A Life of Science
I though I'd post the link to the the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's newletter, A Life of Science. This newletter reports on research breakthroughs and community events that involve the Cancer Consortium. It also gives a little insight as to how your donation could fund research that has the potential to benefit the masses.

Enjoy: http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/enews/fhcrc-enews/2009-06/index.html

by Aimee Erickson on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 @ 3:49 PM

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What a Life!
Yesterday, I attended my 95 year old grandmother's funeral, Dorothy Marie Erickson. It's interesting to see how families are rooted, and who becomes what branch of the tree. With seven children, ten grandchildren, and a great grandchild as a result of one marriage, it is an understatement to say she was a productive woman.

As coincidence would have it on the flight to SLC, I read a magazine article about Ethical Wills- leaving your values not just your valuables. A woman, Meg Brady, at the Huntsman's Cancer Center in SLC, UT, where my Uncle Phil is currently being treated for colon cancer, started this project in 2003. Meg meets with patients and family members alike to record their memories and then, if they like, delves into the 'heavy stuff.' She asks them about their regrets, their fears, and their proudest moments and those things in life that are emotionally exhausting to decompress.

Anyway, it was evident to me that Grandma Dode didn't need Meg Brady, she had already left her Ethical Will. The Ericksons plus were all there to celebrate her life. Even her half-century bestfriend's son, Paul from AK with stage IV melanoma, came to pay his respect. When he said, "It was too important to miss," it gave an entirely new meaning to the statement. Of note, Grandma died of old age (age related causes). This is the first old age related caused funeral that I have ever been to!

While I am not entirely sure I will aspire to live to the age of 95, I hope that all for as long as I am around to not only realize the impact that people can have on another's life, but try to act on such realizations small to big. Like toothpaste, a little love goes a long way! Grandma Dode knew this, because for 95 years she never once had a cavity.

by Aimee Erickson on Sun, Jun 14, 2009 @ 2:59 PM

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The Numbers- Revised!
I am always fascinated by those calculations of how many hours you spend sitting in your car throughout your life, sleeping, reading, eating, and all sorts of basic bodily functions. So, I'm breaking this fundraiser down numbers wise. I have 43 days until I climb, and 43 days in which I have to raise a minimum of $1,180 of the original $3,000 goal!

40 days = and average fundraising goal of $29.50 per day.

($1,180.00/donations)= the number of people I need SUPPORT from!

The numbers* look something like this:

236 people donating $5
118 people donating $10
30 people donating $40
24 people donating $50
12 people donating $100
8 people donating $150
6 people donating $200
5 people donating $250
3 people donating $500
2 people donating $590
1 person donating $1,180

*Numbers are rounded up so that no one has to remove or add any limbs to fit into a bracket.

I am amazed at the support I have received so far, and am looking forward to meeting the minimum goal and hopefully beyond!

The 2009 Climb funds will go to breast cancer pilot studies with the highest funding need.

by Aimee Erickson on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 @ 11:55 PM

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Saturday Morning Ride
This morning, I rolled out of bed to go on a bike ride with my friend Lesley and her friend Ali. I thought we were doing the Mercer Island loop, period. That loop is about 40 miles (+/- 2 hours) round trip from my doorstep and back. Little did I know that when leaving my doorstep at 8am that I wouldn't see my doorstep again until 1:30pm. Five hours of riding bliss on the Lake Washington/Mercer Island Loop, key word Lake Washington, NOT Lake Washington Blvd. which you take on the way to the Mercer Island loop.

Unfortunately, my mileage miscalculation also led to a nutrition miscalculation, and I bonked going up a wee hill on Mercer Island. Grr. After inhaling a pack of Clif shots, 30 minutes later I felt my legs report that they would at least try to get me home.

Regardless it was a great ride with good people. It always amazes me what your body can pull out of a hat when it really needs to!

by Aimee Erickson on Sun, May 31, 2009 @ 12:53 AM

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Holy Cancer Fundraisers Batman!
Yesterday, I went to a tea party cancer fundraiser at Salty's (a restaurant in Seattle) for the American Cancer Society (ACS). While munching on my miniature food items, and planning what I was going to make to eat as soon as I got home, the speaker for the event announced author Deborah Jarvis.

I knew that name because about a year ago, when I was working in the breast imaging department at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), this bubbly lady came running through the office asking where Kory sat. I happened to be one of the few people there at the time, and I pointed her in the right direction. She had this book tucked under her arm, she had brought a copy for Kory. Kory happened to be a Research Coordinator for the Oncology group and Deborah happened to be the SCCA Chaplain who found herself with breast cancer. What came of Deborah's cancer was remission and a book called It's Not About the Hair.

In the first 2 minutes of Deborah introducing herself at the fundraiser she had us in stiches. The lady has 20 years of walking people through their battles with cancer et cetera and her humor reels in the optimism that is so easy to loose in trying situations.

So, if you find you need a book with a lot of insight and humor in a cancerous situation, It's Not About the Hair is a good one. This book is written by a chaplain so expect a fairly high ratio of Almighty. However, of note, she refers to her Almighty as Mr. Martha Miyagi. http://www.debrajarvis.com/index.htm

by Aimee Erickson on Sun, May 10, 2009 @ 8:06 PM

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Fundraising & Aimee Logic
So, it's been awhile since I had my fundraising hat on. Unfortunately, it's not like riding a bike. The ol'standby of door-to-door for this fundraiser might freak people when they find moi at their doorstep wearing a "Save the Boobies" t-shirt asking them to cut a check.

So, as an alternate I've decided to make cupcakes- and yes I did go there. If you live in the Seattle area you can purchase 1 breast cupcake for a min $3 or a set for a min of $5. Keep in mind I have to meet the min $3,000.00 amt by July 24!

In addition, I will be making attired cupcakes for my more modest supporters. I won't be offended if you'd like to pass on the cupcakes altogether.

by Aimee Erickson on Mon, May 04, 2009 @ 1:33 AM

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How I am preparing for this....
So, to prepare for this adventure I am subjecting myself to one of those mainstream fitness bootcamps. Actually there is nothing mainstream about the instructor Madeline, she is definitely a good sort of unique. These games happen 2-3 times per week in Volunteer park where the cultured Asian History Museum goers gawk at an odd assortment of folks attempting to sprint up up a 10yd hill after doing 200yds of lunges and various plyometrics- it's comical.

Thanks to my first contributor, Photographer Charles Asper. Check out Chuck's work at http://www.charlesasper.com.

by Aimee Erickson on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 @ 10:56 PM

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