Glenn Ferguson's PledgePage
Please look in the photos section for details on the upcoming June 12 fundraiser!!
Dear Family and Friends,
As you know, our son Jeremy was diagnosed with leukemia on September 6, 2002. Jeremy was 2 ½ at the time, now he is 4. He is doing as well as possible the doctors say, but of course chemotherapy takes quite a bit out of a child. Jeremy is now in what is called “maintenance therapy”; he receives daily oral chemotherapy medications, regular clinic visits, and increased medications based on a protocol that the oncologists are following. Some days are easier than others are. Looking at the energy he shows and the enthusiasm he has for life, you would realize that the treatments are really working, and that we have an awful lot to be thankful for during such a trying time.
During the course of this life experience, I have come to know people who have inspired me to take on the LARGE challenge of running marathons (26.2 miles). I have been running for a year now, so it is not as scary as it may had been if I had no prior experience, but still it is a daunting task. I am currently training for my next marathon which will take place this fall. I have joined a group called Team in Training, sponsored by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Our mission is to raise funds for the cure and care of Leukemia and other blood-related disease patients. After seeing the amazing effects that treatment has had on Jeremy, I knew that this is the right thing to do and that it will “make a difference.” The bulk of the time spent with Jeremy in the hospital is done by Sara because of outside influences that cannot be avoided. Her support for Jeremy and me was and is second to none, and I could not be writing this to you without that support. When I do spend time in the hospital with Jeremy, seeing the hope that the children hold for a speedy recovery only furthered my belief in this cause. I will not let them down.
The society too has helped us out a lot. They have a program that gives up to $500 annually to families to help defray costs of chemotherapy/other treatments. We have utilized this program, as the difference between what is covered by our HMO and what is not seems to grow larger every day. They have also provided us with a great deal of support in other ways. They provide public and professional education programs, family support groups, and of course research. The money stays local. Of the money the society receives, 75% goes to their mission, so you can be assured that your contributions will be well-used to fund the Society’s’ mission. There are six researchers locally that are supported by the funding, five are at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and one is at Roswell in Buffalo.
The survival rate for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which is what Jeremy has, the most common form of childhood leukemia, was an appalling 4% in 1960. Today, thanks to research, the survival rate has improved to more than 81%. ALL is now considered to be a potentially curable disease. Chemotherapy was initially developed as a treatment for leukemia. Today, it is a standard therapy for most cancers. Nearly 617,000 American adults and children living in the United States are living with blood related cancers. New diagnoses are made every five minutes, while someone dies every nine minutes. The good news is that thanks to the advances in treatments I mentioned survival rates have dramatically increased as illustrated.
The fact that we are seeing results from research is part of the reason I feel so strongly about running the marathon to raise money for the society. Of course, my strongest reason is for Jeremy, who benefits greatly from the research done by the society. He doesn't have a choice like I do. He can't quit. He can't just miss a treatment no matter how sick it makes him. I want to do it for him first and foremost. And of course I want to do it for all of the others who are affected by leukemia and its related illnesses.
I know you may think I am crazy to run a marathon, but I think I can dedicate the training necessary to make it happen. The coaches are there every step of the way. They are just as dedicated as I am. I am sure you can understand my commitment to Team in Training.
I need the support of family, friends, and neighbors. I have made a personal commitment to raise a minimum of $5,000. All donations are 100% tax deductible. All donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. There is a link on my site for donations. Please click it. You can contact me if you need receipts or have any questions.
It really does make a difference. Any contribution, regardless of size is appreciated. Please consider sponsoring me and contributing $1, $2, $5 per mile or whatever you can afford, or make an outright donation to my run.
I would also like to ask you to help spread the word of my endeavor and the work of Team in Training and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Share this letter if you will with your friends, family, and coworkers. If your company makes donations to such worthy causes, I would welcome an introduction to the person in charge of those decisions. The society is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
Finally, even if you are unable to make a donation, please send me a note telling me how you feel about this effort. As I increase my weekly long run to 20 miles, I will need all the encouragement I can get. A short note of encouragement will go a long way.
