Light The App

Day 98 of...98 Days...This journey has come to a close...

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:19:00 +0000

Tonight we will know exactly what the fruits of our labor have brought to fund research for a cure for blood cancer. Thank you all for the support you have shown to this very important cause. The 900,000 affected by this disease depend upon all of us because without a cure they know within the next 10 minutes it could be them saying goodbye to their families and loved ones for the very last time. Harsh I know but very real. So even though this fund-raising effort for this campaign has come to an end the dollars needed to continue the research have not. I hope you find it in your hearts to continue to spread the word.

Though this journey has come to a close for me Light The App the free iPhone application will always be there as another support mechanism for people to light that virtual candle and write a dedication, inspiration or prayer to a loved one still battling blood cancer or to one who as lost the fight. There you can also continue to donate directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so they can continue to fund that much needed research. That is my gift to you and The Society that will keep on giving long after this campaign.

To our honoree Tressa thank you for being our inspiration. Every time I opened up the blog to write you were encouraging me to push even harder. Our hope is we touched people with your brave fight and story that they too will help us to find that cure so not another precious life like yours is taken abruptly and painfully away by blood cancer leaving the surviving family forever missing you.

Day 97 of...98 Days...The night before

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:08:00 +0000

This is the night before the close of the fund-raising campaign where we are have been working hard to raise donations for research to find cure of blood cancer. It seems fitting to wrap this blog up tonight with Tressa. Her wonderful family allowed me the gift of having her as my honoree and I will never forget how even though I never had the pleasure of meeting her she has touched my life in so many ways.

As I have read her journal so many times before it somehow seems fitting to share the last couple of days when Tressa was now home saying goodbye to family and friends. The Leukemia over took her and there was not anything more anyone could do because there just wasn't a cure. She would be taken from her family and loved ones permanently to a place where she would no longer feel pain and finally become free of blood cancer.

It was December nearing the holidays and since they arrived home with Tressa their house had been filled with family, and Tressa’s precious friends. One evening their front yard was filled with carolers from their church. Their stomachs were filled with the wonderful food that was sent from their church family. And their hearts were filled with the love and comfort.

The next day Tressa’s smile was more radiant than it has been in a long time, Tressa seemed to look around the room eyeing all of her close friends and family, and beaming from ear to ear. Tressa had a calmness and comfort demeanor that her family was so thankful for.

In the days that followed Tressa continued fighting a cough, fever and vomiting. But her family and friends continued to pile in first in the morning until the late evening hours to spend their last hours with Tressa.

Then the following day Tressa had passed away. It was four days before Christmas. The parents are not sure why they were all chosen for this journey but their faith has them believe one day it will be made clear.

Tressa was so very brave and even at the end of her life showed no fear and I am told all who knew Tressa believe in the following "Earth will be at a loss and Heaven will never be the same”. Lookout Heaven...

The fund-raising continues on and with your help you can help fund research and find a cure please spread the word and make a donation. www.lls.org

Day 96 of...98 Days...Is it for you or for me?

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:12:00 +0000

You may have noticed I have been blogging for 96 days straight. That is really nothing in blogging years I am sure there are those that blog more than once a day have been doing it for years now. For me this was about a journey. I committed to blogging about this fund-raiser that I am quite passionate about and thought not only could I share the ups and downs of this road but also selfishly hoped I could empower others to want to join me so we could fund research and find a cure for blood cancer.

What I learned from this experience is that there were days when I wrote about the importance of funding research and a cure that brought me to tears realizing that if I can't motivate others to understand the gravity more loved ones will be lost to this devastating disease. Other times I found myself angry and frustrated that I wasn't a good enough writer to empower more people to want to join me in this fight.

So I was asked by others was this blogging for you or for me. I would say both. When you can put in writing how you feel it is a sense of relief and purpose for these past 96 days I was determined no matter how I was feeling to post a message. And now we wind down to the last two days of this journey. For those that followed I could never thank you enough I hope I lived up to the expectations and for those who stopped by I hope you took something away from the messages and you will consider donating to this very worthy cause of saving a life. Because every night when I opened this blog and see Tressa's beautiful face it reinforces the importance of what we are doing so it never happens again and another precious daughter or loved one is taken away.

