12-07-2009, 10:28 AM
The following is written by my girlfriend, Caitlin. Her niece, Jade (whom IÔÇÖve known longer than my own nieces, making her sort of a niece to me), is truly an amazing kid. If youÔÇÖre able to contribute anything (thoughts, prayers, a dollar or two), itÔÇÖd be greatly appreciated. Also, read on for an invitation to a fundraising event on Tuesday. If youÔÇÖre interested in sending a more personal gift, details can be found at the website I set up at http://www.jadesjourney.com.
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As you all know from my email a few weeks ago, I've joined a small group with the lofty goal of raising $30,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of the fantastic Jobi Jones. I'm writing you again because I now have another, even more personal, reason that makes raising this money so important to me.
On Sunday, my five-year-old niece, Jade, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7049">http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7049</a><!-- m -->). Her symptoms started the day before Thanksgiving with what was thought to be an abrasion on her abdomen. By Sunday, she had a rash that resembled purple freckles spreading over her abdomen. She was taken to Prince William Hospital and transferred to Fairfax Hospital in the evening. She is now in the hands of some fabulous doctors from The Children's Hospital who work out of Fairfax Hospital. After spending a couple of days in the Pediatric ICU, she's now back in her own room equiped with a Wii, making her big sister, Hailey, a bit jealous.
Jade will remain in the hospital for the next month and continue treatment for several years to come.
For those of you who have not had the extraordinary experience of meeting Ms. Jade, let me enlighten you. I have never met a person, adult or child, with more personality than Jade. How so much energy, confidence, and fearlessness can be in such a tiny package is beyond my understanding. Jade is the center of the show; always the entertainer. Her sense of humor and her keen understanding of how to make people laugh are well beyond her five years of age. Jade is THE energizer bunny and a fierce competitor (she MUST be number 1!). She has a tough road ahead of her, but if anyone can beat this, it's Jade.
The LGD Joggers for Jobi are proud to now be the LGD Joggers for Jobi and Jade (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.lgdjoggersforjobiandjade.com">http://www.lgdjoggersforjobiandjade.com</a><!-- m -->)! Thank you to all who have donated already. It is very much appreciated! As described on the LLS website, "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $600 million in research funding." This research has helped improve the quality of life and the success rates in the battle against blood cancers dramatically over the years. Today, I am even more grateful for LLS than when I commited to raising this money over a month ago.
If you haven't yet donated and would like to, you can do so by going to http://www.LGDJoggersforJobiandJade.com. All of Jade and Jobi's supporters will be so grateful for your help.
For those in the DC area, we're having an awesome fundraising happy hour next Tuesday, December 8th, downtown at Masa 14 (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.masa14.com">http://www.masa14.com</a><!-- m -->) from 5 to 7:30 (1825 14th Street NW). Come on out for some tapas, free wine and beer, and door prizes, and support a good cause in the process! Invite as many people as you'd like as we have the whole restaurant reserved, but please RSVP to liz@lorigrahamdesign.com by December 6th so we can make sure we are well stocked.
Please keep Jade in your thoughts and prayers. If you'd like to keep up with her progress or show Jade your support, you can visit her special blog that will include postings from her mom, dad, grandma, sister, aunt, and others: http://www.jadesjourney.com. (Special thanks to Uncle Mikey for setting this up.)
Thanks for your support! Feel free to pass this email along to others.
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As you all know from my email a few weeks ago, I've joined a small group with the lofty goal of raising $30,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of the fantastic Jobi Jones. I'm writing you again because I now have another, even more personal, reason that makes raising this money so important to me.
On Sunday, my five-year-old niece, Jade, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7049">http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7049</a><!-- m -->). Her symptoms started the day before Thanksgiving with what was thought to be an abrasion on her abdomen. By Sunday, she had a rash that resembled purple freckles spreading over her abdomen. She was taken to Prince William Hospital and transferred to Fairfax Hospital in the evening. She is now in the hands of some fabulous doctors from The Children's Hospital who work out of Fairfax Hospital. After spending a couple of days in the Pediatric ICU, she's now back in her own room equiped with a Wii, making her big sister, Hailey, a bit jealous.
Jade will remain in the hospital for the next month and continue treatment for several years to come.For those of you who have not had the extraordinary experience of meeting Ms. Jade, let me enlighten you. I have never met a person, adult or child, with more personality than Jade. How so much energy, confidence, and fearlessness can be in such a tiny package is beyond my understanding. Jade is the center of the show; always the entertainer. Her sense of humor and her keen understanding of how to make people laugh are well beyond her five years of age. Jade is THE energizer bunny and a fierce competitor (she MUST be number 1!). She has a tough road ahead of her, but if anyone can beat this, it's Jade.
The LGD Joggers for Jobi are proud to now be the LGD Joggers for Jobi and Jade (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.lgdjoggersforjobiandjade.com">http://www.lgdjoggersforjobiandjade.com</a><!-- m -->)! Thank you to all who have donated already. It is very much appreciated! As described on the LLS website, "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $600 million in research funding." This research has helped improve the quality of life and the success rates in the battle against blood cancers dramatically over the years. Today, I am even more grateful for LLS than when I commited to raising this money over a month ago.
If you haven't yet donated and would like to, you can do so by going to http://www.LGDJoggersforJobiandJade.com. All of Jade and Jobi's supporters will be so grateful for your help.
For those in the DC area, we're having an awesome fundraising happy hour next Tuesday, December 8th, downtown at Masa 14 (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.masa14.com">http://www.masa14.com</a><!-- m -->) from 5 to 7:30 (1825 14th Street NW). Come on out for some tapas, free wine and beer, and door prizes, and support a good cause in the process! Invite as many people as you'd like as we have the whole restaurant reserved, but please RSVP to liz@lorigrahamdesign.com by December 6th so we can make sure we are well stocked.
Please keep Jade in your thoughts and prayers. If you'd like to keep up with her progress or show Jade your support, you can visit her special blog that will include postings from her mom, dad, grandma, sister, aunt, and others: http://www.jadesjourney.com. (Special thanks to Uncle Mikey for setting this up.)
Thanks for your support! Feel free to pass this email along to others.
I Am Mike
4 wheels: '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)
No longer onyachin.
4 wheels: '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)
No longer onyachin.