Comments from the wife, version 3.0

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”

  2. Oh my gods and goddess’s. You both are totally awesome. Next time I have a bit of change, I’ll pitch in a bit to sponsor you. Good luck and let Kris know she’s in my thoughts. 🙂

  5. You guys RULE! It’s been like . . . twenty minutes? And you have already donated over 100 bucks!
    We’re going to do something wonderful, you guys.
    Thank you. You’ve already brought tears to my eyes.

  7. Robin: I’m sure that others will feel the same way as you, so I’ll set something up where y’all can pay pal to me, and I’ll make the donation myself in the name of WWdN or something like that. I’m pretty sure that would mean the actual people who donate would lose the deduction, though. :/

  8. Oh man. You two, Kris, and everyone have my deepest sympathy. My mom had tandem stem cell transplants at City of Hope, though she had inflammatory breast cancer, the summer of 2002 and I was her caregiver. I

  11. Wil/Anne-
    You guys are the people we all wish we could be. Kicked some cash your way so we can kick some leukemia ass! Rock hard and walk far!!

  12. Cancer is SOOOO scary. I pray all the time that we find a cure. The things people have to go through just to go in remission with no guarentee that it won’t come back is awful. I wonder sometimes why God gave us this horrible illness but I guess He has His reasons. You’ve got my dollars.
    Give my best to Kris.

  13. I always have extra mojo and a few dollars for a good cause! My family has been touched by cancer! Cancer is something we desperatly need to continue to raise money for, so we can continue to research and hopefully find a cure for all mankind!

  14. Anne and Wil,
    I’d love to be able to donate to your cause, but the Team In Training website doesn’t make any sort of allowances for donations from outside the US territories.
    I live in Canada and would gladly like to donate some money to help you reach your goals.
    Is there an alternate method with which I can send you my contribution?
    Good luck in your training and know that thousands of people from all over the world will be thinking of Kris, Wil and yourself as you do your parts to help crush cancer!

  18. Wil and Anne,
    Count on my support and I’d prefer PayPal as well, but whatever you work out I’ll conform to.
    However, you have a bad link in the article. The link to your training page is
    hhttp://www.teamintraining.org/personalpages/homepage.adp?user_id=166987
    with an extra ‘h’ at the beginning. Perhaps an edit?
    cheers,
    chris

  20. Hey Wil. You should set up a paypal account for this. It’ll make it really easy for people to donate and they may even be able to donate more often because paypal is so easy to use.

  21. Dear Wil & Anne,
    I’ll be glad to kick in my two cents. So to speak. Just let me know where to sign up.
    Good MOJO to your friend Kris. Lots of luck and wera comfortable shoes.
    Bart

  23. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!11
    Anne and I are BLOWN AWAY by your generosity.
    We are working on a Pay Pal solution, for international readers, and folks who would rather donate that way. We should have that taken care of in a day or so.
    And thank you to Chris, who pointed out out extra “h” in the RSS feed. 🙂

  24. Another vote for a paypal account option here.
    Thanks, Anne and Wil, for bringing this issue to attention. Besides the donation, lots of mojo is headed Kris’ way — and to all who are dealing with cancer.

  25. Well, now I know what to do with my tax return! Financially, I’m doing OK (regular paychecks pay all my bills with a bit left over for savings) so I thought I’d use my tax return to help out some others. Rather than making a bunch of small donations to several organizations as I usually do, I thought I’d just give the whole thing to one super cool organization this year. I was actually going to post something in the ‘box asking for some help in deciding what organization to donate to. Now I know! Once I have received my return, I will donate the whole thing to this cause. It’s not as much as I’ve gotten in previous years, but its a few hundred bucks that will do a lot more good in this effort than if I kept it to get DVDs and videogames for myself.

  27. Well, I’m just a poor college student, but my parents just sent me a semi-random money gift. I was going to buy a few books, but hey, I’ve got a library on campus, don’t I? So it’s yours – or rather, the Lymphoma Society’s, I guess. Just glad I could give a little bit to help.

