My 2025 Big Climb to Conquer Cancer!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes, 49 seconds
Please Support My Fundraising Campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)!
I climb to the Gateway Center in Newark yearly to honor my beloved wife, Jan. This year’s Big Climb on April 26 holds a particular weight for me, as it marks what would have been her seventy-fifth birthday. While I know I can’t bring her back, I find solace in this journey and the opportunity to rally support in the fight against cancer. Her battle with blood diseases has deeply impacted me, and I am passionate about promoting the search for cures. I invite you to join me in this heartfelt cause as we unite to transform hope into reality for those affected by these illnesses. Your support is invaluable as we stand united in this vital battle.
Every day, I challenge myself to walk and do extra stair workouts in preparation for the big climb. Whenever I feel like giving up, I draw strength from the memory of my wife’s struggle with pain, which gives me the determination to persevere. With each step, I repeat three words: CLIMB, CONQUER, CURE CANCER! My journey, filled with highs and lows, is a testament to the human spirit, and I hope it inspires you to join me in this cause.
In light of recent reductions in federal funding for cancer research, the need for private donations has become more critical than ever. Despite these challenges, I have set an ambitious goal for my third Big Climb: to raise $3,000! I have already matched the first thousand dollars in donations! As I write this post, although my initial matching donation has been received but not posted, it will indicate we have already raised $1,250, or 42% of the goal, on Monday.
Last year, with your generous support, we successfully raised $1,414, half of which came from my pledge to match every donation dollar for dollar.
Your past donations have made a significant difference, and I am deeply grateful for your continued support.
This year, we aim to surpass that achievement!
What $3,000 Can Do to
Conquer and Cure Cancer!
By raising $3,000 in this year’s Big Climb, we can unlock a world of possibilities that will make a significant impact. Your donation, regardless of size, is crucial to this collective effort. If we achieve the $3,000 goal, the options are:
- Your support will help fund a three-week research fellow at LLS. This fellow will be involved in groundbreaking research that could lead to significant advancements in the fight against blood cancers or
- Your support will also enable LLS researchers to isolate T-cells from the blood of three patients, which will be used in a promising experimental immunotherapy clinical trial or
- Additionally, your support will cover six weeks of essential one-on-one and group support for families affected by LLS.
As I have every year, I will match every donation.
- A $25 donation will raise $50.
- A $36 donation will raise $72.
- A $100 donation will raise $200.
- A $250 donation will raise $500.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
