Leukemia Cup Regatta Fundraising

As many of you know, Honore and I are large supporters of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and every year we fundraise in support of the Leukemia Cup Regatta. This year, the 13th Leukemia Cup in Chicago, will be hosted by Columbia Yacht Club on August 21st & 22nd.

I am attaching our fundraising letter for this year, as I think it sums up so many important reason we support the Society, and need your help.

If you have any interest in attending this year's event, please contact me and I can get you more information. twilhite@emergent1.com

Here's this year's letter......

June 15, 2009

Dear Friends,
We survived my Stem Cell Transplant in September. It was the most difficult thing we have ever gone through. My body was strong; my will to survive great, and my support group was amazing, including the wonderful love and strength shown by Honore. I triumphed, and the cancer is back in remission. I blogged about the journey if you are interested, log onto honitrav.blogspot.com.
However, my cancer remains incurable. My oncologist says I have a 50-50 chance of making 5 years in remission. Beyond that, it’s only a matter of time before the cancer returns. When it relapses, we have to use the last line of defense against my disease, a donor stem cell transplant.
Fortunately, my brother is a perfect match. Unfortunately, even with a perfect match, the procedure is extremely difficult, carries a 25% mortality rate, and only a 65% success rate. If it fails, they have to re-introduce my current stem cells and then it will be a long, slow battle until the cancer finally overwhelms my system.
So once again, Honore, Hope and I are supporting the Leukemia Cup Regatta here in Chicago. Hopefully, we can keep my cancer at bay long enough for medical research to find a cure for my disease, or another course of treatment to buy us more time.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the best way to support this effort, because of their dedication to finding a cure for blood cancers like mine. And the fact that 80% of the money raised goes directly to research.
We have met several researchers, including Dr. Janet Rowley, one of the world’s foremost Chromosomal Geneticists and widely regarded as potentially winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine. They have all indicated that without our support through the Society, many of the best treatments and medicines would never have been researched. We fund the early stages of development, before a procedure or medicine is big enough to earn government support. So in many ways, the money we raise is the MOST important.
Will you please help us in this effort? Simply, log on to www.sailtravis.com or complete the form below and return it. Understanding this has been a tough year for many, we appreciate any contribution as even small amounts can make a HUGE difference.
The Regatta festivities this year include a silent auction and party on Friday night, August 21st and racing on Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon followed by a dock party and awards ceremony at Columbia Yacht Club. Mark your calendars today! With your help, we are going to beat this disease. Thank you for your support.

Love,

Honore & Travis