Where does the money go?

There are two major elements to Team In Training, and so far I've been focusing on the training. But why are here? For the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In exchange for coaching and the support of a team we are raising funds for this organization.

75% of the funds we raise go directly towards research and patient services. That's an amazing figure when you really think about it- and not one that many organizations can boast. My experience with watching a loved one cope with cancer shows that patient services are just as important as the research.

Straight from the LLS, here's a breakdown of what our money can do:

$1000 supports one week’s salary for a medical researcher at UCSF, Stanford, or Berkeley who may discover key information to developing curative treatments for blood cancers.

$500 provides a blood cancer patient with financial assistance for one year.

$500 allows 10 patients to log on to a webcast and hear the latest information in treatment for their disease.

$200 provides a Family Support Group Program for one year for a patient and their family.

$150 allows 5 patients to make a First Connection with a trained peer volunteer.

$100 provides 3 patients access to an information teleconference.

$75 is the average cost of tissue typing to become a bone marrow donor.

$50 is the cost of a CT scan

$40 is the cost of sending a comprehensive packet of information for children with cancer.

$35 pays for transportation expenses for a patient living in Northern California’s most rural areas to treatment at a comprehensive cancer center.

$25 covers a single prescription co-payment.

$5 is the cost of sending a newly diagnosed patient information about support and their disease.

So you know what- if you're thinking you'd like to donate something to this cause, but feel like what you could spare isn't enough think again. Nothing is scarier than the unknown. If you can only donate $5 you should feel great because you're helping to educate someone newly diagnosed with a blood cancer. If you can spare $10 you're helping to cover the cost of their medication.

Just something to think about.