ET is there in spirit
Here is a photo of ET riding in last year's challenge with fiance Michael Smith. ET is the last one in this line of riders.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Team Chandler - 2006
Left to right -
- Michael Smith
- Elizabeth Chandler (ET)
- Caitlin Moore
- Jeff Moore
- Tim Smith
- Jennifer (Tim's friend)
Support Team Chandler!
Lately, it feels as though everyone I know has cancer. When I meet someone new, I'm sometimes tempted to say "Hi, I'm Jim. What kind of cancer do you have?" Cancer has touched my life in more ways than I care to count these past two years.
To borrow a theme from the book "The Final Gift", when cancer strikes its like a stone tossed into a still pond - the ripples represent all the lives that are significantly impacted. So when I look around at all the people I know who have cancer, and reflect that I am merely one of the many, many ripples in each pond, it is staggering. If it hasn't already, having cancer touch your life is simply a matter of time.
That's what makes the work of the PMC so important - the search for a cure is the only way out of this. There are two things we can all do to support this search. The first, and in my opinion, most significant way we can support the search for a cure is to support stem cell research. Many people have religious issues with stem cell research, and that's understandable. Fortunately, there is another way to support the search - through financial donations to support traditional cancer research. And for that, there is no better method than the Pan Mass Challenge.
On behalf of Team Chandler through the PMC, please consider making a donation to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Simply click on the link below to pledge support for Tim Smith's "Team Chandler" ride.
Click the link in the sentence above, and follow the instructions. The easiest method is to fill in an amount in the "gift amount" box, and click on the "eGift" link.
Note - Tim's "story" page was created on July 1, before he'd learned the devastating news of ET's recent diagnosis.
Pan Mass Challenge
For those of you who don't know Tim Smith, he is a friend of the family who has arranged "Team Chandler" participation in the Pan Mass Challenge these past two years. For those of you who've never met Tim Smith, let me tell you he is the best of the best.
The Pan Mass Challenge is a 200-mile bicycle ride to raise money for cancer research. More than 4,800 cyclists will participate this year, raising an estimated $27 million dollars. All money benefits cancer reseach at the Dana Farber Institute, where Barbara received her treatment. Cyclists begin their ride in Wellesley Ma., and trek to Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod. When Larry Lucchino mentioned "Team 9" in his letter to ET, he was referring to the team of Red Sox wives, staff and family members that participate in the race.
Last year, ET and Michael Smith participated in the ride, under sponsorship from another family friend. She and Michael are on the left in this photo from last year's ride:
Today, the ride commenced bright and early. Tim Smith called ET's message line to provide the first of his updates from the seat of his bicycle - the pre-dawn kickoff with the National Anthem.
Stay tuned. And Go Team Chandler!
[listen to Tim's update message]
Thursday, August 2, 2007
View from the top of Red Sox Nation...
A few days ago I posted a plea to help contact the Red Sox on behalf of ET. Well, Jeff Moore and Billy Starr took the plea straight to the top. Yesterday, ET received a package from Larry Lucchino, President, CEO and member of the Red Sox Owner's Group. It contained a personal letter from Larry, along with a baseball signed by Jon Lester.
Here is the transcript of the letter:
Dear Elizabeth -
On behalf of all of us here at the Red Sox and on Team 9, we want to thank you for your past participation in the Pan Mass Challenge, and let you know that we're thinking of you here at Fenway. We are proud to have you and your family as ardent supporters of the Red Sox, and we wish you the best in your current hospital stay. As you know, one of our pitchers Jon Lester battled cancer this past year and just recently rejoined our roster. We are proud of his positive attitude and determination during his comeback, and thought a signed ball by Jon might lift your spirits during your treatment. Thank you again for the dedication you have shown as a Red Sox fan and PMC rider. We wish you all the best, and GO SOX!
Sincerely,
Larry Lucchino
Thanks to Jeff and Billy for making this happen - this was a wonderful surprise for Elizabeth, and really made her day.
--jimmy
Pictures from the Past
Hi,
Thank you mom, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Jody for helping the blog challenged. I think I figured it out now.
Looking at all the pictures on the site inspired me to look through all of my photos for some good pictures of Aunt Elizabeth. Here are two good ones I found. It was funny going through some many pictures from the past. In every picture I found of Aunt Elizabeth or Aunt Barbara they were always smiling and enjoying their surroundings. They always knew how to make the most of every situation.
Kristy
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