World of Good, Lymphoma.org Style

Update: lymphoma.org is reputed to be involved in lobbying for the use of embryonic stem cells for their research. Having given that warning, I took a long time to write this post and it still fits the bill as a World of Good post. I'll bet the donors and volunteers don't even know it's going on. There's still a World of Good to be found in the actions of these people.

---

Wow, has it been a long time since we've done a World of Good (WOG) or what? Today's WOG was inspired by a lovely young lady I met at a recent trade show who told me all about her work with the other volunteers at lymphoma.org.

There's not much worse in the world than receiving a diagnosis of cancer. After the shock has been absorbed, the first thing a patient wants to do is learn more. That's where lymphoma.org steps in.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lymphoma, the most common blood cancer and third most common cancer of childhood, the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is here to help. On this Web site you will find valuable information about the different types of lymphoma - Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diagnostic techniques your health care practitioners may use, and treatment options. Here you can also learn about the latest research findings and get help searching for clinical trials that relate to your condition. The Lymphoma Support Network can help you connect with a peer who is also living with lymphoma or you can find out how to volunteer at an LRF chapter near you.

Speaking personally, support groups of folks who have been through the same thing are invaluable. The more rare the problem, the more important the related support group as it is among these people that you find the most camaraderie and understanding. Sometimes just finding that group can be hard. The volunteers at lymphoma.org have done all the hard work of organizing that group already.

Lymphoma.org also sponsors fund raising events for lymphoma-related research and shares stories from cancer survivors. When you've received the diagnosis, it's important for you to now that the future isn't completely black. Hope needs a seed to grow from. Here's Wendy's story.

Healthy Survivor. That’s me! I’m a 52 year-old mother of three, doctor of internal medicine, author of several books on cancer survivorship, and 16 year (and counting) long-term cancer survivor who, as a Healthy Survivor has been getting good care and living as fully as possible.

There are lots more stories like these. Stop by and read a few.

The folks at lymphoma.org are dedicating their lives and fortunes to improving treatements for the disease. Dig this.

LRF Board member Tom Condon and his family issued a $1 million challenge grant to the Foundation. They would pledge $1 million for follicular lymphoma research, payable over no more than five years, if LRF could raise another $2 million in cash or pledges by the end of December 2006.

What can you do with $1,000,000? Well, you could buy all of the following.

A Ferrari F430 Spider Convertible.

A 48' SeaRay power boat.

A condo in Telluride.
Or you could use the $1,000,000 to help people with lymphoma. The Condon family decided to forgo those material pleasures in favor of the joy of giving to others. Did anyone else?

LRF is delighted to announce that the challenge goal was exceeded and that, as of December 31, slightly more than $5 million has been raised to fund follicular lymphoma research.

Yep. Sounds like there's a World of Good out there.

We try to do this every week. We've got quite a list of previous WOGs for you to read. Check them out.