Garage Sale Fundraiser

Dear Maria, 

The weather this weekend was a little unpredictable, with chances of snow for the first time in 35 years (!!), therefore our Saturday morning hike was moved to Sunday.  Unfortunately Martha and I planned our Garage Sale Fundraiser for Sunday as well, so I had to skip the hike this weekend.  I was sorry to miss it, however the Garage Sale was a success and we are very happy with the results.  Yay!  I am looking forward to our hike next weekend followed by another Garage Sale in Sacramento. 

xoxo
Stephanie

 

Getting Started!

 Shoes!

 Very comfy chair! (and a pretty lady)

 

Surprise visit from Andrea and Jonas!! Thanks for coming out guys!

 A smart customer always test drives the merchandise!

 Ethan stops by to keep us company!

 I think the tricycle is a winner!

 

 Getting cold and windy

A special thank you to everyone who donated items for us to sell!

Rohan Family

Culley-Rapata Family

DellaVigna Family

Corona Family

Rothschild Family

Letters to Maria

The following letters were written by Maria's younger brother Tony's children.  They are 13 and 10.  I want to thank Tonio and Robert for having the courage to write such beautiful, honest and loving letters to their late Aunt.  Death can be such a strange concept for children to grasp, but sometimes they handle it better than adults and their words carry so much power in their innocence.

Hike #2: Redwood Regional Park

Dear Maria, 

Last weekend, we had our second hike in Oakland at the Redwood Regional Park, where we were graced with spectacular views and warm weather (where did that warmth go??).  We hiked for about 2 hours and boy, did we work up an appetite!  Following our hike we had a potluck for our Honorees, where we all chowed down on yummy food and heard our Honorees', Linda and Claus tell their diagnosis stories.  Sadly, our other Honoree Christina passed away last week and her team mentor spoke about her and shared pictures from her hikes with the team.  Christina's passing is so very sad.  She was just a few years older than you, a full life of memories ahead of her taken away.  I can't imagine how hard it was for her family to let her go and I hope they are at peace with themselves.  

xoxo Stephanie

  

  

 

 

 

Team Honoree Christina Parks

It brings me great sadness to report that one of the Hike Team's Honorees, Christina, passed away on February 8th.  She was in remission with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but her cold turned into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and her family, with the advice of her doctors, decided it was time to let Christina go.  Christina had been on the last three hike teams and she truly believed that by raising money we could beat cancer.  Let's keep her dream alive and get out there and live life to its fullest!  Rest in peace Christina.

Hike #1: Inspiration Point

Dear Maria,

Today we had our first team hike.  1.5 hours on the Nimitz Trail in Tilden Park.  It was an absolutely beautiful morning.  Sunny, warm and breezy with an expansive and clear view of the bay.  It was great getting to know some of my team mates and honorees while walking and am looking forward to next weekend's hike and afterward a gear clinic, where I will hopefully buy my first pair of hiking boots.

xoxo Stephanie

For Maria

Maria and Mario on their wedding day in 1992, with their son Mario Jr.

Last summer I decided to join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training to participate in the Nike Women's Marathon.  Unfortunately, I sustained injuries to both ankles during training that prohibited me from being able to run the Half-Marathon.  I was so disappointed, however Team in Training has allowed me to shift my fundraising and training efforts to a different event.  This season I've joined the Hike Team and am training for a one day hike adventure in the Grand Canyon.

I am enthusiastic about the spring season and challenging myself in a new way.  Our training consists of weekly Saturday hikes in Regional Parks, Coastal Trails, and Mts. around the bay area to prepare us for a 10 hour trek down and back up the Grand Canyon.  While the exact hiking trail I will take the day of my event is not chosen until closer to the event weekend, its sure to be breathtakingly beautiful and one unforgettable experience.

As I did in the previous season, I am hiking in honor of my late sister-in-law, Maria.  Maria lost her battle with cancer in 1993 at the age of 22.  Honoring Maria’s life is something very meaningful for both Martha and myself.  She is missed every day and no one should have to leave behind so many unlived moments.  It is Maria and my team honorees (people who are currently battling blood cancer or who are in remission) Bettina, Christina, Claus, Linda and Nelda who will get me out of bed every Saturday morning to train and give me the encouragement I need to push through the challenges ahead of me.  They are my beacon of strength leading me down the trail.
So, I find myself asking for your financial support.  Asking for money is never easy, at least for me, but I hope you will find it in your heart to contribute to the fight against blood cancers.  NO amount is too small!  Your support and encouragement means so very much to me and the men, woman and children fighting for their lives.

The money you donate not only goes to fund research, but it also financially helps families deal with the cost of hospital stays and medication, which (as many of you know) can be substantial. Furthermore, 100% of whatever amount you donate to LLS is tax-deductible. And you can rest assured knowing that 75% of every dollar you donate goes directly to fund research and patient services. That’s one of the highest percentages out there among charitable organizations. And if that doesn't inspire you, how about this: Leukemia is the No. 1 disease killer of children under 14 years of age and strikes 10 times as many adults.  I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring these people hope and support.  Once again, I am asking for your financial support in my pursuit to raise funds to find a cure for leukemia and other blood-related cancers.  

The easiest way to donate is to visit my fundraising page, where you can donate online, quickly and securely.  You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.  Or, if you prefer to send a check, you can email me and I will send you my home address.  Also, ask your employers (HR Dept) if they have a matching gift program.  Most companies do and that will double the value of your contribution!  Its a win-win situation.

You can also follow my training progress here on my blog.  Here I will be posting pictures of our weekly Saturday hikes and writing about how my training is progressing.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support.  I greatly appreciate your generosity.

A Million Times Thank You!!
Stephanie Dullanty