Day 95 of...98 Days...Where does it go?

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:58:00 +0000

This is a very good question regarding why even consider supporting this campaign and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It can best be described by a personal story that I read in an e-newsletter I received today.

David Burns even before his initial diagnosis with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at age 35, he dedicated his life to teaching martial arts and the value of physical and mental fitness. He went through two rounds of bone marrow transplants which seemed to take effect and put the cancer in remission. At that point David went back to work and became an active community volunteer. His love and service for others has always shown through and for years, as a cancer survivor, he spent time motivating others who were going through treatment. He also wanted to give back by raising money for funding research and ultimately a cure so others would not have to face what he had gone through.

Little did he realize he was not only raising money for research and a cure for others but for himself as well because tragically, after 14 years David's cancer came back. Recent chemotherapy has put him back in remission, but the thoughts of a third bone marrow transplant in his future, are now part of his daily life. Still, he retains his optimism, living each day to the fullest and doing the things that make him happy which, of course, involves people. He expresses gratitude for the support of many people in his community, who are rallying 'round in this new phase of his cancer treatment; and to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as well. "Over the years," David says, "I think I've read every piece of literature LLS publishes on AML. The more information the better when it comes to battling cancer. And last year, we received a check from LLS to help pay for treatment-related expenses. Since I am not currently working, those dollars were very helpful."

I could share literally thousands of the same type stories. Blood cancer comes out of nowhere can attack what seems to be the healthiest of individuals. They go through the painstaking process of battling back and in this case twice and then they believe they beat it because it goes into remission. But then it comes back with vengeance. So to answer your question where does your donation go it goes to not only funding research to find a cure and sometimes the where does it go it also goes towards helping those fighting fund treatment when they can no longer afford it. Please Donate Now!

Day 94 of...98 Days...It's FREE

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:17:00 +0000

What a great word FREE it always gets everyone's attention. If it's free people want it. It doesn't matter if they can use it or not there is something about getting something that's free. It's the thought well maybe someday I can use it. Then you think of some things people will pay for that's not FREE. It stems from everything to the ridiculous just because to the over the top extravagant because they can. But FREE attracts everyone from all socioeconomic backgrounds transcends against race or religion.

The word free has many meanings to it as well. There is the idea of being free and all that it brings including the land of the free. Then there are those people that aren't free. You think well maybe it's because there incarcerated and deserve to lose their freedom. What about the 900,000 individuals who aren't free? They are not free and are locked up within their very own private hell because they are sick. They are so sick with blood cancer one that has overtaken their body that they either find themselves in intensive care, chemotherapy or other therapies. It was like the cancer has stripped away their freedom from living a normal life and every 10 minutes it's like one has been executed and taken away from their families.

It may not be free to donate to a cause like this but when you do it means funding research for a cure and giving back a life and you can't put a price on that can you? And if it's free your after then look at it this way with your gift you are helping others to become cancer FREE! Donate Now

Day 93 of...98 Days...The Erupting Volcano

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:18:00 +0000

The Volcano in Iceland has certainly created massive disruptions to innocent people who were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's Mother Nature taking hold and no one has any control over it. Pilots are testing going up in the ash clouds to see if it's safe. They are all looking for that safe fly zone. Everyone thought the Volcano had calmed down and then today it erupted with force again sending another Volcanic Plume in the air. No one really has the answer on how to fix the situation other than to wait it out or try alternative routes to gain back some normalcy in their lives.

Does this sound a little familiar? Let me describe it in this way here is an innocent body many times a mere child being taken over by massive eruptions of a different type of volcano one that spreads blood cancer. No one can control it because simply there is no cure. Doctor's are testing new therapies to get the loved one affected to a safe zone. And just when it appears things are calming down and everyone is breathing a sigh of relief because the loved one has beaten it and because it has gone into remission. Then all of a sudden wham the blood cancer erupts again takes hold of your child, family member and loved one with such vengeance. It leaves everyone stunned wondering how it happened. So again the family resorts to the existing alternative therapies since there is no cure and they are just searching for a way to gain some normalcy for the family and loved one still fighting for their life.

