Help blood cancer research Help blood cancer research (May 28, 2004)

Evening event, marathon to help Leukemia Society

Andrew Moon, 21, knows the importance of the work done by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins when he was 19 and has been through 15 chemotherapy treatments, part of a research project out of Stanford testing out a smaller dose.

"He was one of the participants that this treatment worked well on," said Donnell Green, who is one of four people in Pleasanton working together to raise $10,000 for LLS. "He is now cancer-free, works at Applebee's in San Ramon, and attends junior college."

Moon will be at a fundraising event Friday evening, June 4, being hosted by John Gregory and Jeanna Dodds at Gregory Frame Shoppe in downtown Pleasanton. It will feature wine and hors d'oeuvres, and a drawing of items donated by local businesses. Residents, including Andrew, who have battled blood-related cancers will be special guests.

The $20 per person attendance donation will go to LLS as part of the contribution of Green and Neel Perkins who have joined Team in Training to run the Mayor's Midnight Marathon in Alaska on July 19. It's the world's largest endurance sports training program, and participants raise funds for LLS.

"Donnell and Neel have to raise 'X' amount of dollars to pay for expenses and to give toward research," said Gregory. Hosting the event next week is his way of helping the cause.

"I've been involved in Team in Training before and I'm a runner," he said, "but I don't have to time to leave my shop so I'm doing it vicariously through my friends. They are finding they have to raise a lot of money."

Green said her training is going well: She was stunned that although she could barely run two miles four months ago when she began training, she is now running half marathons.

In 2003, about 35,000 people nationwide participated in Team in Training and raised $81 million, said Gregory. But the event Friday will be a chance to help the cause without doing any training.

Anyone who wants to support LLS - and Donnell and Neel - but cannot attend Friday's event can call 846-1824. -Dolores Fox Ciardelli
Help the cause

What: Fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise money for blood cancer research Where: Gregory Frame Shoppe, 800 Main St. When: 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 4

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