Michele

Halloween was a blast! Party Party!Hey everyone! I know I have not been around too much lately, well here is why... I have been training to do a 100mi bike ride with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Team in Training to raise money for research. Four years ago my 24yr old brother was diagnosed with colon cancer and my aunt with breast cancer. Then a good friend of mine was diagnosed with Lymphoma on Sept 11 (yeah, it was a real bad day!). So many of us are touched personally by cancer that I felt a need to do something. That is when I did my first program with Team in Training and rode 100 miles around Lake Tahoe. Team in Training is a group of coaches and mentors that work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to assist in the training and fundraising with athletes. That year TNT raised over five million dollars!! I have to say that it was one of the most fulfilling events that I have ever been involved with. Lake Tahoe Ride - That brings me to the here and now. Again someone too close has been diagnosed. The doctor I work for was diagnosed with stage five stomach cancer at age 54. She was given two years to live. She has shown so much courage and is in no way accepting the "sentence" she was handed by her doctor. She is fighting all the way, and doing extremely well might I add (much to the surprise of her doctor)! She is determined to be the better part of the statistic, and I believe her! I watch her, and the others I have known who have struggled with these unseen illnesses, and realize just how blessed I am to have my health. Just the other day a patient came into my dental office and told me how Leukemia drugs helped her son, who had a non-cancer related ailment, and enabled him to return to a normal life. This research is important and could be used to one day save the life of a loved one, or, perhaps, even your own!Today, August 26th, I rode 35 miles. We began in Carlsbad at the Poinsettia Train Station, and rode down 101 to Torrey Pines hill in La Jolla and back again. I just woke from the six hour "quick nap" I took when I finally collapsed at home a short time ago! I did really well, but now the pain in setting in. A small price to pay to help save lives! ----Donation info To donate ANY AMOUNT go to my website: http://www.active.com/donate/tntsdh/MicheleBacaIf you are looking for some fun, we are having a charity poker game that looks like a lot of fun! Entrance is just $50.00 or $150.00 for VIP (which includes champagne, food, gift basket, etc) and that full amount gets credited to my account (**IMPORTANT!! Make sure when you get to payment page that you list my name...Michele Baca...under the TNT athlete you are supporting area or I do not get credit). There will be music, dancing (It is at On Broadway!), a bachelor auction, gift give aways and lots of fun! Website is http://bettingonacure.com/ but please do not forget to list my name if you buy tickets and I will see you there!! Corporate Sponsorships are available as well. If you are interested, or feel your company may be, please contact me for more information. Please feel free to pass this email along to anyone you know!! Please keep in mind, I must have all funds raised by October 15th and I have a long way to go, so don't hesitate. Every single dollar counts and brings me one step closer to my personal commitment of $2950! Thanks so much for your support. Much Love and Respect MicheleSweet Dreams Fashion Show and Pajama Party at The BlvdPhoto Shoot with the Legendary Shane O'Neal in Encinitas