In this case we do have an option together we can stop this internal volcano eruption spreading blood cancer by funding research and finding a cure. It's not too late and no donation is too small $5, $10 it all adds up and can make a difference. Donate Now and let's give back the lives to those who are battling.

Day 92 of...98 Days...The Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:24:00 +0000

Through this journey of 98 Days there have been times I shared with you Tressa's story of her brave fight before she lost her life. I go to visit her journal that her family kept during her battle it has always kept me grounded on the importance of funding research and finding a cure for blood cancer. And my hope is it gave you a glimpse of a child fighting for her life and the parents doing all that they could to save her.

I was in the middle reading the last days of her life when she had a massive fever and coughing up blood. She had just gone through another round of chemo and there was a source of an infection in her abdomen they could not repair. She was very scared and confused and her parents watching over for she had been in ICU for 53 consecutive days and this new wave of Leukemia was too much. It was at that time Tressa's parents decided it was time to bring Tressa home.

As I was reading her journal and Tressa's last days at that very moment we received a new dedication on the Light The App free iPhone application. It was someone reaching out to their loved one asking them to keep fighting. It felt a little surreal reading about Tressa and at the same time one who is in the midst of fighting for their life against blood cancer. Together let's save a life and change what could be the ending for so many... Donate Now.

Day 91 of 98 Days - "Man In The Mirror"

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:15:00 +0000

I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)

Please click here to "make a change".

Lyrics and Song...by Michael Jackson

Day 90 of...98 Days ...Trees in the Forest

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:24:00 +0000

It has been asked if a Tree falls in the Forest does anyone hear it? If you were there you would. Now imagine yourself in a forest with 900,000 trees of all sizes and years starting from the unsteady fragile seedlings up to full grown trees. As you walk through this very dense forest you noticed that in fact upon closer look the tress looked sickly, the leaves are turning brown and there are unusual growths. As you continued on walking in disbelief of what should be this beautiful sight all of a sudden within the first 10 minutes you heard one fall, then another and every 10 minutes trees were falling all around you. It would take you back it would be a frightening sight you would see the whole forest dying and you didn't know how to stop it and you then realized if you didn't this entire forest of 900,000 would be gone.

Now substitute that forest with all those who suffer from blood cancers from the youngest precious of children to teens and older adults. And as you were walking through this forest of 900,000 patients passing all of those that had this devastating disease. Seeing some of them with tubes keeping them alive, balding, suffering in pain and every 10 minutes one fell and died and again every 10 minutes another and another.

You know it's easy to say I am not seeing the tress in the forest if you don't know someone who has been affected by blood cancer. But they are all around us and it's the family that sees them and every day dies a little inside watching their loved one battle this disease. If you ever saw that forest of patients you would understand the importance of stopping Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma. If a tree dies you plant another no one mourns that loss when a life is taken it changes the surviving family members forever. Together let's fund research and find a cure.... Let's save them...Donate Now.

Day 89 of 98 Days - Regarding Haiti, Katrina, Indonesia, 911 Attacks

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:55:00 +0000

The Haiti earthquake of 2010 was a disaster for the scores of displaced and injured, undeniably a tragedy for the 200,000 killed.

The response was widespread, immediate, and celebrity endorsed. Giving was made so easy. Notables like Michelle Obama were on TV almost immediately broadcasting a Red Cross text number that we could without a second thought access and give an easy donation of $10.00.

And contributions poured in for relief efforts. Fifteen days after the massive earthquake struck, donors contributed more than $528-million to 40 U.S. nonprofit groups.

The pace of giving for Haiti is outpaced even the amount donated in the same period after the September 11 attacks in 2001 but was slightly slower than the outpouring of gifts after the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In the eight days after the flooding started in New Orleans, Americans gave at least $580-million for relief efforts and in the 10 days after September 11, Americans donated $239-million.

