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Enter the Ready, Set Give and Get Contest on Facebook

whitleyt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:36:21 GMT

This is your chance to win a $500 Gift Certificate - and a $10,000 grant for LLS!

Our friends at Gap have launched a contest on Facebook that will run through March 21st! They are looking for the best story on how you "give" back to the LLS community and what you "get" in return.

To enter the contest you must submit a photo and answer these two questions:
1.) What have you done to make an impact on your community?

2.) What results have you seen to date, and what impact has that made on your life?

Enter today! Make sure you cite The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as your charity of choice --- andGOOD LUCK!

Totally Baldacious Inspiration: Team In Training Coach Jacque

whitleyt — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:31:37 GMT

Jacque Carter fell in love with Team In Training in the fall of 2003. She had been a runner when she was younger but a dislocated knee ended her running career. However, she became an avid race walker and by 2005 was coaching the walk team for the National Capital Area chapter. Never one to shy away from attention, Jacque and a group of friends sported angel wings during the Nike Women’s Marathon to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in San Francisco in 2008. They called themselves Peggy’s Pals to honor a friend battling leukemia. Last summer, Jacque once again decided to take a very visible stand to show her support and solidarity for cancer patients, when she shaved her head following a training run with her team.

Her story was beautifully documented on the New York Times Running Voices series

Thank you for being a Totally Baldacious pioneer, Coach Jacque!

The FarmHouse Fraternity is Totally Baldacious

whitleyt — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:02:53 GMT

Inspired by a brother from their Minnesota chapter who is undergroing treatment for lymphoma, as well as a brother who lost his battle with leukemia, members of the FarmHouse Fraternity, a fraternal organization whose members are generally involved in the study of agriculture and related fields, have been going Totally Baldacious at college campuses across the country. Take the Virginia Tech chapter of the fraternity, who had a small gathering of members and friends last week where they took donations for four brothers, and the brother who garnered the highest contribution got shaved.

Meanwhile, at Washington State University, the FarmHouse members gathered about 50 members and friends for a "mane" event . Even some members of fraternity Delta Delta Delta also attended. “It means a lot because I have a friend who is suffering from lymphoma as well,” said FarmHouse philanthropy chairman Leonel Castellano. “I hope a picture of us with all of our heads shaved brightens up his day. I’m proud to show him what I’m doing to support the cause.” FarmHouse President Matthew Doumit, a junior forestry major, said “It was about more than raising money. For us, the big thing is making a statement by going around with shaved heads and really raising awareness.” FarmHouse Chapters in Wyoming, Texas and Illinois and other states planned events as well.

Photo courtesy of Zachary Lyons of Virginia Tech, who is studying Dairy Science.

Here's to the FarmHouse Fraternity -- and a Totally Baldacious and totally cool!

Evan Handler is Totally Baldacious, But You Knew That

whitleyt — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:56:32 GMT

Actor (Sex and the City, Californication, Lost, Six Feet Under, Ransom, Taps, etc), author (Time On Fire: My Comedy of Terrors, It's Only Temporary: The Good News and the Bad News of Being Alive), screenwriter and journalist Evan Handler is the Honorary Spokesperson for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Totally Baldacious campaign. As a super long-term acute myelogenous leukemia survivor Evan knows first hand the importance of funding life-saving cancer research and so his role as Honorary Spokesperson is particularly significant.

Here reached out to Evan for this blog with some questions and have included his responses below:

Part of the motivation for the Totally Baldacious campaign is to call attention to the importance of showing our love and solidarity to cancer patients. How did has the support you've received from your friends and colleagues helped you while you were undergoing treatment?

I had a lot more friends when I was diagnosed at 24 than I do now at 49 - which is a very good thing, overall. Knowing that there was a community following me, missing me, and hoping for my recovery was a tremendous source of comfort and inspiration. It often strengthened my resolve. And, oddly, knowing that so many of my very young (at the time) colleagues were shaken by my diagnosis also inspired me to push hard to get well. I felt a great sense of determination to show them, and the rest of the world, that such a serious diagnosis did not have to end tragically. I, and they, were deeply involved in establishing ourselves as storytellers, and cultural chroniclers. I felt, should I be able to recover, my particular bout offered opportunities for a great long-lasting lesson, and example, for others who might follow behind. I couldn't locate a single prominent story - either factual or fictional - of a recovery from AML, and I thought there should be room for at least one.

