Amy Swisher's Team In Training Pledge Site
January 2004
Dear Family and Friends:
You may want to sit down for this one. I’m training to cycle a 100 miles in one day to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Maybe you’d like to reread that last sentence. It’s true-there’s been no misprint! I’ll be part of the Lake Tahoe Century on June 6th, 2004!
You may ask “has Amy lost her mind?”, but I can remember many of us talking about our life long goals, and now that I’m officially in my 30’s I’ve come to a point in my life where it truly isn’t “all about me”. I wanted a chance to be able to give back in a thoughtful and meaningful way. I never thought that I would have said, “let me ride a 100 miles, that’s a goal that I want to achieve”, but now it’s all that I can think about.
As most of you know I moved to California last April and it was a difficult transition for me leaving everything that I know and love back in New England. In August of 2003 I picked up cycling and it has made such a difference in my life. It’s not only great exercise, but cycling connected me here in CA, which was something I was longing for. I now have the chance to give back while doing something that I love, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is helping make that possible through their Team in Training program. I have a coach, training regimen, nutrition advice, and a great group of cyclists to give me plenty of support.
Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood-forming tissues – bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. It appears as uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal blood cells. It is estimated that leukemia and its related cancers will strike over 100,000 Americans this year. Every week 1,100 will die. As I trudge through each of those 100 miles (mainly hills), I’ll be thinking of all of the people who can’t cycle a 100 miles or can’t even get up out of bed because they are too tired. I’ll also be thinking how proud I am to be raising money for such a wonderful cause. Recently a good friend of mine, Karen Whitney’s mother, Janice (Jan) Drake, passed away from Leukemia and I will be cycling in her memory as well as the memory of those who have passed on or are fighting this terrible disease.
By now I hope you agree with me about the importance of this cause. Will you please help and join me in this effort? For this event I have pledged to raise $3,000! I cannot make it without your love, enthusiasm, care and financial support. Please know that 75% of all the funds go directly to research and remember your contribution is tax deductible.
This is such an important event for me and I truly appreciate any donation that you can give, as it all adds up. Contributions may be made by check or money order made payable to “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and sent to me at 6 Alaris Aisle, Irvine, CA 92614. If you prefer to contribute via credit card, please complete the enclosed pledge form and send back to me in the self-addressed, stamped envelope I’ve provided for you by March 15, 2004. I can accept contributions after this date, but this is the first fundraising deadline and it would be helpful to track my progress at this time.
I will keep you posted on my training progress and will send post Tahoe Century details and pictures.
Many thanks and warm thoughts!
Amy Swisher
Dear Family and Friends:
You may want to sit down for this one. I’m training to cycle a 100 miles in one day to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Maybe you’d like to reread that last sentence. It’s true-there’s been no misprint! I’ll be part of the Lake Tahoe Century on June 6th, 2004!
You may ask “has Amy lost her mind?”, but I can remember many of us talking about our life long goals, and now that I’m officially in my 30’s I’ve come to a point in my life where it truly isn’t “all about me”. I wanted a chance to be able to give back in a thoughtful and meaningful way. I never thought that I would have said, “let me ride a 100 miles, that’s a goal that I want to achieve”, but now it’s all that I can think about.
As most of you know I moved to California last April and it was a difficult transition for me leaving everything that I know and love back in New England. In August of 2003 I picked up cycling and it has made such a difference in my life. It’s not only great exercise, but cycling connected me here in CA, which was something I was longing for. I now have the chance to give back while doing something that I love, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is helping make that possible through their Team in Training program. I have a coach, training regimen, nutrition advice, and a great group of cyclists to give me plenty of support.
Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood-forming tissues – bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. It appears as uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal blood cells. It is estimated that leukemia and its related cancers will strike over 100,000 Americans this year. Every week 1,100 will die. As I trudge through each of those 100 miles (mainly hills), I’ll be thinking of all of the people who can’t cycle a 100 miles or can’t even get up out of bed because they are too tired. I’ll also be thinking how proud I am to be raising money for such a wonderful cause. Recently a good friend of mine, Karen Whitney’s mother, Janice (Jan) Drake, passed away from Leukemia and I will be cycling in her memory as well as the memory of those who have passed on or are fighting this terrible disease.
By now I hope you agree with me about the importance of this cause. Will you please help and join me in this effort? For this event I have pledged to raise $3,000! I cannot make it without your love, enthusiasm, care and financial support. Please know that 75% of all the funds go directly to research and remember your contribution is tax deductible.
This is such an important event for me and I truly appreciate any donation that you can give, as it all adds up. Contributions may be made by check or money order made payable to “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and sent to me at 6 Alaris Aisle, Irvine, CA 92614. If you prefer to contribute via credit card, please complete the enclosed pledge form and send back to me in the self-addressed, stamped envelope I’ve provided for you by March 15, 2004. I can accept contributions after this date, but this is the first fundraising deadline and it would be helpful to track my progress at this time.
I will keep you posted on my training progress and will send post Tahoe Century details and pictures.
Many thanks and warm thoughts!
Amy Swisher