American's are a generous people. We have always stepped up to a cause and given what we can where need exist. Haiti, Katrina, Indonesia, and the 911 attacks are perfect examples. In total 244,809 men, women, and children died in total in those tragedies.

Did you know that leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, repeatedly claims the lives of 244,809 men, women, and children every 3.6 months?

Like me you probably felt the responsibility and without a second thought texted the advertised number and gave $10.00 to the Red Cross to help save Haiti. Did you know that it's equally easy and quick to click here and give $10.00 to help fund research to help save the men, women, and children in America who are afflicted with blood cancers like leukemia and might die this year if we don't find a cure?

Thank you for understanding the need and thank you for giving whatever you can.

Day 88 of...98 Days...Around the World in 88 Days

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:40:00 +0000

Actually the movie was "Around the World in 80 Days". However you look at it what fun that in mere seconds we can reach across continents and communicate with complete strangers but feel connected by a common goal, purpose or even philosophy. I can't even imagine life without the Internet and without feeling connected.

I have been fortunate through my blogging I have been able to reach out to others who have the same passion as me about saving lives of those with blood cancer and about fund-raising so we fund research and find a cure. I know that many have come together to want to honor the life of our special honoree Tressa and all others who have lost their life to this devastating disease. And they like me do not want Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma to take yet another precious life of a child or any loved one so they gave donations or wished me luck in finding those who would.

Where would we be without our Smartphones? It has become our lifelines, allowing us to connect with others around the world. There have been more than a thousand downloads from all over the world who have come together in a community on Light The App the free iPhone application where they lit a virtual candle and shared a dedication a prayer or inspiration to a loved one battling or lost from blood cancer.

Our networks Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn who knew we could form relationships and share with others what we were doing and have others spread the word to their networks. In some way it has been around the world in 88 days at least of blogging and in other instances only mere seconds. In any case it's been a connection to an important and common goal the need to cure blood cancer a disease taking a life every 10 minutes. Maybe you can help connect me with others who have the same goal I would love to meet them anywhere in the world?

Day 87 of...98 Days...Glee

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:15:00 +0000

I have to admit I am completely hooked on the show Glee. It is fun to watch to remember what High School was like and Choir. Oh that was so much fun. There was always that one that stood out in choir that was so talented. Now I don't know as talented as what we see in Glee but we had our own characters.

It's High School after all when kids are just finding their way in the world and coming of age and starting to make the right decisions. It in some ways sets the stage for their life on making decisions. Sometimes however life takes an unexpected turn. A decision you didn't even make but was made for you. The body accepted the decision to allow cancer cells enter the body and start to takeover. So then the decision comes back around to the child as to whether to fight for their life or throw their hands up and give in to the pain. Thank goodness for families and friends because these become the bravest children you will ever meet. What they have to endure is beyond words and I wish I could say they all become survivors. But Tressa is an example of the fact that is just not so. When there is no cure there are no guarantees of survival. That can change with your help because by funding research for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society a cure can be found.

Let's together put the Glee back into our children wrought with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma and Donate so we can find a cure and not lose another precious life...

Day 86 of ...98 Days...U-OH My AARP Card Arrived

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:23:00 +0000

Yes I received my AARP envelope in the mail. I am getting ready to turn the big 50 and receiving that in the mail just seals the deal. I have so many emotions that surround that number. It makes you look back at your life and realize as in the Song by Five for Fighting "100 Years"

The sea is high, and I'm heading through Across the years Chasing the years, of my life

As one might think I have become very reflective. I want to know I am spending the last half of my life making sure I continue doing things for others. So why have I spent the last 86 days blogging because I want to make a difference in the lives of those that have been affected by blood cancer. I know that if a cure is not found the 900,000 affected in every 10 seconds one of those precious lives will be lost. The fund-raising efforts are only one piece and Light The App the free iPhone app we developed where loved ones can light a virtual candle as they make dedications to loved ones we are hopeful will be a gift that keeps on giving. And with your help we can find that cure way before the next 50 years come around so those children who are now battling blood cancer today can have their own u-oh moment when they receive their AARP card.

