Hodgkin's Gets Strong Corporate Advocates

Here's some info that my pal Duane at JournalofaPrizefighter recently shared with me:

Taco Bell President - Greg Creed and Honeywell International - Senior-Vice President Adriane Brown, are emerging as strong advocates for Hodgkin's research.

These two powerful executives reside on the Board of Directors for the Alese Coco - Fight 2 Win Foundation. This New York based foundation is dedicated strictly to Hodgkin's research. Alese was also Duane's friend and they often conversed while she was being treated at Sloan-Kettering. She lost her battle to the Hodge in 2007 at the young age of 23.

On July 1, 2009, Greg Creed and Taco Bell facilitated the taping of the first ever Public Service Announcement for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which was taped at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. The PSA was directed by the Russo Brothers who directed Arrested Development and the motion picture, You, Me & Dupree.

Duane spoke to Paul Coco (Alese's father) last week and he described the PSA as: 'Both challenging and gripping. It will bring much needed attention to a lymphoma that receives far too little consideration from pharmaceutical companies for research. 'The fact is that Hodgkin's has somewhere between 25% - 40% recurrence rate and nearly half of all stem cell transplants fail, and that's unacceptable. We're striving for complete cure.'

The 30 second spot will begin airing nationally on several major networks beginning this September.

Please be sure to check out the foundation's Website and read more about Alese. I've recently emailed with her father and he seems like such an amazing person. I can't wait to see the PSA!

XO

Gap's Give & Get Program Is Back

Just in time for you back to school shopping Gap is offering 30% off of purchases with 5% going towards the charity of your choice, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This sale is going on from July 30 - August 2.

Personally, I'm a huge fanatic of Gap because they always have great sales, benefit causes close to me, AND the clothes they sell always fit me which is a tough feat. I bought a bunch of great stuff there a month or so ago including 2 pairs of $70 jeans for $20 each instead. Can't beat that!

To download your coupon click here. Think about it, the more money you spend, the more money LLS gets, the more financial aid available to blood cancer patients.

Okay, now go spread the words to your friends!

XO

Updates And Pictures

Again, I've been out of commission for a while. I was having such a great time on Block Island with my family and my dog. Swimming, walking the dog every night, enjoying the sun. Then I went off Island to my first improv class for the level 5 session (which went great), and when I got back to the Island that Sunday I had a fever, the chills, and felt awful. It continued for several days, so I headed to the doctors office on Block Island. The doctor here thought I might have Lyme Disease since I had a fever for several days as well as most of the symptoms of it. Apparently, just living in the Northeast makes you at great risk for it. Plus, I've been playing with my dog and walking him and whatnot, so I've been at greater risk. So alas, I went on medication for it, doxycycline, and it was awful. Last night was the last day I could stand it, I ended up throwing up from the nausea associated with it. I've since switched to amoxicillin and hope that I can continue to enjoy my last week on the Island.

Here are some pictures I took tonight. I hope you enjoy!!

XO

Bailey posing with my dad after I asked him if he likes to swim

North Point at sunsetNorth Point at sunset

The Sorta Good And The Crappy

Well folks, I've got some sorta good news and some crappy news. First let's start with the crappy news. I just found out that I didn't get the job at Dana Farber and it went to an internal applicant. I'm really bummed because I thought I was perfect for it and it was all finally going to happen. But alas, someone already in their system got it. 

Now for the sorta good news. I talked to my oncologist the other day and he gave me the results of my PET scan. He said it doesn't look like Hodgkin's, but it looks like there's something in my throat - most likely an infection. But he sounded weird about everything, he's a pretty serious guy anyways, so I'm not sure what to think. Either way, I've got to get rescanned in September at some point so I can be officially clean again. So for now, I'm taking it as I'm clean with some sort of leftover infection from my bout with strep or whatever it was last month. 

I'm still on Block Island and the weather and fresh air is perfect. I just got back from walking my lazy pup and am probably heading to the beach shortly. Might as well enjoy the vacation while I can :) 

XO

Cancer Fighters Award 2009

I stole this post from Duane because he wrote it so well :)

Great Nonprofits.org is running a campaign to identify the top non-profits across the country serving the cancer community.

People who have personal experiences with organizations (volunteers, clients, board members, donors) are encouraged to post reviews and stories on Great Nonprofits.org, and the nonprofit that receives the most positive reviews during July will win the contest. Individuals who participate also have a chance to win prizes.

I'm Too Young For This, Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults, and First Descents are just a few of the organizations nominated.

Visit Great Nonprofits.org for more information about these organizations and to post a review for the one that has made the most difference for you.