Happy Birthday, Mom

March 29, 2007. Five years ago today, my mom celebrated her new birthday – Day One of her new life. At OHSU in Portland, after several days of chemo and radiation, Mom received an infusion of healthy stem cells from an anonymous donor. The "Tabasco sauce-y looking” cells (as she described them) held the hope of recovery and remission after her nearly 3 year battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. The day was spent in hopeful celebration with my brother and dad and some friends. The transplant itself was a success. All traces of the leukemia were eradicated. 

Unfortunately, the after effects of the transplant and overall recovery from such a physically harsh procedure were too much for my mom’s body to handle. She passed away on September 3, 2007. I truly miss her more and more every day. My mom was courageous, energetic, positive and an encouragement to everyone she came in contact with – even in the midst of her own fight for her life.

As you may know, Dan and I are working hard to prepare for our first triathlon on June 24th. No, this is not some wacky New Year’s resolution. We have undertaken this challenge in partnership with Team in Training, a fundraising organization for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Our goal is to raise just over $6000 together by April 12th.

To my friends, family and associates, thank you for getting us to where we are now – just about 40%! We would love to be well over half way by the time we sign our recommitment (point of no return) paperwork with Team in Training on April 13th. So if you haven't given yet, please click on the Donate Now button to the right and give generously! All contributions are tax deductible.

Please continue to visit our blog to watch our progress and please leave a comment so we know you stopped by!


Tonight is swimming with the team. Tune in soon to see how THAT goes!  


-- JAM