Personal Fundraiser

It's hard to believe it will be 5 years since Mike left us. The outpouring of support for my run in Honor of Mike is humbling.  It is a testament to the impact that one person had on so many people. As I have said many times: His legacy lives on through all he touched and all of the families he had- through each and every one of you.

I think of Mike often and the impact that one individual can have on so many. He had a talent for making everyone feel important. He was a man of many families: His own Family, the Annaly Family, the Oratory Prep Family, the Wake Forest Family, the Summit Family, etc... He cast a wide net, leaving a legacy of generosity, caring and trust.

 By running in the Chicago Marathon on October 8th in honor of Mike, it is my way of saying Thank You. Thank you for your friendship, Thank you for allowing me to work with such a fine group of men and women. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for believing in me even when I had self doubts. Thank you for everything.

So why Fred Hutch?  The Farrell's spoke about The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center at the Bay Head race this year and the amazing research they are conducting and inventive methods they are investigating to abolish cancer. All of us have been touched by cancer in our lives. Nothing would be a more fitting tribute to Mike than helping to eradicate it.

Just a few examples of the work at Fred Hutch:

• Dr. Denise Galloway helped develop the vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus, or HPV, infection, which can cause cervical cancer. 
• Dr. Jim Olson developed “Tumor Paint”, an experimental molecule derived from scorpion venom that illuminates cancer cells so surgeons can see tumor margins more clearly. This means surgeons can zero in on the cancer, eliminating all of it, without affecting healthy tissue.
• Dr. Gary Gilliland, president and director of Fred Hutch, has a bold vision. He believes Hutch scientists can find curative therapies for many, if not all, cancers by the year 2025. They just need the funding to do it.

Please join me in remembering Mike by donating today — your gift will support innovative research that saves lives.

Thank You.

Dennis