Fall Season Week 10

We had a great time on Saturday, visiting with our Patient Honorees. Thanks to Michelle King for organizing it, AJ Zenkert for offering his house to hold it at, and to all of you for helping make it possible for our friends to be survivors.

"The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed." - Martina Navratilova



Fundraising Tip
Be sure to ask around to all of your donors about Matching Funds. Lot's of large corporations offer this benefit to their employees at 50% or sometimes even 100% of the funds donated by the employee. The employee must complete the necessary paperwork.

Training Tip
"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens

Hot Weather Running
There’s good and bad news about running in the heat.
Posted Monday, 5 June, 2006
First, the bad news: When the temperature rises about 55 degrees F (10 degrees C), you’re going to run more slowly and feel worse than you will at lower temperatures. But by gradually preparing yourself for increased temperatures and taking action from the beginning of hot weather runs, you’ll get a welcome dose of the good news. You’ll learn how to hydrate yourself, what to wear, and when and how much your body can take in hot weather, all of which will help you recover faster and run better than others of your ability on hot days. While even the most heat-adapted runners won’t run as fast on hot days as they can on cold ones, they won’t slow down as much nor will they feel as much discomfort.
Until the temperature rises to about 65 degrees F, most runners don’t notice much heat buildup, even though it is already putting extra burdens on the system. It takes most folks about 30 to 45 minutes of running (with or without walk breaks) to feel warm. But soon after that, if the temperature is above about 62 degrees F, you’re suddenly hot and sweating. On runs and especially races under those conditions, most runners have to force themselves to slow down. It’s just too easy to start faster than you should when the temperature is between 60 and 69 degrees F because it feels cool at first.
As the mercury rises about 65 degrees F, your body can’t get rid of the heat building up. This causes a rise in core body temperature and an early depletion of fluids through sweating. The internal temperature rise also triggers the rapid dispersion of blood into the capillaries of the skin, reducing the amount of that vital fluid that is available to the exercising muscles. Just when those workhorses are being pushed to capacity, they are receiving less oxygen and nutrients. What used to be a river becomes a creek and can’t remove the waste products of exercise (such as lactic acid). As these accumulate, your muscles slow down.
Scheduling
The best time for hot weather running is before sunrise. The more you can run before sunrise, the cooler you will feel, compared with how you’ll feel later in the day. The second best time to run, by the way, is right after sunrise, unless the temperature cools off dramatically at sunset, which would make that time more favorable. In humid areas, however, it usually doesn’t cool down much after sunset.
Some tips on how to say cool at 55 degrees F or above
• Slow down early – The later you wait to slow down, the more dramatically you’ll slow down at the end and the longer it will take to recover from the run. Walk breaks, early and often, help you lower the exertion level, which conserves resources for the end and reduces heat buildup.
• Wear lighter garments – Loose-fitting clothes allow heat to escape. Don’t wear cotton clothing. Sweat soaks into cotton, causing it to cling to your skin, increasing heat buildup. Several materials will wick the perspiration away from your skin: Coolmax, polypro, etc. As moisture leaves your skin, you receive a cooling effect, and these types of materials are designed for this.
• Pour water over yourself – Up to 70 percent of the heat you can lose goes out through the top of your head so regularly pour water over your hair (even if, like me, you are hair challenged). Regularly pouring water on a light, polypro (or a similar material) singlet or tank top will keep you cooler.
• Drink cold water – Not only does cold water leave the stomach of a runner quicker than any type of fluid, it produces a slight physiological cooling effect – and an even greater psychological cooling effect. But don’t drink too much either.

Mission Moment
Nate Robert Wilkos
Middletown, CT
Living with ALL for 1 year, 10 months
Age: 5

Everything was going great. My family was expecting a third child in March. She came on Feb 27, 06 - with some complications. I almost lost my mom and sister, but they both pulled through. Four weeks later, my parents noticed a lump near my ear, the doctor said it was a swollen gland and gave me some antibiotics. Then, another lump grew under my chin. The doctor said to go and see my ENT. The ENT said I had Lyme disease or Mononucleosis, and not to worry. They took some blood and it all came back fine. So the ENT did a biopsy on the lump and it came back as Precursor B-cell Lymphoma. My parent's took me to the oncologist the next day and they did a bone marrow biopsy. I had 30% blast cells and was told that I had pre-B leukemia (ALL). My parent’s world fell apart, but we all made it through the rough part of chemo and I am now in the maintenance part of chemo and doing fine. My hair is even starting to come back!