Let's get these children to 50 and beyond... Please Donate Now...

Day 85 of 98 Days - "A Little Help Here"

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:20:00 +0000

We received another heartfelt dedication in the 'Light The App' iPhone application today. The words of encouragement appear to be from a mother or father to his/her son or daughter.

"You can do this!!!!! We know it's not an easy thing to beat (trust me) but if you stand strong, you'll get through it. I'm so proud of you. You've beat it before; don't give up now!!!"

The inference is that the child has battled cancer in the recent past and 'won'. The champion is herein besieging him/her to muster all available strength and courage to wage war on the blood cancer which has returned and it so often does and beat it ... again.

"Don't give up now!!!" the parent exclaims.

All of these kids we heard about are so brave - daily fighting this demon that has invaded. And they believe their parents and adults when they say "fight on, you can win". As long as family continues to encourage they will fight and with every fiber of their beings. But alas, eventually the battle so taxing and their now frail bodies so weakened and even though they long to fight, both for themselves and for their moms and dads who besiege them to fight on, they can't, and tragically all too often - their battle is lost.

Today, right now, please help these brave children in their war on cancer. If we work together, a few dollars from all of us can fund the research, find a cure, and win the war against blood cancers.

Will you donate today? Remember no donation is too small and every single dollar is a dollar closer to the cure. Donate Now

Day 84 of...98 Days...The Return

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:24:00 +0000

The return is such a cruel reality for so many who face Leukemia or any type of blood cancer. You can be in remission and then without warning it is back with vengeance. It's a painstaking announcement that the doctor has to share with the parents of the child whose Leukemia has returned. Then it becomes total heartbreak of absorbing as a parent how that could happen and then how do you tell your child so they keep fighting for their life. Let me share a story to give you some idea and at the same time hopefully open your eyes as to why the need for continued research for new therapies.

When Tressa was told yet once again the Leukemia had returned her parents immediately impressed upon her they needed to get an earlier start fighting the leukemia to avoid the similar problems encountered with the last treatment. It was stressed to Tressa that they were using an experimental drug that should be a lot “gentler”, with less “harsh” side effects. No mouth sores, no peeling of the skin, no loss of hair, are just a few of the eliminated side effects. Regardless, the treatment will kill the white blood cells (good and bad), and Tressa’s ability to fight infections. Once all are killed, the hope would be for the return of only healthy white blood cells.

The idea of treatment should be a welcome relief but the fear the child faces of here we go again and the pain and discomfort needs to be put to an end. It's bad enough to be told the Leukemia has returned after they fought so brave and so hard for a second or third time and then to see them battle through the painful treatments is so unfair. This is just yet another reason to join the fight so we could fund research for new therapies but ultimately a cure so we end the return of Leukemia or any blood cancer.

Day 83 of...98 Days...Elementary My Dear Watson

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:20:00 +0000

A Sherlock Holmes mystery the twists and turns of the story takes you down many different paths. Your mind convinces you of the answer to the mystery but reality tells you it's ultimately different. To Sherlock its elementary my dear Watson to him the answer is clear because he can tie together all of the clues, seeing patterns and piece together the tiniest of details to uncover what is real and what is an illusion.

Science and the human body is very much that way so much is still a mystery. If it weren't we would have a cure for blood cancer. But it takes years of in-depth research uncovering clues, seeing patterns and piecing together the tiniest of details. It's cross checking and clinical trials for therapies and when you think it takes you down one path it takes you another. Scientists need to get rid of any illusion and see what's real because they are dealing with life and death. The progress has been incredible the therapies are real because of these brilliant scientists we are talking about survivors. But then there are the Tressa's and today others who didn't and aren't responding to what is the reality of known therapies and new ones need to surface. But they can't do that without the funding.

It's elementary my dear Watson for great progress to be made with funding research to find a cure donations are needed and no contribution is too small. And when we are many the dollars can add up quickly and an important life or death real mystery solved...a cure for blood cancer...

