November 18, 2003

Jenna Ingraham, the local director of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was the speaker today, giving a history of the organization's efforts to eradicate those deadly diseases, and the various efforts used by the society nationwide to raise funds for that effort.  There are numerous high profile events like a recent Walk for Life and the Annual Light the Night event, the latter involving not only fund raisers, but survivors of the disease as well, showing all there is hope,

One very popular and very constructive fund raising effort is the "Team in Training" concept.  The basic idea is that those wishing to participate in an event, from the Disney Marathon, Honolulu Marathon, Dublin Marathon, or cycling events like "America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride" in Lake Tahoe, or triathlons in Monterey, California or St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida.  For each such event there is an entry fee which the participants are encouraged to raise by way of pledges.  Each participant is assigned a coach to work with the participant to assist that individual in finishing the chosen event.  Of the funds raised 25% is used to pay for the participation, travel, housing and participation in the event, and the remaining 75% goes to the society for charitable purposes.    The entire group vowed to consider entering one marathon or triathlon event, for sure!

Jenna