  28. Hey, Wil & Anne! My aunt died of leukemia. Participating in the walk and raising money through WWDN is a great idea! I like the team training page, too. It makes it so easy to donate! I’ll be sure to spread the word.

  29. When you get the PayPal method setup, I’ll happily donate. But if you can’t get it setup within the next couple days, I’ll go use their site. At least personally, I’m not concerned with the tax write-off at all. First time commenter (I think), but I’ve always been a fan (I felt like I was Ensign Crusher), and I’m an even bigger fan now. Keep on keepin’ on, dude.

  30. Hey guys, give Kris my regards and let her know she is in my prayers. I had two grandfather’s die of cancer and a cousin that beat leukemia. I hope my donation helps you reach your goal. Remember, keep smiling! 🙂

  31. Hey, its been worth 10 bucks to read this website the past year, so I’ve given that. I hope others take your point and just give a buck or two. Your Valentine’s Day writing was worth that for the smile it put on my face. Good luck to you both and I’ll try and wave as ya run on by 🙂 [Tell us what you’ll be wearing!]

  32. Okay, just dropped a $50 in the bucket. Yeah, it’s tough for me, but both my grandparents had cancer and survived, as did one of my very good friends. And my mom. So this is just my way of saying thanks.

  33. A very noble gesture. Seriously. Wil, I was a fan STNG, and have been a fan of WWDN since I have discovered it. I am 43 years old, married 16 years to the same person, two children (7&12), and try to live my life to the personal ideals I have developed through my years to the best of my ability. In December, I was diagnosed with a cancer called Multiple Myeloma. It is also a blood cancer like leukemia, unfortunately it is incurable at this time. Statistical reality tells me what a man who bets, looks at odds, and makes his best informed decision based on all that what my ‘most likely’ future holds. Much like ‘the flop, the turn, and the river’ intangibles out of my hands can change it, but what is inevitable at this time is inevitable.
    My hope for success for Kris is huge, and my appreciation for your work and gathering help is enourmous.
    Allen
    One day I had all the time in the world, and the next day that turned into a few years. Probably.

  34. Long time reader… first time commenter!
    What you two are doing is so full of heart and generosity it’s making me misty. My grandmother died of leukemia back in ’96, long before stem cell research and all the major advances in cancer research. I’ll definitely wrangle up my spare change and help out, even if I am another poor college student. Hopefully all the effort that everyone is putting into all this helps us reach that goal just a little faster. You guys rock!

  35. I would love to help out and abuse my dad’s credit card, but that site only seems to allow for US donations, since it requires addresses and stuff.. How do I get around that?
    Let me know!
    Bless you two! And Kris!!!
    Love,
    Patty

  36. Wil, you and Anne are awsome! If more people would step forward like you guys, just think how many lives could be saved!
    When it comes to leukemia, you just can’t stress the importance of blood donations enough. Especially platelet donation. Donating platelets takes longer than whole blood (approx. 1.5-2.5 hours) but to get the same amount of platelets by separating the components of whole blood, you would need 8-16 pints of whole blood. That means increased risk for the recipient because there are more donors involved.
    Also, the 56 day wait between blood donations is for your body to restore the red cells and the iron. Since you receive all your red cells back during platelet donation, you can donate every 2 weeks instead of every 2 months. Also, you can often give 2 pints of platelets instead of just one. So in one year, you could donate 48 pints of platelets. It is a bit of a time commitment, but the center I go to does a great job of making sure you are as comfortable as possible. They even have computers on the chairs so you can watch a DVD or cruise the ‘net during your donation!
    If any of your readers are in Minneapolis, these are the people they need to contact to set up an appointment: http://www.memorialbloodcenters.org/MBC/DesktopDefault.aspx
    When my tax refund shows up in a couple weeks I’ll be sending some of it your way! Also, Kris will be in my prayers.

