Message Lunch for Life

Hello! Ready to put on your running shoes? It is that time of year again whenwe all race to challenge everyone to give up a Lunch for Life!Over the years Lunch for Life has helped the Children’s NeuroblastomaCancer Foundation fund some incredible research and neuroblastomainitiatives. It is each and every one of our families and childrenthat makes Lunch for Life such a success every year. We have impactedlives. We are closer to a cure today because of this participation.However, as much as we would like to focus on our successes, we findourselves even more desperate for a cure than ever before. Why? There is incredibly important neuroblastoma research that is sittingout there, unfunded. If we don’t raise the funds needed to supportit, it simply won’t be an option for our children. Bottom-line, overthe next few months it is necessary for us to raise $500,000.00 forneuroblastoma research. While we would love to raise more this isjust the bare minimum of what is necessary. Without this funding wecan guaranty that there will be fewer options for our children and theones that follow in their footsteps. Without this funding, there willbe fewer trials than we have today and there will be fewer kids ontrial. That is the sad reality. It depends on us – you, your friendsand family - to make sure this does not happen.We can make a difference. We can make substantial change. There areover 400 families of children with neuroblastoma that areparticipating and we have a large voice. We need those researchdollars and we need people’s lunches. Please stand up with us againand fight for this very important neuroblastoma research.In these economic times, we appreciate that you, your family andfriends; just like us, are paying very close attention to where everydollar goes. We want you to know that your lunch money has, and willcontinue, to do great things. Over the years we have funded researchwhich we are all incredibly proud of, and you should be too. In fact,we would defy anyone to identify a single research proposal that ismore important or meaningful than what we have funded this year. Thatis what Lunch for Life is all about – funding research that isnecessary and meaningful.This year at the CNCF’s Neuroblastoma Conference for Parents andCaregivers I, on behalf of Lunch for Life and the CNCF, outlined manyof the proposals that we have helped fund. This presentation isonline, and covers much of the reasoning and rationale behind ourfunding. I encourage you to view the video to see an overview of theitems that our lunches have helped to fund. It can be found here:http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ChildrensNeuroblasto/fd9b5dccbb/82c14345c2/d0ed298716/docid=-3833421150602147926&hl=enFurthermore, over the next few weeks we plan to outline some of theincredible research we hope to fund in the coming years. This planwill go into detail as to why this research is so mission critical,and why this research will make a difference. This research is in ourhands, totally dependent upon the funds that we raise today.Our Giving Tree program is alive and well, and will continue againthis year. Each donation made in honor of a child with neuroblastomawill earn that child gifts under their tree. Those gifts will bemailed out at the end of the year to that family. In addition, eachminimum five dollar donation made in a child’s name will earn thatchild’s family a chance to win a Walt Disney Dream Vacation. Thedrawing will be held on December 25, 2008. Please visit the websiteto update your information, pictures and to view your family’s tree.We want to thank you again for your support of Lunch for Life. Remember, the concept is simple and if we all work together we cancontinue to create some amazing changes. It is just lunch, but ittruly does mean lives. We urge you to help us get the word out. Write email, make phone calls, post messages on your CaringBridgepages. Urge everyone you know to donate the cost of one day’s lunchto the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation through Lunch forLife, and ask them to help spread the word. The process is simple. Just ask them to donate online athttp://cts.vresp.com/c/?ChildrensNeuroblasto/fd9b5dccbb/82c14345c2/e7d69281ad. The more the better too, in the past we have had tremendous successby getting our employers and schools to help sponsor a Lunch for Lifeday. It is a great opportunity to help spread the word and mostimportantly get those research dollars.We will fund the cure.If you have any questions please feel free to contact me atmdungan@lunchforlife.org. We have everything you need to help youraise money for research. We will supply you with flyers, posters,information and those coveted Lunch for Life lunch bags. Just let meknow what you need. Please also be sure to visit the website forsample emails, information, and ideas on how to best get the word out.With hope,Mark Dungan