You do not need to be O'Neal - you need to make a difference as individuals as well !!

[Guest guest]

Hi guys

I have been checking in and reading the threads.

I apologise that I have not made the effort to post lately - I have been too

busy with Light the Night in Australia.

Now finished - pheew !!

It would be great that someone stood up with integrity who had CML and was known

throughout the world for that integrity.

Does it need to be O'Neal. I understand the positive issues of someone

with CML who is a celebrity.

Could it just be a person, rock band, celebrity (the right one) who is

recognised and champions the cause regardless if they have CML or not.

I was watching the World Ironman in Kona last weekend and it was amazing - then

what did I sight a few people in the marathon with LLS on their Shirts.

My friend was competing as a challenged athlete and had CAF for Challenged

Athlete Foundation on his shirt. We just need a brand that is recognised world

wide

and someone to champion that.

Yes like Virginia (I am now her twin) even though I have not raised as much

monies as the fund raising queen.

I also like Virginia was invited to be the Light the Night Ambassador ( a CMLer)

and lead the Walk as the White Balloon for Survivorship.

I have promoted CML where ever I go - that you are more then your condition. The

first CMLer to do so in Australia and what an honour.

I raised $17,000.00 Australian over a few weeks for Light the Night.

We had just basic events, not huge ones and spread the word.

Examples were soup kitchens and every plate or cup of soup $2 goes to LTN

-Leukaemia Foundation. So that people was a lot of soup sold.

A High Tea with raffles, auctions, donations. Cooking Classes with Master Chefs.

Produce Raffles and the

old fashioned meat pack raffles.

My monies went directly to critical medical research and that of patient

transfer. The monies from the soup kitchen

were directly to fuel cars for patient transfers between hospitals, patient

appointments etc.

From the many speeches and articles that I wrote and presented to promote -

there have been so much positive feedback.

From those I was also invited to go to the University Press Club Event held at

the Citys University. Now that was a big deal.

A number of scientists and researchers were there, including medicos, who had a

role in CML - and great knowledge.

One of the medical labs (leading in WA) have made a huge discovery and is

getting a buzz thru the medical world.

What it means no-one knows as yet - but a significant break-thru.

They have just found the role of Myeloid Leukeamia Factor 1 in Leukaemia.

- Monies donated to Leukaemia Foundation actually made this research happen. So

if you ever think that you cannot make a

difference you are wrong - all those $2.00 help save our lives and others.

In real terms - every full fuel for a car - can take 60 people to an

appointment. Imagine how that impacts in real ways to famalies.

My monies would of therefore in the short term - taken nearly 1000 people to

appointments just from the soup kitchen.

From the University Press Club Event (I was one of the guest speakers) and spoke

of CML survivorship and how I live my life with

a blood condition. The medicos stood up as one - and gave me an applause - and a

few scientists said it was a most powerful presentation.

I have now been invited to speak to young scientists in the University and in

the labs - so that they can see the outcome of their work

on real cancer clients (Yes I am never a patient). What invitation to spread the

word my come from that - there will be another

given opportunity - you must be ready to take those opportunities up to

highlight CML and other blood cancers.

Suggestion: If you cannot do something yourself then pledge monies and follow

Virginia Garner in her Team in Training for 2011.

Remember Monies for blood cancer research - the outcomes are global - Like the

new MLFactor 1 - which is the new interest to the world of science.

You do not need to be ONeal

to make a difference to others with blood cancers -

There are other people who are high profile out there - if not make yourself

that High Profile person.

Step UP everyone is my Mantra - find and take that opportunity to make a

difference - . We just need you and your passion to help to deliver real

outcomes.

Everyone of us can do 1 thing - to make a difference and I and Virginia can

vouch, it does.

Examples:

Lottie with her research that links the CML family together, Zavie and Tracey

with their knowledge - Skip with his life long CML experience.

Bobbie with her endurance and laughter at herself. Malsteed (from the

other side of Aust) my friend who is always there for me.

The small things make a difference such as Zavie sharing his photos with us all

- we see him and family having a fantastic life -

Remember - CML is not who you are - You are more than your condition - Enjoy

your life, be compliant to your medications. Show people

that you have a good life with CML - you are not alone. Ask for help and

assistance if required.

I am off to fix a water pipe leak,otherwise no water (live in rural region) -

so life goes on - even with CML. Enjoy yours and with great research

you will have a great life - make it happen.

I salute you Virginia xxx

Cheers

Sue (Aussie)

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