Does this topic come up in your new book, It's Only Temporary?

Actually, it's one of the main thrusts of my first book, Time On Fire: My Comedy of Terrors. I was given (by my girlfriend at the time of that book's writing) a passage about "the revealing of the self," and how such revelations were part of the fuel that drove civilizations to evolve. About how the compilation of stories of all the members of the community were the lessons carried forward, and later used as roadmaps, by newer members of the society. The passage (From Sheldon B. Kopp's If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him!) stated that "The paradoxical interstice of power and vulnerability, which makes man most human, rests on his knowing who he is right now, because he can remember who he has been, and because he knows who he hopes to become. All this comes from the wonder of his being able to tell his tale." These sentences, first encountered some time after my recovery, really altered the focus of my life for years afterward.

Of course, while the passage had a profound effect on me, my relationship with that girlfriend didn't endure - and neither did any of the others throughout my 20's and 30's. That's the topic covered in my newer book, It's Only Temporary.

Knowing the importance of funding cancer research, the fundraising objective behind Totally Baldacious, what observations do you have regarding the impact research has had on cancer treatments since you were first diagnosed?

My personal expertise in regard to cancer treatments now, as compared with those available when I was ill, is extremely limited. I know that many of the highly treacherous aspects of bone marrow transplantation I managed to overcome have been somewhat mitigated since, but that's about it. I do know I was exceptionally lucky to come down with acute myeloid leukemia in 1985, as opposed to 1965 (if you can call coming down with AML lucky at all; in Time On Fire I refer to myself as being among "the very luckiest of the unluckiest people to have ever lived"). I assume those who are diagnosed now, or twenty years from now, will have similar benefits, when compared with those treated when I was.

We know you have a web site (www.evanhandler.com), a Facebook Fan Page, and a Twitter profile (@evanhandler) -- and Totally Baldacious does too! How has the web and social networking influenced your relationship with your fans?

My wife laughs at me as I spend several hours a week updating my Facebook page and corresponding with people there, or via Twitter. I opened the Facebook account to promote my latest book in 2008, and accepted all friendship requests. There are 5000 of them now, and my guess is that far less than 10% are people I actually know. So, I've certainly blurred the lines on the meaning of "friendship" and connectedness. But, really, the driving force in my storytelling is the same driving force I felt when fighting for my life. I had to come up with some concrete reasons why walking the hellish path of bone marrow transplantation might be worthwhile. There were personal goals, of course - like wanting to continue to be with my girlfriend at the time (that relationship didn't last either). But the overarching goal, that seemed larger than myself and my own tangled web of girlfriends past, present, and - hopefully - future, was the value that the story of my recovery could have. The inspirational value to others of my mere existence, should I be able to extend it. And, if you go to my website or my Facebook page that's what you'll find emphasized, as it's really the crux of what I think I have to offer.

We developed a 'Be Baldacious' widget that allows you to bald your social networking profile, which you probably aren't going to use. How will you be promoting Totally Baldacious online through February?

think I'm kind of promoting Totally Baldacious every day, everywhere I go. But I'm still encouraging all of my fans to sign up to fundraise for the life-saving cancer research LLS supports on www.totallybaldacious.org.

In the press release for Totally Baldacious you are quoted as saying that you are often mistaken for Howie Mandel? You're kidding, right?

I'm sorry to say I'm not.

Thank you for answering these questions, Evan! We appreciate your spirited support!

LLS CEO Goes Totally Baldacious!

whitleyt — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:39:25 GMT

Still fundraising to meet his $50,000 goal, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society President and CEO, John Walter, showed just how serious he was about showing solidarity with cancer patients by "shaving one for the team."

