Thursday, June 28, 2007

Walking for Casey




Jacob Michaels, a friend of Casey's from the Collegian is doing a walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Casey's name.

You can check it out here:

This is the email that Jacob sent me about it. Some of you probably received it.
I hope you're all doing well. I know it's been ages since I've talked with some of you. Life here is much the same as it ever is -- me hating my job and being single. Some things never change. : )
What I'm really writing to tell you about, though, is Hike for Discovery, a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fund-raiser that I'm really, really excited to be taking part in. The program takes 200 volunteers from across the country through several months of training and preparation before bringing us together for a hike into the Grand Canyon.
I'll be hiking in memory of Casey.
It's funny, for everyone else I've sent this letter to, I've spent this graf talking about Casey and what she was like. Of course, you were all lucky enough to know her. It's been just over three years since she died, and I know I still tear up when I think about her. I wanted to share something about her, and I don't think I've told any of you this story.
Casey helped me make a friend when I first moved into this job four years ago. It turned out one of our business writers had come to Allentown via South Carolina, where she'd worked with Casey. I was recently trying to remember how we'd dscovered that we both knew her and drawing a blank -- I suspect I told her I was a UMass alum and she said she knew someone from there, but it's not really important. I just thought it was neat that Casey was able to help me meet someone even though she was, at that time, back in Massachusetts.
There are an estimated 747,465 Americans living with blood cancers, and I'm sure everyone reading this has known or knows someone fighting a battle with cancer. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and adults under 20 years old. There are 493,104 people living with lymphoma and this year there will be a new case of myeloma diagnosed every 30 minutes. There is, however, significant progress being made. The relative 5-year survival rate for leukemia has more than tripled in the last 45 years.Since its founding in 1949, the society has invested more than $411 million in research, which has led to key advances in understanding blood cancers and has produced new treatments.
The society's chapters also offer patient service programs, including support groups, peer counseling and patient financial aid.I have set a personal goal of raising $6,000 by Sept. 12, 2007. Of that money, 75 percent will go directly toward research and patient services. Your contribution can help me reach that goal, and every dollar is tax deductible. You can also check at your work place -- lots of companies do corporate matches, which would double the amount you're giving.
Please make your checks out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (or LLS if you want to save some time),c/o Jacob W. Michaels815 Brookfield CircleMacungie, PA 18062Or to make it even easier, you can just go to my Hike for Discovery Web page and donate there via credit card.
The URL is www.active.com/donate/hfdepa/JacobHike. The site also has a link to a site with memories of Casey, if you'd like to learn more about who she was.
Thanks in advance,
Jacob

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Casey Kane tennis tournament

Holyoke High school tennis coach Bill Rigali is running the second annual Casey Kane Tennis Tournament this weekend (June 8-9) at the Holyoke Canoe Club.

He passed along the info for anyone who is interested:

"Tournament June 8 & 9 at Holyoke Canoe Club. June 8 round robin mens and womens singles starting at 5 :30PM Sat mens and womens round robin doubles at 10 am - Mixed at 12 noon. cost $5 per event. Bring one can of tennis balls. T- shirts can be purchased for $7 at event. $500.00 was awarded June 1 on class day to a graduating senior in Casey's name."