3.0”
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hey wil and anne,
thank you so much for doing what you are doing, and for bringing it to our attention. It is truly awesome, and will make such a difference. unfortunatly, being in UK, i have to wait until the pay pal is set up! then you’ll definately get my donation.
I’m sending huge amounts of mojo over for Kris. i hope she gets better soon.
from
Rach
I’m in for $5. Wish it could be more, but everything helps. Here’s to beating the $1 million mark and giving cancer an ass kicking.
Best wishes for your friend’s recovery, Anne.
David,
I think most of us can respect that. It’s not my belief, but it’s one I understand well. To philosophize for a moment, one of the thornier moral issues of our day seems to be deciding what deserves human consideration. A fetus? A cow? Personally, I won’t harm an animal without need, but sacrificing a few lab animals for leukemia research seems like a fair bargain. A lot of lab animals for cosmetics research, no. But I respect your opinion as well.
Wil,
Don’t forget that many companies match donations. You might want to add that reminder to your fundraising plea.
There are procedures and rules for this, so the giver should check the rules before sending the money.
Also, I checked the IRS 990 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and it looks OK – about 75% of the money spent goes to programs (the rest is fundraising and Administrative) The BBB requires 65% or better for their approval (plus a bunch of other standards.)
The BBB report is at:
http://www.give.org/reports/care_dyn.asp?256
and the IRS 990 is at:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/graphics/National/LLS2002Form990c2.pdf
I’ll be sending a company check to the address that vanyelgh provided previously – I’ll include a note so you should get credit. [My wife owns the company and I’m the only employee, so I don’t think I’ll have any trouble getting approval. (I’ll probably have some additional “tasks” at the office to earn this favor from the boss – but I’ll endure them for this cause.)]
Brian
My donation is in. Happy Valentine’s Day, Anne. 🙂
I’m a lucky individual that was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in an early stage back when I was in high school. Because of the early detection, I only had to do surgery and radiation.
That was more than 20 years ago now, and I’m still here and healthy. There is hope, people!
I am getting my PhD in molecular biology and my research concerns cancer. While my lab doesn’t have a grant from the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society, we do get grants from The Susan G. Komen group as well as the Breast Cancer Research Association. I’m here at work on Saturday, and I just wanted to say thank you for doing things like this. I wanted to let the people know who donate money to these foundations that we’re working our tails off (except while we’re reading wilwheaton dot net).
Hello Wil,
I have Hairy Cell Leukemia. I have been through the chemo in December 2002..and I received 19 units of blood in a 9 week period. I thank you and your wife very much for participating in the marathon and raising money for research. I will send along my little bit of donation very shortly. I can’t afford much because of the bills for treatment, but I will gather up all the change I can find to send along with you.
Once again. Thank you very much Anne and Wil.
Tammie
Dear Wil & Anne ,
I would really like to help and I will see what I can give, since I can’t give much due to the exchange rate (I’m from Israel) and the fact that I’m just your ordenary person, wife w/ kid and mortgage, both me and hubby work to pay the bills, you know how it goes.
I’m sorry to hear of your friends illness, but it sounds like she has a good prognosis. I wish her a speedy recovery from the upcoming treatment.
I feel very strongly about such things as they touch all of us, and it touched my family, both my parant’s have had cancer…my father, bless him is fine today, fully recovered. My mother however was not as fortunate, she had breast cancer 16 years ago and than again on the other side 3 years ago, she passed away last year (on Feb. 13th, 03) due to complications from the treatment (that’s our guess). Her kids, me and my 3 brothers, were older but it still hurts and does put life in a different prespective. My son (who’s my first child) at the time was 3 weeks old and if it wasn’t for him I don’t know what would have become of me. I was very close and attached to her. I go on with life, but sometimes I wonder, …I think sometimes I live for his sake and my dad’s sake, for I do miss her awful.
Anyway, I rambelled on. If my few $$$ can help you collect for research than you can count on me.
I wish this illness could be cured for good! Keep up the good work. I’ll donate in honor of my mother, Laura Grobler.
Wil & Anne Your friend Kris is in My Prayers
Hi,
I would like to donate, but it doesn’t seem to be set up to take donations from Canada. Any suggestions?
Arwen
My grandmother died of multiple myeloma in 1990 (a week after my college graduation), and I walked the Maui Marathon in 2001 (in her honor) for Team in Training, and it was an incredible experience. I wish I could donate to you, but alas I have been unemployed for the past 2 years. My thoughts will be with you as you train. Good luck.
Do you have a p.o. box or something so that I could just send you my donation? I don’t have credit cards, or paypal, but I would really love to donate.
I have been a fan of yours for years! I really enjoy this site, and I think you and Anne are simply amazing people. Please let Kris know that she is in my thoughts and prayers, and good luck with your training!
Ann & Wil,
We just found out our 50 yo friend, Marie, has been diagnosed with AML. She has only been in the hospital for 3 weeks and her treatment sounds about parallel with Kris’s.
We just started hearing about the 3 day walks taking place again this year but we didn’t know the funds raised went to treat leukemias as well.
Thanks for the boot in the pants. We are also plannning a local fundraiser to help Marie meet some of her expenses after she is released and still unable to work full time.
She is a wonderful heart and a local musician who plays in the bar we own. Christine Havrilla has also expressed interest in helping our mutual friend.
Send us some MOJO. And make sure you tell people that whatever they can do makes a difference in not only the lives of the people who need them but their own as well.