John notes: "The Totally Baldacious campaign is a personal way to demonstrate your support for cancer patients who lose their hair while undergoing treatment."

Check out the video here:

John's participation in Totally Baldacious inspired fans on our Totally Baldacious Fan Page on Facebook and caught the attention of online bloggers like Margart Battistelli, Fundraising Success founding editor. In her blog, Outrageous Hope, she applauds John's commitment ending her post with "we say to John, thank you for being so bold, so Baldacious, so willing to shave one for the team, and so, so full of outrageous hope!"

We couldn't agree more!

To help John reach his fundraising goal, click here to donate directly to his campaign.

To wage your own Totally Baldacious challenge, visit www.totallybaldacious.org

There's no better way to show you care than to go Totally Baldacious for cancer patients.

Kristine W & the Power of Totally Baldacious

whitleyt — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:12:17 GMT

Recording artist, legendary Las Vegas performer and acute myelogenous leukemia survivor Kristine W is going Totally Baldacious! Totally Baldacious.

Kristine, your last album was 'The Power of Music' -- tell us about the power of showing your love for cancer patients. How important was your support network when you were undergoing treatment?

Having emotional support Is critical. I did not tell my fans or even many of my friends about my illness because I didn't want to sent a wave of panic out there before I knew what I was dealing with . I was driven to UCLA because I was too weak to walk across the airport to get on a plane and my white count was so low I could have died from catching a cold. I was given a bone marrow biopsy and admitted immediately upon arrival. I would have loved to have been able to talk to someone about what was happening but It all happens very fast. The first 6 weeks I was so sick I don't remember much. During my months of treatments at UCLA, I was put In touch with the LLS and then The First Connection program. Talking with other survivors really helped me become more confident In my fight. Looking back, I wish I had know about the program earlier In my treatment. I am so grateful we have the LLS.

You're hair is a big part of your image, did you lose your hair?

I lost my hair 3 times during different rounds of chemo over the period of a year and It was very traumatic . Before the first round I had a hairdresser come to my hospital room and cut my long hair very short so It would not be so hard on my ego to lose it. It all fell out in clumps very quickly anyway after I started treatment. I remember laughing to my friends and family and crying only when I was alone. The third time my hair grew back It was a very slow process and I had to use double stick tape to keep my wigs on my bald head for my shows. Roberto Novo, a dear friend of mine and Salon owner In NYC designed these cool rhinestoned beanies I wore which actually started a fashion trend.

Did anyone shave their head to show their solidarity for you?

Yes, Roberto Novo shaved his head and flew in when I did my first show in Kansas City after my illness. He helped me with my wigs backstage because he knew I was freaked out about my no hair situation. With no hair there Is nothing to attach a wig to. I was petrified my wig would fly off into the audience because I really move around on stage. LOL

How would you have felt if they did?

I would have been totally awe struck just like when I saw Roberto!!

Kristine, you've been a long-time supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thank you for all you've done for LLS and for your baldacious support of this campaign!

Guess Who's Going Totally Baldacious Today?

whitleyt — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:09:52 GMT

It's happening today at 2pm, EST -- 12 year NFL veteran Terry Cousin has pulled together a team (including the Philadephia Eagle's Sheldon Brown and the San Diego Charger's Jyles Tucker) who are going Totally Baldacious to show their solidarity with cancer patients, as they call attention to the need to fund life-saving cancer research. Cousin, Brown and Tucker are all either shaving our coloring their hair at John Allan's, the sophisticated men's salon at 46 East 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan.

We'll be posting about this event on this Blog throughout the day. You can also follow us @baldacious on Twitter.

Terry's Team is gong Totally Baldacious -- how about you?!

LLS President and CEO, John Walter, Is Going Totally Baldacious

whitleyt — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:04:30 GMT

Friends,

I wanted to write a blog post here to let you know that I have decided to take my support for people touched by cancer to the next level. I am going to shave my head as a participant in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s new campaign, Totally Baldacious . This campaign will create greater public awareness about blood cancers, as well as help bring LLS fundraising dollars to continue our critical work – supplying patients and their families with important information and support and funding life-saving cancer research.