Day 82 of...98 days...The Voicemail

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:06:00 +0000

A call came into my voicemail at work while I was at a meeting. It wasn't a business call it was from someone offering additional words of encouragement and thanking me for what I have done and am still doing. This fund-raiser as you can see is counting down quickly. It really choked me up because I feel in the time we had we barely scratched the surface of what we were hoping to do.

The voicemail is from a father with a daughter as he put who is Leukemic but for now remains in remission and doing well. He was emphasizing the importance of what I am doing because of the efforts of fund-raising his daughter has a chance for a full cancer free life.

Timing is everything and I find it interesting this voicemail came today because my energy level is being sucked out of me by lack of response to my letters and e-mails. I even had a company ask that they be taken off my list they will not be donating and another telling me the subject is not timely enough. So even though the air sucked out of me today a little was restored with this voicemail asking me to please keep going and thank you.

So actually my thanks are to the man behind the voicemail I needed that push and you gave it to me. So yes I will be back tomorrow and the day after that asking for support and for everyone to spread the word. Because I just can't let these families down they need these dollars to fund research and find a cure because without it plain and simple of the 900,000 diagnosed with blood cancer we will just keep losing one every 10 minutes and I need to know we did everything we could to prevent that...won't you help? Please Donate Now

Day 81 of...98 Days...Happily Ever After

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:22:00 +0000

Today I would like to talk about the Happily Ever After that has been occurring because of the advanced research taking place due to donations that have been received. The Happily Ever After here is being translated to mean a survivor of blood cancer who is in remission. One such survivor today reached out to me with a donation. She is a very good friend of Steve and has been in remission for years. I was struck by the fact that she has sacrificed so much but yet as you can imagine still wants to contribute further to therapies and research so ultimately a cure can be found.

I have pictured here a couple of other survivors. I'm thrilled to share they are both in remission all because of the continued funding we provide to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society so that they can locate the top researchers who develop advanced therapies and working toward the cure. They are William who is 10 and Lauryn who is 7. They have both been very involved in this campaign in fact they are the Boy and Girl of The Year. Their parents understandably are heavily involved spearheading fund-raising efforts all of the time because they know if we can fund research and find a cure their precious children can continue to live happily ever after cancer free.

You and I we can make that happen it's not only with a prayer but it's with dollars for research and no donation is too small it all adds up. Let's write the happy ending to this story together.

Day 80 of...98 Days...Do Over

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:24:00 +0000

Have you ever said to yourself if I could have just one do over what would that be? I don't know of a person famous or not that wouldn't like to go back in time and get at least one do over. Well for me there would be many things I have to admit I would do like to do over as I reflect on my 80 days when it comes specifically to this campaign.

Things that I would not change:

Being involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society they so need voices that reach out to the masses to raise awareness and tell the stories of the 900,000 faced with Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma

Receiving the gift of Tressa as our honoree has given me an even deeper sense of what a child and family lives through when diagnosed with Leukemia. Reading her journal I feel very connected to her even though I never had the pleasure of meeting her. It's her hard fought battle keeps me coming back everyday asking you and others to help support this fight so we do not lose another precious life

Developing Light The App iPhone app every time we get a heartfelt dedication I feel like we did something really important by providing a place where people can light their virtual candles and say a prayer, dedication or inspiration. It's a virtual place where they can bear their sole on how they feel at that moment about watching a loved one battle cancer or ones that have lost their life.

My One Do Over for this Campaign:
Figuring out how to more effectively reach people and create that tipping point of spreading the word that small donations can quickly add up when many come together. If we could raise the sheer number of those contributions we can make a difference and fund research and find a cure. Any thoughts?

Day 79 of...98 Days...Miss You

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:15:00 +0000

Everyone can relate to the words "Miss You". I know for me it's when I haven't seen my daughter as she lives in Chicago. It's not seeing my family who is spread all over the country that I only get to see a hand full of times a year. It's when I travel and don't see my husband until the next day. What do those words mean to you?

You can miss someone and yes at times you miss them so much it hurts but you know it won't be long into the future when you will get to see them again so you hang on to the thought and the pain goes away because you know they are fine and loving life.

