My dear friends and family,

I have always loved a good challenge, almost as much as I love a good opportunity. Put them together and it's an irresistible carrot! Do you remember the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? At one point in his adventure, he comes to a ledge, he looks down to see how far he would fall if he failed the leap. He sees no bottom. Should Indie turn back, or should he try to cross?

This is a wonderful metaphor for life. There is no guarantee that he will not fall if he jumps; there is also no guarantee that he will fall if he jumps. Whether or not he will fall lies solely in how he sees his options. In one hand is his fear of failure (and falling) and in the other is his fear of not trying. In your mind, which is worse? In order to be able to jump he has to have faith, and he does. Eyes closed, he steps off the ledge and onto a heretofore unseen bridge. That's life.

On December 13th of this year I will run the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles) with the Leukemia Society's Team in Training. This wouldn't be such a big deal if I could run more than 2 miles without wanting to barf.

When I was first presented with this opportunity last month, I instantly said NO WAY!! As soon as the words left my mouth I wondered why I had such a reaction. It wasn't because I can't run; I am perfectly healthy. I was afraid to try! What if I found out I couldn't do it? Well, NOBODY'S going to tell me I can't do something, especially ME!! So I AM GOING TO RUN THE HONOLULU MARATHON on December 13th, and I'm GOING TO FINISH! On the same day! So there! I'll show you, uh, I mean me...

This year my cousin Ben became really sick and went to the doctor. We thought he had pneumonia, but we were wrong. What he had come down with was Leukemia. He was 23 years old, 2 years younger than I. Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood forming tissues, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. It appears as uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal blood cells.

When Leukemia strikes, millions of abnormal and useless white blood cells accumulate in the tissues, preventing the production of normal cells. It is estimated that Leukemia and its related cancers will strike over 100,000 Americans this year alone. Leukemia is the number one killing disease of children yet it affects ten times as many adults. The cause of Leukemia remains unknown. However, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and steady advances in research bring us closer every day to finding the cause of Leukemia and its related cancers - Lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease, and Myeloma - and probable cures. Leukemia Society sponsored research has been the catalyst for effective treatments of these and other related cancers, including breast and lung cancer. In the 1998 fiscal year, the Northern California chapter of the Leukemia Society will raise $6 million. 75% of this money goes towards research, education and patient support.

After months of grueling chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant from his brother, Ben is slowly coming out of danger. His living through Leukemia makes my fear about whether or not I can finish a marathon seem pretty insignificant, doesn't it? Remember, whether or not you fail depends solely on how you see your options. That's life.

I have committed to raise at least $2,700 in the name of my cousin, in the hopes that no other family will have to go through the devastation that his has. On the accompanying form, please indicate if you would be willing to help me by contributing to the Leukemia Society. It is 100% tax deductible, and you may either send a check or charge your pledge.

I will update one to two times a month on my progress towards my goal, and who knows, maybe it will inspire you to participate next time. You can walk a half marathon, run a marathon, or cycle a century. They will provide all of the training you need. Care for a challenge? How about an opportunity?