I have worked at LLS for more than 15 years and I believe in its mission with every bone in my body and every hair on my head, and I’m prepared to sacrifice those hairs to show, in no uncertain terms, just how much I care about helping people with cancer live longer, healthier lives. Not only this, but I am personally committing to fundraise a minimum of $50,000 from my own friends, family, neighbors and business associates.

I hope you will join the campaign. You can shave your head, lighten or color your hair. Guys, not sure you want to shave your head? Consider shaving or coloring that moustache, beard or goatee. You can also virtually shave your head on the Totally Baldacious website, and set up a fundraising page where you can also ask your own family and friends to support your efforts. All the money raised, including the $50,000 I plan to raise, will return to LLS in our work with patients and researchers.

For now, I still have a full head of blond hair, but stay tuned. I’ll share my after pictures in the coming weeks.

Shaving one for the team,

John Walter
President and CEO
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Follow Totally Baldacious campaign here on the @LLS Blog or via your favorite social networks: Facebook and Twitter.

Show Your Love for Cancer Patients by Going Totally Baldacious!

whitleyt — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:17:35 GMT

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, there's no better way to show your love for cancer patients than by going Totally Baldacious. Register today and commit to shaving your head or coloring your hair to raise funds for life-saving cancer research. Go Totally Baldacious and help cure cancers!

Use the Be Baldacious widget or Facebook Application to tell your social networking friends and boldly show your solidarity with cancer patients and their families.

We don't think there's a more audacious way to show you care.

Begin by signing up on www.totallybaldacious.org and start fundraising today! And if you're already fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (through Team In Training, the Light The Night Walk or the Man & Woman of the Year campaigns), contact your campaign directors for tips on how to apply this concept to your fundraising goals.

Follow the @LLS Blog for daily posts on this campaign throughout February -- and send your stories and pics to baldacious@lls.org with pride.

Happy Valentine's Day and thank you for spreading the love!

Jay Duke's Story: A Passion for the Mission

whitleyt — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:44:22 GMT

We approached Team In Training alumni and President of Karhu North America, Jay Duke, to feature his story on this blog. Jay's passion for our mission is an inspiration, just as Karhu's product partnership is a welcome alliance. Here's Jay's story:

One of my wife's best friends - her sister and Godmother to our firstborn - was diagnosed with Leukemia in September 2001. A devoted oncology nurse and impassioned advocate for her patients, Mary June knew the climb and was a natural fighter. She waged a fierce battle and one year later, as we all expected, the doctors diagnosed her as cancer-free. The entire family celebrated the victory of her one-year remission with a festive dinner party.

The celebration was short lived as the cancer reappeared 18 months later. Knowing full well the difficulty of the second time around, she did not waver in her fight for life. My last moments with Mary June were at my daughter's birthday party just days before she passed away the third of September 2005. Even in her weakened state, Mary June was there with us and for us - her family. Mary June asked us never to forget her, an impossible thought to those who knew her, including those in oncology community who unimaginably lost one of their own to the very illness.

In Mary June's memory I joined my first LLS fundraising event, a sprint triathlon, in 2006. I have participated in a minimum of one LLS event every year since, including this past 2009 Boston Marathon. Last year I joined the venture to build KARHU and CRAFT and fortunately can now elevate a personal passion with a corporate partnership to support the mission of LLS and a cause I am committed to for life. I can only hope this partnership will be one way to spare others from similar heartache.

Thank you, Jay, for allowing us to post your story and for all you do to help fund life-saving cancer research!

You can help LLS fund life-saving research by clicking here to begin shopping. 20% of your total order will directly benefit LLS.

Follow Us Online for New York's Mission Day

whitleyt — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:34:32 GMT

Today, February 1, more than 100 blood cancer volunteers from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s six New York chapters will join key legislative leaders in Albany on health care to urge support for legislation to increase access to life-saving health care services for cancer patients. But just because you were not able to make the trip to the Capitol building doesn’t mean you can’t still join in the excitement of New York’s State Mission Day!