But here the words Miss You from those who lit candles in Light The App when their hearts are aching because they will never see their loved one again because there was no cure for blood cancer.

"Missing my best Friend we love and miss you"

"Wishing you were here we could have supported one another through treatments"

"You have no idea how much I miss you"

"I miss you hope you are having fun in heaven"

"I cry I miss her a lot"

Take the most precious life you can imagine for many that's a child a husband, a parent, a best friend and all of a sudden you can no longer see, touch, hold them but in a still photos or a video. That brief pain or chill you feel is a forever one for those who lost their loved ones to blood cancer.

Help me put a stop to this no donation is to small every dollar can make a difference so we can fund research and find a cure so in the next 10 minutes someone else won't have to say those chilling words Miss You when it means forever. http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 78 of...98 Days...Easter Eggs with a different Twist

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:30:00 +0000

Whenever I think of this day and the Easter Egg hunt it takes me back to when we had Easter morning with our little girl now 24. When she was three we would do Easter Egg hunts that would last for hours oh we had so much fun. As she would find them we would be sneaky take one out of the basket and keep hiding them. What fond memories. But that was only good for a year or two. Then when she started to read we added the twist of the scavenger hunt with clues to her Easter basket stuffed with goodies and I must say that we were successful keeping up that tradition until she went off to college.

Being in technology there are also Easter Eggs but they come with a twist. It's when you find something hidden in a program that can bring rewards to the user. We have enjoyed adding Easter Eggs for our users and especially with our educational web-based Drive Of Your Life program that Middle School and High School Students use.

The thought of the Easter Egg overall is so clever. I was reminded this morning on the Sunday Morning Show as they described it when you are leaving and Easter Egg it becomes a lasting imprint. What does this have to do with this fund-raising campaign well donations are like Easter Eggs with a different twist. They are unique imprints that last forever. They can bring exhilarating joy to families and children otherwise facing a blood cancer. You see it's with those contributions or as we will refer to them as Easter Eggs today that funds research for a cure one that can save the life of a child. Now that's what you call an everlasting imprint.

How about considering adding your Easter Egg today and as it is picked up and used toward research you know you are making a significant difference. With research comes a cure and parents will for years to come be planning their Easter Egg hunts for their child instead of what could be today a frightening dose of reality watching their child battle Leukemia or any other blood cancer. http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 77 of...98 Days...The Decision

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:03:00 +0000

These past couple of months I have tried my best to give you a sense of the meaning and importance of this type of fund-raising campaign and the reason I come back every night to ask for help finding a cure. Sometimes I think the best way to do that is to give you a glimpse into Tressa's fight and battle. Not only is it a battle for the child but the parents as well when very tough decisions have to be made. Here is one such example when again the Leukemia came back with vengeance.

It was in November and Tressa's parents made a very difficult decision to place her back on the ventilator. It allowed her to sleep soundly and peacefully, giving her parents comfort to see her that way and they felt that they made the right decision. But then a more difficult decision came to the surface quickly the doctors will be scheduling a tracheotomy for either tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. They knew she would not completely comprehend when they told her of the surgery to come, due to all the pain-killers currently in her system. They were not sure she was going to fully understand when she would awake with a tube sticking out of her throat. The hope was that someday, she would realize that there were so many different reasons that led them to that decision, but it all boiled down to one thing that they loved her with all of their hearts and only wanted what was best for her.

It's these types of decisions parents shouldn't have to make for their child and you can help me put an end to this with a donation and spreading the word. No donation is too small and it can make the difference between life and death so in the next 10 minutes we don't lose another loved one to blood cancer. Please make the decision to be involved donate today... http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Days 75 & 76 of...98 Days...Two Extra Strength Tablets

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:38:00 +0000

Well I missed my very first Blog Post yesterday I was disappointed in myself but I was unfortunately incapacitated by some kind of poison in my system.

Quick back story I was in Chicago visiting my daughter and soon to be son-in-law and so excited about going on the hunt for the perfect pair of bridal shoes for her first actual wedding dress fitting the next day. My daughter and I went out to eat the night before giggling and laughing catching up as we went to a couple of stores with no luck. But hey we had the next day and a plan after her Law School class we would rendezvous to find those perfect shoes.