  37. Life has no coincedences. This month marks the 21st anniversary of loosing my Momma to lymphoma. I will certainly be donating at the first of the month.
    Your friend is lucky to have you. While everyone hates cancer, it is hard for most to actually deal with those going through it. and their families. Lifelong friends of mine turned away when my mother was ill. I was her only child and the only one left to care for her (cancer claimed ALL the siblings of my parents, and both of them). It is such an isolating feeling at times, caring for cancer victims. You have my upmost respect for your actions and feelings.
    Many blessings

  38. Anne.. I wish your friend the best of luck with the transplant. I hope all goes well. Please keep us updated on how she is doing.
    Wil..Please let us know when you have the paypal details worked out. You can count on the hubby and I to help out.
    I am glad to be a part of such a wonderful effort.
    You both Rawk!

  39. I lost my grandmother to breast cancer (1963)
    my uncle to brain cancer (2002)
    and now my father has cancer of the bladder…
    the tumor has blocked the “plumbing” preventing
    normal kidney function and may spread to the kidney if not operated opon…VERY SOON!
    SO…. funds are very tight as the parents are
    on limited “funds”
    I will check my funds and see what I can spare…

  41. Can’t wait til you get the PayPal set up, I’m amazed in this day and age they don’t have provisions for overseas donors!? Good for you guys, hope you reach your goal and then some!

  42. I rarely add a comment, but this just can’t be ignored. I am a chronic myeloid leukemia patient currently in remission and I just wanted to thank you both. You guys are friggin awesome for doing this. I am really at a loss for words right now, so I hope you two understand what this means to me. Thank goodness for people like you, because this lazy ass doesn’t have the drive to do anything like this.
    I myself am currently waiting for a donor match for a bone marrow transplant. But don’t worry about me, because I am doing extremely well and can afford to wait for a match. Thanks again to you and all those who donated and plan to donate to this cause. For anyone interested in more ways to help, please visit this site:
    http://www.marrow.org/HELP/how_to_help_idx.html
    WWdN rules!

  43. Hi Will & Anne,
    Just to let you know that you got a donation all the way from South Africa. It wasn’t much, but I hope it helps.
    The PayPal solution wouldn’t work for us here because PayPal don’t seem to like us South African’s (they won’t let us use them at all), but the Training site took my donation ok. Have you thought of using Amazon’s donation system? (it works for us South African’s, unlike PayPal)
    Cheers.
    From
    Paul

  45. Hey Wil and Anne
    Another vote for International payment as I’m in the UK, and trying to use the option of Outlying American Islands didnt work on your training page 🙂
    Kate

  46. Anne / Wil,
    Now this is a noble cause!
    I know your on the job with the paypal account and as soon as its ready I am there baby!
    The UK branch of Wils posse is ready and waiting to help. Just give us the means.

  47. Haven’t posted before but I am from the UK too, my husband and I don’t have much but I’d like to contribute something. I worked in a Specialised Radiotherapy Hospital for two years and my husband has worked there for 16 years. Cancer is terrible, no doubt. But the one thing that I found amazing, was that the patients were total heroes.
    Forget any hero you think is brave, these people have an idea when their number is up. It’s like they become a cyclops and can only see their own end. But they still go on. Through strength of spirit I am sure some kick cancer in the proverbial butt when all the odds are against them and for that, and the fact I actually come to your site when I feel lost and low :o) I’ll donate once there is an International method.
    Thanks to Anne and Wil my faith in the human race has been restored a little!

  49. Dear Anne & Wil,
    Thanks for spearheading a wonderful effort for a really important cause.
    I will support you guys in every way I can, including with my wallet.
    This touches me directly because my grandmother (my inspiration and a key role model) passed away in 1999. She had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia less than 6 months before she passed.
    Thanks so much.

  50. Hey guys,
    You are doing a wonderful job. As of 4:30am MDT (I know it’s ungodly early….baby is awake), you already have raised over $1000!! I’ve added my contribution, and I hope you get sooo many more.
    Good Luck!

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