There are two ways that you can still participate in the day:

1. ) Please visit LLS’s Legislative Action Center and send a pre-drafted email to your representatives urging them to support our legislative agenda, and
2. ) you can follow the day online. We will be posting updates, volunteer feedback, photos and video right here on the LLS Blog and several other online outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

So check in from time-to-time and be a part of New York’s 2010 State Mission Day!

10:55am EST: ACT NOW! - Urge NY General Assembly to Increase Access to Life Saving Health Care Services for Cancer Patients
5:17pm EST: pictures from today's event are now viewable from Flickr.

Congrats from MasterTheShift Yoga Master, Tara Stiles

whitleyt — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:28:37 GMT

Hi Everyone. I just wanted to say hi, thanks, and congrats to everyone involved with Team In Training (TNT). I learned about TNT this year through the Master the Shift program with Nissan. It's been a great year of traveling around to different races, getting to meet a lot of you, sharing some yoga tips, and hearing your stories. It's been inspiring to soak in the TNT vibe. The work you do and have done is mind boggling. You've reached $1 billon dollars to fight blood cancers and improve quality of life. That's truly amazing. Your efforts have changed so many people's lives, including mine.

Yoga is a practice that works from the inside out. You start where you are and you're somewhere different every day. Yoga cultivate s a balance of strength and balance in our bodies and our minds. It's all connected to the breath. When we focus on the breath, instead of the circus wheel of thoughts, we are brought into the present moment. And when we are balanced in the present moment, we are able to extend ourselves into the lives of others and serve effectively. That's what yoga's all about. Conscious living. Living a useful life for ourselves, and others. We're all in this together. When you give you receive and TNT participants can feel the gratitude, the love, the energy and support of everyone you've touched. Please continue your efforts in fighting blood cancers, building strength in your bodies, and minds, and supporting each other.

If you ever need a stress reducer, take a minute for yourself, close your eyes and focus on your breath. 5 minutes makes a big difference. Meditation doesn't have to be a big deal you take 60 minutes out of your day. When we recharge we are more equip to serve. For more tips and videos from me, visit MastertheShift.com.

Thank you for letting me into your world. I appreciate you.

Tara Stiles

Find out more about Tara on the MasterTheShift.com

Offshore Sailing School Blog: A Sailor Lost to a Tragic Disease

whitleyt — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:13:43 GMT

The following blog was originally posted on the Offshore Sailing School Blog (see: www.offshoresailingschool.com/blog) by Offshore Sailing School CEO and President, Doris Colgate. It's featured here with her permission:

As most of you know, Offshore Sailing School is a national sponsor of The Leukemia Cup Regattas – a fund-raising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Yesterday I received a “Thank You” email I want to share with all of you. The author gave me permission and I have kept out names and locations to protect her from spammers, but the story is true, and heartbreaking. Before I received this we had already decided to donate $25 of every regular course tuition we teach in 2010 to LLS. If you are considering sailing lessons, learning to sail, or a bareboat cruising course, this might push you over the edge. I know there is a lot of tragedy surrounding all of us these days, particularly as we see what is happening in Haiti. But many diseases are now cured because of the incredible resesarch done to find cures for blood cancers.

Here is her story:

“On Halloween at 4:30 p.m., my fiancee was diagnosed with Leukemia AML-M3. He was 40 years old, days away from his 41st birthday. He had never had any symptoms of anything more than a fever for a few days and a little difficulty breathing, which is what brought us to an ER unit three times, the last on October 30th. He was diagnosed with walking pneumonia and pneumonia and was transferred to a hospital that Friday night, where he was diagnosed with AML with the devastating words that if we did not start chemo that night he would not be alive in a week. Unfortunately, those words would ring true even though we did start chemo less than six hours after his diagnosis.