Fall Season Week 9

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can. - Thomas Carlyle

Fundraising Tip
Email your monthly update reminding others to donate. This is a great way to keep people up to date with your training and fundraising progress. It's also a great time to update your potential donors on your honored patients status.

Training Tip
Wow! We're very proud of all y'all for how well you are doing in the training. More importantly, you should be very proud of yourselves.

As we get into longer times on the road, many of us have concerns and questions about our progress. One of the concerns is "How in the world am I going to be able to be out there for 4 to 6 hours, or more, when I'm barely able to make it 2 hours?"

This question enters everyone's mind at some point of the training. No worries, mate. We've been watching all of you, and believe me, "you look maahvelous!"

This is the reason we increase the length of training a step at a time. This is the reason it is important that you keep up with and keep coming to the training. It's difficult to do long trainings on your own. It's difficult to go from 1.5 hrs to 3 hrs, having missed 2 long trainings. When you're with the other participants and the mentors and coaches you get a lot more support and it's easier.

Another of the concerns is we may still be experiencing some soreness a day or two after a long training. I'm talking about general muscle soreness in the quads and calves. If you're experiencing chronic or sharp, localized pain, that may be something that needs to be attended to by a specialist.

Approximately every other week, we're increasing the time we spend on the road by 30 to 60 minutes. Should your muscles be sore? Of course. Expect them to be sore, plan for them to be sore, look forward to them being sore. This kind of pain is weakness leaving the body. Muscle soreness is a result of working the muscles more than they're used to. The muscles rebuild, stronger, over the next day or two of rest and recovery. Active rest the next day helps prevent you from stiffening up and keeps blood flowing to the muscles so they get the nutrients they need. The harder you work now, the more fun you'll have during your event. 4-5 hrs of fun vs. 6-8 hrs of misery; you choose (that's for runners, walkers extrapolate).

What can you do to minimize the soreness?

Stretch - Not just after the first mile and at the end of training, but whenever you can. When you're watching TV, pull a knee up toward an opposite shoulder and hold it for 30 seconds. Then the other one. When you're riding an escalator, hang your heels over the edge of the step and stretch your calves (easiest to do one at a time). If you have to bend over to pick something up, make that an opportunity to stretch your hamstrings. Stretch all the time.

Ice - Do an ice bath as soon after training as you can. Ice periodicly (about 20 minutes on, 45 - 60 minutes off).

Massage - Whenever you can, massage the sore muscles.
I have no doubt that each of you is capable of accomplishing your goal and completing your event. You're reaching levels of fitness that you may not have ever had before in your life. You are becoming stronger, in body and mind. Believe it.

Mission Moment
Mother of Eddie Jr. Velasquez
Owings, MD
Living with AML for 2 years, 3 months
Age: 24

I am here because I was just doing a little research on support groups, etc. I came across this site and think it's great to be able to share your stories. My son was diagnosed with AML on November 7, 2005. He has fought very hard and the treatment has really taken a toll on him. But overall he is doing well considering, and he is currently in remission a year as of December 7, 2006.

He is 23 now, and this was one of the most difficult times in my life as a mother. I try so hard to help him and be there for him now and always, but he is a grown man and doesn't always want my help. I wrote a poem for him when he turned 23, because a year ago I didn't think he was going to make it to 23. It was the hardest battle of his life and on my heart. He is strong willed and just a beautiful person. I Love him so much, I just pray everyday and thank the lord for blessing me and allowing me to have my son in my life another day. I know with faith and love that God and my son will prevail!

Here is my poem for my son Eddie on his 23 Birthday:

With Me

My son Eddie has turned 23, and I didn't think this day I would see.

