Feb 20 - May 3, 2010: Riding for AAMDS

St. Augustine to San Diego

AA&MDSIF Board Member Keith Jackson is riding his bike from St. Augustine to San Diego to raise awareness and money.   He is doing this 3 month ride in honor of his daughter Christina, who was diagnosed at the age of 10 in 1997 with aplastic anemia.  Following a bone marrow transplant from her sister, she has recovered and is leading a healthy life.

This 3 month bike ride is unique, as Keith will be working full time from the road during his ride.  Keith says, "since I am a software developer, I am fortunate to have the ability to work from anywhere with internet access.  When my daughter was sick and in the hospital, I also worked full time from the hospital room, and I know just how lucky I am to be able to do this.  Every day, thousands of caregivers struggle to hold full time jobs while care for a child or parent with severe illnesses.   It is in this spirit that I am cycling across the country."

Keith will be cycling along the Southern Tier route, and you can view this  route to see if he'll be travelling by your hometown. The route starts in St. Augustine and goes near or through cities such as Tallahassee, Pensacola, Mobile, Baton Rouge, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Tempe, Phoenix and San Diego. 

Do you live in or near one of these cities?  Would you like to connect with Keith on his trip and have him stop in your town to talk about bone marrow failure disease?  Then please be sure to contact him .  You can follow Keith's progress through his blog . He updates his travel adventures regularly and even shares pictures. 

You can help support Keith's event!  There are many ways you can help:

• Email him words of encouragement
  
• Host an AA&MDSIF gathering in conjunction with Keith's visit in your community.  Consider inviting some friends over for coffe/bagels, a pot luck dinner, or even a dessert party while Keith is in your community.
• Help him make connections to people you may know who live in communities along his route
• Make a donation in honor of Keith and his event
  

Saturday, April 17th, 2010: 2nd Annual T.S. Gates Memorial 5K Run / 2 Mile Walk

Poquoson, VA

The 2nd Annual T.S. Gates Memoria 5K Run / 2 Mile Walk will be held on Saturday, April 17 at Poquoson High School in Poquoson, VA.  the event starts at 8:30 am.  On site registration begins at 7:00 am, and the entry fee is $20 for either event.  There will also be drinks, foods and a post-race raffle.

This event will raise awareness and funds for aplastic anemia, MDS and PNH.  All proceeds will benefit AA&MDSIF.  This event is being organized by Elizabeth Gates in memory of her father Tom Gates.  If you would like to participate, or would like more information, please contact Race Director Elizabeth Gates .

May 8 - 9, 2010: Living with a Blood Disease Symposium

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN

Living with a Blood Disease Symposium: A Comprehensive Workshop for Patients, their Family and Friends

May 8-9, 2010

This symposium, sponsored by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is for family members, friends and patients who are currently fighting a disease of the blood. An internationally renowned group of speakers have been organized to accomplish two main goals. The first goal is to provide comprehensive, state of the art, specific breakout sessions regarding a variety of blood diseases, including aplastic anemia, MDS, PNH, leukemia and more. In addition, this symposium will provide attendees patients and family members with information on issues rarely discussed in the exam room, including overcoming fatigue, nutrition, advocacy and more.

For more information about this symposium, registration, or accommodations, please contact Matrix Meetings, Inc. at 507-288-5620 or by e-mail at admin@matrixmeetings.com. You may also visit the course Web site for up-to-date information.

Saturday, June 19th, 2010: Jackson County Brevet

Hoschton/Braselton, Georgia

The 1st Annual Jackson County Brevet will be held on Saturday, June 19 at 8:30 am in the suburban Atlanta area.  The bike ride event, organized by Robert Wilhite, will offer 35, 65 & 100 mile ride options.  This is an event for the whole family.  The ride will start and end at Addictive Cycles in the Hoschton/Braselton area.

Robert is organizing this ride in honor of his wife, Kelly, who has aplastic anemia.  Money raised from the event will go to AA&MDSIF to support patient education, advocacy and research.

For more information about this event, please visit the event Web site.  Registration for the event is now open, so if you live in the area, please come join in on the fun!