Kami Wilwol

Originally written September 22, 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

For those of you who I haven’t seen in a while, about five weeks ago I began a great physical challenge. On January 18, I will be running a full marathon (yes all 26.2 miles) as a Team in Training member for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As many of you know, this is a very personal cause for me, as I have lost two wonderful friends to leukemia. Within months of each other, while I was at RPI working on my graduate degree, two friends of mine were diagnosed with leukemia.

Mike Lacasse and I began our friendship very early on… we were probably only six or seven when we started playing soccer on the traveling team in Cambridge together. I can’t even begin to list the number of my childhood memories that include Mike, from that early love of soccer all through high school, even keeping in touch through college and into our professional careers. I can say, it was truly my privilege to have encountered such a wholesome, talented, and sincere friend. Whether it was carpooling to school events, working on houses for the less-fortunate, playing sports, or even discovering our interest in architecture together behind those drafting tables in Mr. Pasco’s class. I remember our heart-to-hearts about high school love, the future, life… Mike always inspired me to be a good person and to hold out for the best in life which he convinced me I deserved.

Julie Frezon and I were voted “most alike” in our sorority pledge class, freshman year at RPI. She was always there whether it was at 2am to get coffee at Dunkin Donuts when we needed a break from studying or to go running early in the morning when everyone else was too tired (or more likely hungover). One of the conversations that sticks in my head the most is when we were discussing the fact that she was sick and I had so much admiration for her courage and positive attitude through all that she was going through. I just couldn’t for the life of me figure out how she did it. Her words to me were “you would do the same if you had to”… I am not sure I believe that but I know she did and I can tell you, there will be times over the next few months when I will remember her confidence in me. I will need the motivation and I’m lucky to have such memories.

I will be running in memory of both Mike and Julie, as well as for honored teammates in my local area. I began my involvement last winter upon returning to Virginia after Julie’s funeral. I didn’t know what I could do, or where to start. So being a child of the computer age, I did the logical thing and began surfing the internet. I easily found a link to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, based in White Plains, NY. It is the fastest growing non-profit health organization nationwide. I began to read about Team in Training (TNT), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s endurance training program. It provides athletes of all skill levels with coaching, camaraderie, travel and accommodations for a variety of events around the world. TNT is the #1 endurance training program in the world, the largest marathon training programin the country, and most importantly, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s largest national fundraiser… and lil ole me is now a part of all this.

So every Saturday morning, instead of watching cartoons or sleeping in, I meet my coaches and teammates at 7:00 am for our weekly “group run”, and the weekdays in between I have a rigorous workout schedule to follow. This past weekend, I ran 9 miles, which is the farthest I have ever run at one time before, and even further than I drive to work every day! You may all be thinking that I have finally lost it… but in reality, training to run 26.2 miles is nothing compared to what patients with blood related cancers go through on a daily basis.

In exchange for training and support, I have agreed to raise money toward cures for leukemia, the leading disease killer of children; Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the largest group of blood cancers; and myeloma, a nearly incurable cancer that particularly strikes the elderly and African Americans.

I have personally committed to a raising $4,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I realize this isboth a huge physical and monetary challenge (trust me I am working my butt off at both aspects!), therefore I would greatly appreciate your help. Your participation, no matter how big or small, will help me get one step closer to crossing the finish line!

Now you are probably wondering, how do you contribute and when? I have enclosed a donation form with information about your tax-deductible contribution. For Visa, MasterCard or American Express donations, follow the instructions on the form and please be sure to fill out all the information. Please make personal checks payable to: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Many corporations have matching contribution programs for their employees, so I encourage you to ask the human resources department where you work. If they do, please attach your company’s gift form and return it with the donation form. I ask that you please return your completed donation form to me by October 18thand I will take care of the rest. You can still make contributions after this date, but if you can send it by then it will help me track my progress better.

Thank you so much for your support and for anything you can contribute. I cannot express my gratitude enough for taking the time to read my letter and for considering the opportunity to help. Please remember your tax-deductible contribution will not only help me reach my personal goals, but it could save a life or make an important difference in the fight against blood related cancers.

With Love,

Kami Wilwol

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