He's been through hell, I know this to be, and with God's blessings, he is still here with me.

I remember that moment, the nightmare came to be. I sat and watched him through the night and prayed to God to let him stay here with me.

I called his Daddy and my sister and cried so hard with pleas, I couldn't understand how this could happen to my baby.

My world had come to an end and completely stood still, the day I found out my son was very ill.

I questioned my life, my God, and my heart, how this could happen to my son, with whom I knew I could not live a part.

All around me the world continued on, but I couldn't focus, and felt my life was gone.

He is so young, he has so much to give, he is so handsome and strong, but in my mind, still a kid.

He's barely done anything much in his life, like see the world, dream a big dream, make a lifetime friend, or even have a wife.

I asked God to please, please, please let him stay here with me. I could not be here on this earth today or tomorrow without my baby.

I felt selfish, angry and hated the world. I wanted my son here with me and his family; I would have sold my soul to make it a reality.

After some time, as the word got out, there were people from near and far, praying for my son with out any doubts. They knew with God's power, he would be alright, and all they had to do was join forces and pray for his life.

From the love, and the prayer and my son's will to fight, it ended my shock that kept me from life.

He fought this disease hard and long, and had many setbacks, but he remained very strong.

Next thing I knew, he decided to come home to be with his Mama and my heart sang a song.

Many prayers were answered during his fight, many friends gathered around, from his hometown that night. They gave their support through laughter and cheers, at the close of the bash we all shared a tear.

It's these unbearable things that can go wrong, that make you realize it's the love of our family that keeps us strong. It's not money, nor material things, but the love for my child that makes my heart sing.

It's God's blessings, and the miracles he performs, the same type of miracle as when my baby was born. God was there for me then and he is here for me now, I know he is with me when I see my son's smile.

My days are much brighter as you can see, the blessings of love I have with my family. The biggest blessing of all, and I'm sure you'll agree, is that I have my son here with me, and he's now 23!

Thank You God, for letting me keep my baby here with me and for this special day I didn't think I would see.

Fall Season Week 8

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination. - Tommy Lasorda

Fundraising Tip
Make copies of your letter and keep it in your purse or car. Make sure you give one to people you run into on the street. You never know!

Training Tip
*Take a few minutes to read this article!* It has some very important training information. The author is talking to triathletes, but it applies equally to cyclists and marathoners.
Five Nutritional and Strength and Conditioning Mistakes Athletes Make

This week starts hill/track training. This training is very beneficial regardless of whether you are a runner, walker or run/walker. Just remember that hill training is one of the activities that Rob Barnes mentioned can cause some injuries if you do too much too soon. So start easy and work into it through the season as you build your strength.

Frequently asked Questions
WHAT IS RECOMMITMENT?
It's that wonderful time in the season when we take a look at how well your training is going and how well your fundraising is going and determine whether it is wise to continue on. We really want to cure cancer so we want to inspire all of you to continue on, but we don't want you to pay your fundraising minimum yourselves unless that is your choice. We ask for a credit card number at recommitment because we want you to confirm your commitment to raising the necessary funds to get you to your event and fulfill the Society's mission of 75 cents on every dollar going to research and patient services. After recommitment I will begin booking travel, making sure we have a great hotel lined up, registering everyone for their event, and verifying our parties are secured. Please be sure to fill out the paperwork thoroughly so we don't have a lot of changes and fees. Don't forget, you have 30 days after your event to continue to raise funds, so even if I do have to charge that $200 to your card, you'll have time to make up the difference for a refund.

Mission Moment
In Memory Of William Fischer
WI
Lived with Lymphoma T-Cell for 1 year, 4 months

My father died in 1994 after a fast, but courageous battle with T-Cell Lymphoma. I miss him so very much, and wish every day that he could be here. My biggest sorrow is that my daughter and son will never have a chance to know their grandfather.

I pray every day that new treatments will be developed so that other fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters can live longer, fuller lives.

Fall Season Week 7

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
- Lewis Carroll

Fundraising Tip
Send a Postcard Reminder to those who haven't donated yet. Be sure to update your list at this time as you may have realized someone you forgot earlier or you may have recently met someone new.