Peace.
Jim & Richie
Wil/Anne,
I do not have much money, but I am willing to give Kris my bone marrow. I am A+ if she needs my blood, and she can have my plasma as well. While I may need a little of it, Kris needs it more. I live in Wisconsin, but have no problem with traveling to get to you. I understand cancer, and it is a horrible thing. If there is anything else that I can do(other than monetary donations), then please let me know. I hope all the best for all of you.
Sincerely,
Artemis Jade Wetzel
I lost my grandfather to lung cancer in ’91 and my husband lost his best friend to luekemia in 2000. We are both members of the NDR but have yet been called to donate. I’ve sent in my donation, hope it helps. Good luck to you and God Bless.
Wil/Anne,
You both are so great for doing this. I gave what I could but wanted to say you both are amazing and I’m so happy to read your latest entry that Kris got to go home. That’s so wonderful. I lost my dad to lung cancer a little over a year ago and I hope that one day they can find a cure for all of this. I hope you exceed your goal!!
I ran for team in training last june in the marathon in Anchorage. It was the best experience of my life. Good luck to you both.
Great! I have been thinking of walking across the country to raise money to battle cancer and other things. But, I do not have a clue how to get it organized so one can do it. I guess I’d need some sponser for one so I could afford it. Any suggestions?
Though I doubt he’ll be back to read this, in response to David’s concerns on use of animals in cancer research (way above) –
I’m not sure how the Leukemia Research Foundation operates, but I can tell you that all research grants funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society go through an extensive screening process. Not only are all grants and applicants screened by a panel of experts, lead by some of the country’s best and brightest scientists and oncologists, applications must provide for some sort of alternative to animal testing, such as use of computer models, etc. If applicants don’t offer alternative methods of testing, they must explain why and be able to justify the use of animals in their research – specifying what types of animals they will use, how many and what exactly will be involved in the testing.
The panel’s priority is to fund sound medical research that does not require use of animal testing – and if it must, that the animal testing involve minimal pain or harm to the fewest number of animals possible. However, once in a while a grant will come along that absolutely requires testing of animals before a medication can be cleared to go to clinical trials – one such example is Gleevec, a revolutionary “cancer pill” that many leukemia patients – and now survivors – will tell you is well worth whatever harm came to a few mice along the way.
It’s a harsh reality one faces when dealing with these fatal illnesses. But I can tell you right now that if you were forced to sacrifice a hamster or two to save the life of a 7-year old child (who, say, has a permanent SPIGOT attached in his flesh so that doctors can more easily go in for spinal taps on a regular basis; who maybe can’t go to school for months at a time when he’s on his chemo; who probably didn’t CHOOSE to live his young life this way, but smiles and does the best he can anyway) and I assure you – you’ll sacrifice those hamsters every damn time.
Anne and Wil,
I think what you guys are doing here is really awesome! You have taken an opportunity to make a difference in a big way.
And you’ve blown right past your goal as well! 🙂
This sort of thing means so much to me as I’m a rookie survivor myself; almost a year now since I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I don’t think Dr. Crusher (I know, I know – couldn’t resist!) could’ve done any better than my team of docs, as I’m in remission! Feeling good, feeling strong, growing hair!
Now I’m on a mission to bring a smile to those who have/are fighting cancer – patients and survivors. If I can give them a moment where they forget the pain of it all, a moment when they can laugh and smile, even if it’s just a temporary rest from the strain of it all, then I’ve done my job! http://www.gotCancer.org – all the good stuff happens there. A portion of the funds raised there will go to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society – an organization that I’m helping as well.
Good luck and thanks for your efforts!
Looking forward to reading about how it goes!
Larry
As a cancer (acute leukemia) survivor myself, I do not believe that doctors and medicine are the best cure. After 2 years of doctor’s appointments, hospitalization and of course chemotherapy, and numerous surgeries in which a small box was implanted in my chest to more easily withdraw blood and inject medication. That didn’t cover the spinal taps, those were still done every week by sticking a needle (not sure how long seeing as I was already knocked out) in the middle of my lower back. I lost all of my hair, including facial and all other body hair.
Everything seemed to be going great until the 3rd year I went into relapse. This relapse included all of what I had already been through plus radiation which after my hair had already fully grown back fell out again. The more treatments I went through the weaker I became.
Finally my parents decided to take me out of all my treatments and left my life in God’s hands fully knowing that I may not survive. Along with my father’s help and the help of natural medicines my life was saved. It’s been 10 years since all of that happened. Even though I’ll never really be the same person again, I’ll never be able to bear children, and my skin was pretty much ruined from the radiation, I’m glad to be here, if not for anything else to help others. Unfortunately I am not allowed to donate blood for obvious reasons. If by telling this story I can help anyone out then that’s one more person saved. Just in case you’re wondering I was 8 when I was diagnosed with cancer. So at 11 was when I was taken out of chemo. I’m 21 now. Who would’ve thought I’d make it this far?
Not everyone believes in these methods of natural healing and such, so for those who need the help of doctors and medicines, my heart and soul go out to all of those who need it.
It is very commendable that you have joined the fight to find a cure for leukemia. Until May 19th, 2004 I can honestly say that I knew no one with this disease. That coincides with the day I found out my dad had leukemia. He passed away a week later.
Thank you for donating your time and energy to this noble and worthy cause.
Mark Hannay
Seattle, WA
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