So our day started and unfortunately I was feeling off I kept telling her it feels like I was slipped a Mickey. I was feeling dizzy and at times ready to pass out but I did not want to ruin this day we had a mission. As we were racing from one store to the next shopping for those shoes before our 6:30pm appointment dress fitting I got worse and very sick food poisoning ahhhhhh no! Not only do we think I had food poisoning and all that comes and goes with it but a massive migraine on top of it. But I was determined we would find the perfect shoes before I dropped which happily we did but sadly I was too ill for us to make it to the fitting. But the good news is that has been rescheduled.

As I laid their head pounding every noise amplified and sick to my stomach where I couldn't eat or drink I kept thinking is this what these children with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma feel like? Is this even part of the pain they experience when there is poison in their body as the blood cancer take over. The big difference is I knew as painful it seemed for me at the time we could get to the pharmacy walk in and get two extra strength migraine tablets and flush out the food poisoning with a ton of water.

And then we started thinking why couldn't it be that way for those with blood cancer why is there no easy fix? For me I knew I would be better in the morning which I am. But how about for those 900,000 battling there is no end in sight because there is no cure. But with your help we can change that with funding research and find that cure.

Just imagine let's fast forward to the future when another child or loved one is diagnosed with blood cancer and you can just run to the pharmacy and pick up two extra strength tablets or a shot or something as easy. And it would be all because of people like you who donated to this cause so in the next 10 minutes we won't lose another to this killer disease. Let's make that a reality together... http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 74 of...98 Days...Did you ever have...

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:35:00 +0000

Did you ever have in general just a bad day? A bad day where everything you touch seems to go wrong. Projects that are supposed to take no time to complete are problematic; tasks that are supposed to go smoothly are anything but. And everyone you talk to is in a kind of funk and the whole thing is overwhelming and you just want to throw up your hands and say enough is enough - I am outta here!!!

Then the work day mercifully winds down, people go home and the whole ordeal ends. Tomorrow will be a fresh start - a new day.

Not for those afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma and certainly not for those who dearly love them and are tasked with witnessing the pain and suffering that blood cancers inflect upon their precious sons and daughters. They will tell us that each bad day is followed by another one and another one and so on and on.

There is a cure. We just need to find it. Won't you help fund the research today to find it and stop the suffering of so many?

Please spread the word of this campaign and our plea for any contributions that can be comfortably given. Whether it is a single dollar or a thousand - every contribution gets us closer to a cure. http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 73 of 98 Days...First Day of Passover

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Krengel) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:25:00 +0000

Today is the first day of Passover (Pesach).

All of us that are familiar with biblical teachings (or have seen the "Ten Commandments") know that in the book of Exodus, the children of Israel gathered in family homes and spread lamb's blood on doorways as a sign to the spirit of the Lord to bypass them as that spirit brought death upon the first born of Egypt for the sins of the Pharaoh and his ministers. Following days witnessed the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt and their freedom from bondage.

Wouldn't it be something if today we could similarly mark our homes with a symbol of healthy blood to ward off the misery and death of blood cancers; leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma? And wouldn't it be a welcome relief to gather as a community and simply walk away from the miseries of pain, discomfort, and disease?

Unfortunately that cannot be counted on to happen. But we do have an alternative path to defeat these fearsome foes. As did the victim's supporters of polio some fifty years ago, we can raise money for research and a cure from everyone whether it be a hundred dollars, a single dollar or in the case of the March of Dimes - dimes and lots of them. Because even the smallest contribution when multiplied by many thousands adds up to a tremendous sum and an invaluable gift to the researchers who are daily toiling to find the breakthrough that will end killer diseases like leukemia.

So today on this first day of Passover, when so many were spared death, won't you pass the word of this life-saving campaign to your friends and family? The gift you can give today is spreading the word of the mission from which will come the dollars for the cure.

May you have a healthy and peaceful Passover.