In June 2008, brother of Brooklyn Landshark Jed, Rory, was diagnosed with lymphoma. As Rory had previously competed in triathlons to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an organization which funds the research and treatment of blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, the Brooklyn Landsharks were formed and decided to pick-up Rory’s torch. Since then we have participated in TWO! Wildflower Olympic Triathlons in the rolling (ha!) hills of northern California and we’re about to embark on what may be the craziest race we’ve done yet.

That first year our goal was to raise $25,000. As Rory raised almost $25,000 by his self for the last triathlon he did in October, it seemed like an appropriate place to start. We smashed it!  The 5 original Landsharks brought in over 34,000! In year two, we added a couple new members and surpassed the $70,000 mark. Now it’s year three and we’re taking on the New York Ragnar Relay race in which we, now a robust group of 12, run almost 200 miles from Bethel, New York to Dobbs Ferry just north of NYC.  This year we’re hoping to make it to the $100,000 mark!

Please make a donation to support our goal and help advance the Society’s mission. Every dollar you donate will go towards supporting research, patient and community service and education. No gift is too small–or too large! Contributions can be made directly and securely here. Please contact one of use directly if you’d like to make a donation via another method.

Thanks in part to research funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukemia has improved from 4% in 1960 to 85% percent today. Bone marrow transplantation and chemotherapy, the backbone for treatment of most forms of cancer, have both stemmed from leukemia research. And while over 800,000 Americans are currently living with a blood cancer, with steady advances in research and treatment we are closer to a cure every day.

Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated. And if you will pass on this link to friends, family, or coworkers who you think are willing to help fight blood cancers we would be deeply appreciative.

With love,

The Landsharks

Jed, Aaron, Nems, Don, Emily, Alex, Jesse, Christine, Jen, Ronen, Pete, Isaac