With all the stress, tragedy and pain in the world it is so easy to become jaded and reach the conclusion that the human race is simply doomed!

And then the miracle of the human spirit slaps you in the face and a sense of hope thaws cynical bones.

I had this experience today:

In the midst of possibly my busiest week ever, with the news blaring in the background about the dismal Wall Street day yesterday peppered with Lindsey Lohan’s woes, my cousin Colleen approached me with a request to support her in her run for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I blinked perched above the 30 emails I had to get out and the tower of things I thought were important and suddenly realized that I needed to stop everything and really pay attention. 

It’s not just that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is possibly one of the most important charities people  can support  (http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_chap).  It is amazing.

And it is not just that it was my cousin – an exemplary young woman who is working full time and going to university full time.

It was the fact that she was actually doing something.  Literally getting up off her bottom and physically doing something that could make a difference.

It is young people like Colleen that give me hope about our collective futures.  I stopped immediately wrote her a check and told help I would reach out to friends of mine and ask them to do the same. 

So all cynicism aside, all complaints about the state of our world aside, and all excuses aside, please join me in applauding Colleen’s problem solving initiative and make a donation to this worthy cause.  It does not cost much $5, $10, $50 to feed the flame of human optimism.  And do me a favor – pass it on to others who you think agree.

Thanks so much – Sarah and I send our love and best wishes.

Robin Cowie

How YOU can Help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Hi All!

I have decided to run a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For those of you who do not know me personally this is a MAJOR undertaking as I am not a runner by any means.

Over the past 10 weeks I have been training with Team In Training. We have a coach and mentor who personally guide us through this journey. Training is going well, I am now up to 12 miles!

So, this is where you come in… I have to raise at least $3900, obviously more is welcome! The proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is your part, I think it’s the easy part, you’re not running the 26.2 miles! LOL.

Seriously though, please help me help this wonderful cause. Here is the link to my fundraising site.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntcfl/tntcflCDarwen

The deadline to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through my race is August 11, 2007. So please don’t delay, donate today.

If you would prefer to write a check make it out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or just LLS, and mail it to me at: 

Colleen Darwent

130 Minnehaha Circle

Maitland, FL 32751

Please pass this on to everyone you know so that we can work together for this awesome mission.

Take a moment to consider how much your contribution means to the victims of blood cancers.

I want to thank you in advance for your generous donations, your help is much appreciated, not only by me, but also by all those who are suffering. Please feel free to send me a picture of a loved one who you would like me run in honor of.

Yours Sincerely,
Colleen Darwent