Dear Family, Friends, and Business Associates,
With the economy in turmoil, I hear more people than ever say, "Well, at least I have my health."
Fifteen years ago, my wife, Cecelia, and I were not so lucky. Our 3-year-old son, Joshua, was diagnosed with a rare rhabdoid tumor of the kidney. We were told that he had five months to live, as none of the previously diagnosed children had survived from this type of cancer. We were devastated, as anyone would be. Many of you know that Josh survived and is thriving as a 17-year-old Roxbury Latin Honors student! We are eternally grateful to the angels at Dana Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.org).
There are tens of thousands of stories each year where a parent, sibling, or child loses that battle with cancer. Our friend, Carol, the wife of one of my partners, was recently struck with ovarian cancer. Our Family has committed to help make sure that more stories end like ours - with a victory over that killer-cancer.
To honor Carol and the amazing caregivers and lifesavers at Dana Farber, Cecelia, Joshua, and I will ride together in the 2009 160-mile Pan Massachusetts Challenge to raise $100,000 towards the Rappaport Family Melanoma Fellowship. The PMC bike ride takes a lot of effort and sweat and seat rash, but that pain is nothing compared to Joshua's year of treatment.
Our Fellows are working on cutting-edge research that is leading to advances in cures for specific cancers. To date, we have fully funded the Joshua Rappaport Pediatric Oncology Fellowship with the help of many of your donations and are working to fund our Melanoma Fellowship to help move research forward on this silent killer.
We would ask you to help us fund this research by contributing to Dana Farber and the Rappaport Melanoma Fellowship fund. We know how tough the economy is right now, but please remember that you have your health and we want to give others that most precious gift.
We are so excited to be riding in the PMC with Joshua. It is truly a miracle that we have this great opportunity. We hope that you will share this miracle with us by contributing to this great cause.
With the terrible economy and the battered investment markets, contributions to fund these brilliant young Fellows are more important than ever. Please give as generously as you can.
Sincerely,
Jim, Cecelia, and Joshua Rappaport
