Cathy Baar, a W50 thrower and jumper in San Diego, is like most masters — in it for the joy of competiition and the social interaction. She’s not world-class and is content with that. But unlike most athletes, she’s overcome a world of pain, even as she goes from WMA world meet to another. She’s a cancer survivor — who underwent chemotherapy and radiation for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Yet she’s looking forward with pride to even more pain: her first triathlon. It’s not Ironman-class (no marathon), but it’s a challenge in itself. On her behalf, I’m sharing her story and request for donations.

Here is Cathy’s letter:
I am a Lymphoma survivor. I am alive only because of the research that has been done over so many years. In keeping with my desire to help others live, too, I have joined with the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Team In Training with the goal of raising $2,700 to participate in the Wildflower Triathlon in Monterey, in May. I train six days a week, and we will be completing a one-mile swim, 25-mile bike, and 6-mile run. Most of us are training and racing for an honored teammate — someone fighting leukemia or lymphoma. I, on the other hand, am training and racing in honor of my own four years in remission.
This is where I need your support. Any amount will help. 75% of all money raised goes directly to leukemia and lymphoma research. This pair of diseases is the greatest killer of children under 14. As little as ten years ago, 95% of children with leukemia or lymphoma died; the pendulum has swung the other way since, but still too many are dying.
Those of you who have trained for a triathlon know how tough my training will be, but nowhere near as tough as the months of chemotherapy and endless needles we cancer patients endure. Every day is a test of endurance that I never thought I would have to imagine, but is something I got through. That race is a race much longer than this one I am training for.
Thank you for reading this far; if you are considering a donation, I ask you to give your contribution by March 21st. I will be able to accept donations after this date and up to June 1st.
You may donate directly from my Web site or send me a check made out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (In the Memo portion of the check include my name and event so the Society will know who to credit for your donation.) Your contribution is 100% tax deductible. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Tax ID is 13-5644916.
Ice packs, Tylenol, massages, and a personal cheering section are certainly welcome, too.
Thank you again and with much love and appreciation,
Cathy Baar
Address: PO Box 721, Spring Valley, CA 91976
My Web Site:
https://www.active.com/donate/tntsdh/CathysFinishLine
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: http://www.lls.org
Team In Training: http://www.teamintraining.org
Wildflower Triathlon: http://www.tricalifornia.com/wildflower/2006/
Donation Suggestions by Division:
$8.00 — Two Bits a mile, that’s Starbucks money for a day or two! Division
$32 — a buck a mile, I can swing that! Division
$50 — Thank goodness I’m healthy! Division.
$____ — Better her than me! Official Couch Potato Division.
Me again:
Cathy is a longtime contributor to the Masterstf mailing list, and also has written for National Masters News. She competed for Puerto Rico at Gateshead and San Juan. In spring 2003, she went out of her way to help American masters athletes find places to stay for the Puerto Rico world meet. Now she needs our help.
Please join me in supporting her cause — and courage.