Update email on the LAF Ride - PLEASE donate!

Here is an email that we are trying to send out today (it's not going through right now because I have a bad email address for somebody in my list - I'm working on that!). Since I'm not sure who reads the blog vs who sends email, I'm putting the entry in here, too.

Please, please, please consider donating. We are truly grateful - thank you! To donate, click on the link in the white box to your right on the screen.

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Hello, friends and family. By now most of you have heard that I was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 1, 2005, and that I am in the fight of my life. This is a fight that I fully intend to win - I have great doctors, all kinds of medical advances working in my favor, and pure stubbornness on my side, and this is not a fight I can afford to lose! I have many blessings and supports in my life, and I do not forget them as I do battle every day.

As you might imagine, fundraising for cancer research and support is something that Ryan and I believe in passionately. I am not the first in our family to have cancer - both of my grandfathers had cancer, my Aunt Ann had breast cancer, our nephew Josiah had a rare form of lymphoma, and my sister-in-law Kerri is also fighting breast cancer. Too many people, altogether! Ryan and I want to help to fight for cancer cures and assistance for cancer research, and that is where we are asking for your help.

This September, Ryan is riding in the Portland Livestrong Ride, sponsored by Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation. Ryan will ride alongside Lance, the STP 2004 Team (Paul, Libby, and Kent), and my Uncle Mike (all of whom are doing their own fundraising for the event). If Ryan hits certain fundraising levels, he will win the possibility of an early starting place in the race, close to Lance...but that is not our main goal. Our main goal is to raise money to cure this terrible disease.

Please consider a donation, large or small. No amount is too trivial (every dollar helps!) and certainly, no amount is too large (but only fitting into your personal budget, of course). You can donate by clicking the link online - the registered rider is Ryan. Tessa and I plan to go (as long as I'm doing well in chemotherapy...so far so good) to cheer Ryan and our friends across the finish line.

TO DONATE, click on the link in the white box to the right on your screen.

We do not wish to inundate your inbox with messages, so this is the last message that we will send. We understand that finances can be tight, and that there are many worthy causes to choose between, but we hope that you will consider even a small donation. Together, we are strong! And please, do not hesitate to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested.

Thank you in advance for considering making a donation. We chose the Lance Armstrong Livestrong foundation because we believe that they spend their money well, and because Lance is a huge source of personal inspiration to both Ryan and myself. We support the good work that they are doing, and we hope that you will too.

Thank you so much for your continued love and support. We would be lost without you.

Love,
Kristina, Ryan, and Tessa Surface

PS I tried to check against the list of people who have already donated and I am SO sorry if I inadvertantly sent this to you again. We are thoroughly grateful for you donation - thank you!