June 15, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

I have joined Team In Training through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of my wonderful husband, Tom Hagedorn. I'm asking you to help honor his memory and others dealing with some form of blood cancer by making a donation to my fundraising campaign.

As many of you know, Tom became an active volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) after his bone marrow transplant in 2007. While at the City of Hope hospital, we witnessed the impact blood cancer has not only on adults but on children as well. Blood cancers historically have received little if no federal funding for research yet Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Seeing the treatments children had to endure broke mine and Tom's heart. Through this experience, Tom made it his personal mission to help LLS raise funds to help find a cure. Tom used to say, "The biggest wrong in this world are kids suffering from this horrible disease." In an effort to keep his mission alive, I have joined Team In Training. In exchange for fundraising for the society, they will train me to run a marathon. I have just begun training for the San Francisco, Nike Women's Marathon which will take place in October!

Please use the below link to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation

Support Melissa and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Sincerely,

Melissa Hagedorn