Would you please join me in our effort to find a cure for leukemia and it’s related cancers of lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s Disease, and in lending a hand to the patients and families served by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Very truly yours,
Glenn
Dear Family and Friends,
As you know, our son Jeremy was diagnosed with leukemia on September 6, 2002. Jeremy was 2 ½ at the time, now he is 4. He is doing as well as possible the doctors say, but of course chemotherapy takes quite a bit out of a child. Jeremy is now in what is called “maintenance therapy”; he receives daily oral chemotherapy medications, regular clinic visits, and increased medications based on a protocol that the oncologists are following. Some days are easier than others are. Looking at the energy he shows and the enthusiasm he has for life, you would realize that the treatments are really working, and that we have an awful lot to be thankful for during such a trying time.
During the course of this life experience, I have come to know people who have inspired me to take on the LARGE challenge of running marathons (26.2 miles). I have been running for a year now, so it is not as scary as it may had been if I had no prior experience, but still it is a daunting task. I am currently training for my next marathon which will take place this fall. I have joined a group called Team in Training, sponsored by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Our mission is to raise funds for the cure and care of Leukemia and other blood-related disease patients. After seeing the amazing effects that treatment has had on Jeremy, I knew that this is the right thing to do and that it will “make a difference.” The bulk of the time spent with Jeremy in the hospital is done by Sara because of outside influences that cannot be avoided. Her support for Jeremy and me was and is second to none, and I could not be writing this to you without that support. When I do spend time in the hospital with Jeremy, seeing the hope that the children hold for a speedy recovery only furthered my belief in this cause. I will not let them down.
The society too has helped us out a lot. They have a program that gives up to $500 annually to families to help defray costs of chemotherapy/other treatments. We have utilized this program, as the difference between what is covered by our HMO and what is not seems to grow larger every day. They have also provided us with a great deal of support in other ways. They provide public and professional education programs, family support groups, and of course research. The money stays local. Of the money the society receives, 75% goes to their mission, so you can be assured that your contributions will be well-used to fund the Society’s’ mission. There are six researchers locally that are supported by the funding, five are at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and one is at Roswell in Buffalo.
The survival rate for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which is what Jeremy has, the most common form of childhood leukemia, was an appalling 4% in 1960. Today, thanks to research, the survival rate has improved to more than 81%. ALL is now considered to be a potentially curable disease. Chemotherapy was initially developed as a treatment for leukemia. Today, it is a standard therapy for most cancers. Nearly 617,000 American adults and children living in the United States are living with blood related cancers. New diagnoses are made every five minutes, while someone dies every nine minutes. The good news is that thanks to the advances in treatments I mentioned survival rates have dramatically increased as illustrated.
The fact that we are seeing results from research is part of the reason I feel so strongly about running the marathon to raise money for the society. Of course, my strongest reason is for Jeremy, who benefits greatly from the research done by the society. He doesn't have a choice like I do. He can't quit. He can't just miss a treatment no matter how sick it makes him. I want to do it for him first and foremost. And of course I want to do it for all of the others who are affected by leukemia and its related illnesses.
I know you may think I am crazy to run a marathon, but I think I can dedicate the training necessary to make it happen. The coaches are there every step of the way. They are just as dedicated as I am. I am sure you can understand my commitment to Team in Training.
I need the support of family, friends, and neighbors. I have made a personal commitment to raise a minimum of $5,000. All donations are 100% tax deductible. All donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. There is a link on my site for donations. Please click it. You can contact me if you need receipts or have any questions.
It really does make a difference. Any contribution, regardless of size is appreciated. Please consider sponsoring me and contributing $1, $2, $5 per mile or whatever you can afford, or make an outright donation to my run.
I would also like to ask you to help spread the word of my endeavor and the work of Team in Training and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Share this letter if you will with your friends, family, and coworkers. If your company makes donations to such worthy causes, I would welcome an introduction to the person in charge of those decisions. The society is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
Finally, even if you are unable to make a donation, please send me a note telling me how you feel about this effort. As I increase my weekly long run to 20 miles, I will need all the encouragement I can get. A short note of encouragement will go a long way.
Would you please join me in our effort to find a cure for leukemia and it’s related cancers of lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s Disease, and in lending a hand to the patients and families served by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Very truly yours,
Glenn