“Thirty-six hours is never enough time to prepare to lose your best friend, your future, your lover, your life and then to watch him slip away so quickly. It is a disease that I am only now beginning to wrap my brain around how it attacks the body. My fiancee was an unforgettable man. He got his first sailboat at age 12. He spent every summer on his boat and eventually settled in a sailing community. There were several years that he lived aboard. I can remember the smile on his face like it was yesterday when we watched 12 Metres sailing last fall.

“He was an amazing man, with a mechanical engineering degree, but his hobbies made him who he was – an accomplished sailor who loved the sea. He held a Merchant Marines Sea Captains License and a private pilots license. At his funeral all of his pall bearers wore captain’s hats in his honor. At any given time he was the entertainer of entertainers – the one that everyone ALWAYS wanted to be around.

“I want to say thank you for all that you do and have done for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You cannot imagine how comforting it is to know that people out there care and offer time and effort to a cause so close to my heart. The day we sat in the hospital the first time I did not even know how to spell Leukemia and now I feel like I am becoming an expert on it.

“I am just starting to get back to life after all that happened. I have joined LLS and would really love to come participate at some point in one of your weekends. I want to give back and be involved in anything that I can to help other people that might be in our shoes one day. I cannot do anything to help or save my fiancee but I can try to help other people the way you are.”

I cried when I read her email. I hope to meet her someday soon and give her a strong hug for her candor and resolve. You may not know how many sailors have been afflicted by lymphoma, leukemia or myeloma -and how many sailors have someone close to them or in their circle of friends who are going through treatment or are in remission. We always said the world was small, and it becomes smaller and smaller as our circle of sailing friends gather around this very important cause. I hope you will too.

Doris Colgate, Chief Executive Officer and President,

Offshore Sailing School

Double the impact of your year-end gift to fight blood cancers

whitleyt — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:34:16 GMT

Matching Gift Offer ends December 31st

You still have time to make your gift go twice as far in the effort to help patients live better, longer lives.

Please remember that an anonymous friend of LLS will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 if made by December 31st. Act now and your donation of $25 will become $50, your gift of $50 will become $100.

Time is almost up! Don't miss this chance to make a gift that will have twice the impact. If we meet this matching challenge, today's patients will benefit sooner from treatments that let them live better, longer lives.

Please make your gift go twice as far by responding today.

Cross the Finish Line this Summer with Team In Training

whitleyt — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:51:43 GMT

leave impossible behind. be inspired. change lives, starting with your own. create a world without cancer. get off the couch. meet like-minded people. be someone's hero. find your inner athlete. be extraordinary. save lives one miles at a time.

Now recruiting runners and walkers to train for marathons and half marathons happening this Summer

Feel the pride that comes along with crossing the finish line. Have you ever thought about participating in a marathon or half marathon? Now's your chance. Whether you're a couch potato or a seasoned runner, Team In Training will get you there.

Vancouver Marathon May 2, 2010
Canada's largest marathon takes place in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. This beautiful, mostly flat, paved course is open to runners and walkers as a full or half-marathon. >>Learn More

Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon June 6, 2010
Participants will be treated to a BRAND NEW Rock 'n' Roll course in 2010. San Diego, known for its scenic coastline and laid-back lifestyle, has so much to offer participants both on and off the course! The thoughtfully designed walker and runner-friendly route will run past a variety of signature attractions in San Diego. >>Learn More

Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon June 19, 2010
This walker-friendly, 8½-hour course travels through beautiful Anchorage, AK. Scenic city bike trails, gravel, rocky and paved roadways make up this gently rolling course which extends downhill. The race is sanctioned by USA Track and Field and is recognized by the Boston Marathon as a qualifying event. >>Learn More

Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon & 1/2 June 26, 2010
A running nirvana that travels from Tukwila to Seattle features ideal running temperatures in the mid-60s and beautiful scenery. The Pacific Northwest is a perfect destination for an early summer vacation. >> Learn More

Team In Training promises a customized training program and certified coaches. As a participant, you will train with a local group of like-minded individuals all motivated to cross the finish line and help blood cancer patients live longer, better lives.