Teaming in Training Fundraising Letter

OK, so you know that I can run a marathon or two or a hundred. But can I raise $13,000 over the next six months to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society? That is the challenge set before me by our local Team in Training chapter of LLS. The Fresno Branch of Team in Training started when 38 runners completed the San Francisco Marathon in June of 1998 and raised money for the LLS. I was the coach of that original team and am now entering my 13th year of coaching TNT.

Throughout those years of coaching, I have never undertaken the daunting task of fundraising as well as coaching. Recently seeing other coaches succeed at those dual roles, I have decided to do a double-double. I’m going to fundraise and coach the next two seasons (which overlap). Oh, and along the way I’m going to run the Vancouver (May) and Anchorage (June) Marathons with Team. My coordinator, Rosemary Mahoney, suggested that I set a goal of $1000 for every year that I have coached TNT; hence, the $13,000 figure.

Fifty of those runners whom I’ve coached over the years (each wearing a shirt with the name of a state), were there to greet me at midnight at the Fresno Airport last November as I was returning from having run a marathon in all 50 states and DC. I’ve always stressed the importance of Team in “Team in Training” in achieving our running and fundraising goals. The picture of the Summer 2009 team after running around Bass Lake is just one example of those teams. This season’s honorees including Jessica Avalos and Mayela Mendez have a brand new team supporting them by raising money, running miles, and building relationships. (See these pictures on the back.)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and Myeloma and improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Leukemia is the number one killing disease of children, yet it affects 10 times as many adults. Every season I have met incredible honorees who are fighting these diseases. Some are very young children and some are adults with families and children of their own. They all have incredible stories to tell. During the course of the next six months, I will bring you some of their stories. I have been, and will be interviewing some of them and will give you “Where are they now?” updates on a regular basis. As an example, Scott Orcutt was 7 years old when he was an honoree for our first season; he is now on this season’s team, training to run the Los Angeles marathon. Other honorees have graduated from college, have had children, and some have passed away.
The much larger number of those who today survive and go on to lead long, healthy lives compared to years past is due in large part to the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and steady advances in research thanks to sponsors like you! Take just a minute to donate - there is no better feeling than to give to for a greater cause. For those of you whom I coached, I challenge you to give a dollar for every race mile that I’ve coached you. Become part of the team again and run this journey with me and give what you can.
For those who do contribute, I will e-mail out the honoree (and some alumni and staff) updates directly to you. Highlights will also be posted on my web page so be sure to check it regularly. I will compile and bind the updates and send them at the end of the seasons to all those who give $100 or more.
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. I know times may be difficult for us all right now, but any donation amount will be greatly appreciated and will make a difference in the lives of others. And of course your donation is 100% tax deductible.
My fundraising web page is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/vancouvr11/jvolkman
Please pass information about my page to your friends and check back often to see my progress. Thank you so much!

John D. Volkman

How to Donate to TNT

How to Donate:
Take just a minute to donate - go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/vancouvr11/jvolkman for convenient online giving. There is no better feeling than to give to a greater cause. You can visit my website regularly to check on my progress. All donations are completely tax deductible. If you prefer to mail a check, make checks payable to LLS & mail to:

John Volkman
8380 N. Raisina Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
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$1000
I cried when I read or watched A Walk to Remember and want to go above and beyond.
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$500
I remember 49er coach Bill Walsh and 60 Minutes’ Ed Bradley died from Leukemia
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$100
I want that bound edition booklet about past honorees
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$52.40
I want to give $1/mile for both marathons and have my name on one of the marathon miles.→
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$26.20
I’m good for $1/mile for one marathon
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Other
$_____
A dollar for every TNT mile I raced; Or what I’m able to give at this time.