Training Tip
Bumblebees and Racehorses
(Excerpted from “The Triathlete’s Training Bible” by Joel Friel)

A few years ago, scientists at NASA developed an interest in the bumblebee. The lab folks reckoned that the little insect held some secrets of flight that may provide answers to questions about operating in space. After all, they asked, how could such small wings produce efficient lift for a relatively large and hairy torso? And how could a round body and flight position that violated many principles of aerodynamics move so effectively through the air? Indeed, there was much to learn from the little hummer.

So the scientists set about studying the bumblebee to discover its flying secrets. After weeks of study, they came to one conclusion: Bumblebees are not capable of flight.

Fortunately, no one told the bumblebee. The silly insects go right on believing that flight is normal for them despite what the best minds in the scientific world know as fact.

We can learn a lot from the bumblebee. The single most critical piece of the endurance sport puzzle is believing in yourself and your capacity to succeed. “If you think you can or think you can’t,” Henry Ford said, “you’re probably right.” The bumblebee thinks it can fly. Actually, the thought of anything else never even crosses its tiny mind. It just keeps on flying.

Then there’s the racehorse. Have you ever been to a horse race? The physiology of equine athletes is similar to that of human athletes, and they are trained in much the same manner as a runner. They use heart rate monitors, train with intervals and endurance, follow a periodization plan, and eat a diet designed to enhance performance.

Psychologically, racehorses differ a great deal from athletes. They never question their training preparation. When it comes time for a workout designed by their trainer, they do it without wondering if it’s enough. They don’t go out in the morning and put in a few extra junk miles for “insurance.” They don’t worry and fret after a poor performance. Stable life goes on as usual.

On race day, racehorses are nervous just as human athletes are; they know what is about to happen, but they don’t magnify the tension by comparing themselves with the other horses (“Look at the legs on that stud!”). Instead, they are very purposeful in their approach to training and racing. There is but one reason for everyday existence – to get faster. If the horse is physically strong and the trainer is smart, this happens.

If you are to succeed in training, the first thing you must do is believe in yourself just as the bumblebee does. Without this, all of the science in the world won’t do any good. Also, you must have a purposeful, racehorse trust in your training. Continually second-guessing and changing training direction after every race are a sure way to fail.

Think like a bumblebee. Train like a horse.

Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE SOME NEW APPROACHES TO TREATMENT?
• Monoclonal Antibodies- The treatment fuses radioactive iodine to a monoclonal antibody. These antibodies are used as guided missiles to target and destroy malignant cells in leukemia patients. Since the antibody attaches to specific sites on the surface of the cancerous white blood cells but not to normal tissues, it focuses the radiation effect on the leukemia cells.
• Blood Cell Growth Factors-These are naturally occurring body proteins that help regulate the number of blood cells in circulation. These factors can be genetically engineered into drugs and used to treat acute leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
• Umbilical Cord Blood- Transplant specialists use blood from the umbilical cord and placenta of newborns to replace the diseased marrow of children with leukemia who no longer responded to conventional methods of treatment. Umbilical cord blood is an excellent source of stem cells (also present in marrow) that can reconstitute a healthy blood cell population. LSA researchers were among the first in the nation to perform cord blood transplants from unrelated donors.
• New Drugs-Leukemia & Lymphoma Society researchers are evaluating drugs in development and novel drug combinations as the foundation for more promising new treatments. The use of purine nucleotides such as 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA), is under investigation for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia.

Mission Moment
In Memory Of
Luz E. Burgos
New York, NY
Lived with Leukemia - rare type for 2 months

My mother was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia on Mother's Day of 2006, at the age of 62. Unfortunately, she died two months later. She chose to spend the rest of her days at Zicklin Hospice in NYC. They made her last days absolutely wonderful. Until the day she passed she had a smile on her face because of all the support she received. Please, please, if your loved one chooses this path, please support them and enjoy the time they have left. My mother was an amazing woman full of life, love and happiness. She lived and died that way.