Team in Training Donation letter

Dear Family and Friends-

Let's face it: I've gone nuts.

I mean, what sane person would decide to get up off the couch and go do a IRONMAN? And not just an IRONMAN, but the VINEMAN: a 2.4 mile swim in, then a hilly 112 mile bike ride, and then a marathon (26.2 mile run) in the blazing sun. Pros find this race challenging, for Pete's sake. What kind of guy decides, "Hey, this all sounds like a hoot?”

Well, yours truly, for one. I've joined with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program. I have committed to raising $8000 and doing this IRONMAN. In return, Team In Training will coach me and my teammates and give us the support we need to meet our race goal. Now I need your support to meet my fundraising goal.

To date, members of Team In Training raised over $680 million dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in its fight against leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease, lymphoma, and myeloma. These diseases affect blood-forming tissues like the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow, and cause them to produce abnormal blood cells, preventing the production of normal cells. An estimated 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with one of these blood-related cancers, and every week 1,100 of them die. Leukemia is the number one killing disease in children, and it affects 10 times as many adults.

I’ve decided to take on this challenge for numerous reasons. Simply stated, I want to make a difference. Then of course there is the physical challenge of completing an IRONMAN, and most importantly I am doing this in honor of some very special people: My brother, John Daniel Leist, who passed away after fighting Leukemia for 18 months and Mr. Richard Shumsky, father of my very dear friend. Mr. Shumsky is battling leukemia and is continuing to fight. (GO, MR. SHUMSKY!) Plus, all others who have fought and continue to fight this horrible disease. This is for you.

75% of my pledged amount of $8,000 goes directly to research. All donations are 100% tax deductible, and our tax ID is 13-5644916. Feel free to pass this along to your friends & family. Also check to see if your company has a matching gifts program, it’s an easy way to double your donation!

If you would like to donate online please go to my donation web page at:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/Rleist

I will also be keeping a blog that will document my training and thoughts at: runrichrun.blogspot.com

Rowdy cheers, band aids, ice packs and chicken burritos (no beans) are just as welcome and appreciated.

SMILE,


Rich