Helping to fight cancer
Letter to the Editor
Juniors Conor Murphy and Brionne Clary as well as 14 year-old Scott Delgadillo of San Diego shared a deep love of Notre Dame and touched the hearts of countless people on this campus. Their recent deaths have brought the Notre Dame family together as we grieve their loss and celebrate their lives. No one will ever forget the way each of them inspired us with their strength, courage and faith over these past months.
These three beautiful people also shared the fate of being stricken with leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This cancer is the No. 1 disease killer of children under the age of 15. However, it is not just a killer of children. Leukemia strikes nearly 10 times as many adults as children. More than half of all the cases occur in persons over age 60. Every week there are 1,900 new cases of leukemia and the related diseases of lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin's disease diagnosed in the United States. Each week approximately 1,100 Americans die of these diseases. No one has to look very far to find a relative, neighbor or friend who has been part of these tragic numbers.
We can grieve the deaths of these three incredible members of the Notre Dame family but what can we do to continue their fight against these diseases? One of the answers came in the overwhelming student response last year to register as bone marrow donors. If you missed this opportunity, you can register by contacting blood donor services at the South Bend Medical Foundation 234-4176 Ext. 6-411.
Another answer might be to join The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training (TNT) where you would be a symbol of hope for local leukemia patients. TNT has trained more than 60,000 runners, walkers and cyclists and raised more than $160 million for cancer research since its launch in 1988. You are matched with a local patient with a blood cancer in whose honor you walk, run or cycle and raise funds for a cure. Instead of a local patient, you could choose someone you know who is struggling with the disease or dedicate your fundraising and athletic efforts in memory of Conor, Brionne or Scott.
Team in Training gives its members comprehensive coaching and training as well as fundraising support. They ask healthy people to run, walk or cycle on behalf of those stricken with leukemia. Upcoming events include the Indianapolis Life 500 Half Marathon (May 5), the Suzuki Rock `n' Roll Marathon in San Diego (Scott's home) on June 3, America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (100 miles) in Lake Tahoe on June 3 and the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, Ala. on June 23. All team members have to raise set amounts of money for leukemia research. In exchange, Team in Training provides travel, accommodations, entry fees and other logistics for these events. Running a half marathon or a marathon, biking 100 miles, or walking a marathon is no easy task. It becomes much easier when you realize the daily struggle leukemia victims face in their battle with this cancer.
The local chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training is just starting up its training program for the events listed above and there are members of the Notre Dame community already committed. If you are interested in joining the fight against leukemia in this fashion, please contact Kim Dueringer at (219) 264-7334 or e-mail her (kim_dueringer@yahoo.com). The TNT website is www.lsa-teamintraining.org.
The lives of Conor Murphy, Brionne Clary and Scott Delgadillo were taken too soon by leukemia. Do what you can to help find the cure for future generations.
Tim Rippinger
Development Department
February 4, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, February 5, 2001
