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This is the text of my fundraising letter sent out to family and friends:

     Have you ever found yourself suddenly volunteering to do something you'd normally not even be willing to consider? Usually, I don't even consider doing those sort of things, but sometimes, if the stars align just so, and the reasons are right, I surprise even myself. On June 5th, I will be participating in a 100 mile bike ride that will be the culmination of a journey that I can make only with your help. The ride will be physically challenging, encircling Lake Tahoe at an average elevation of over 6,200 feet. In order to prepare for the ride, I will have to train hard, but I will constantly be reminded that my effort is nothing compared to the challenges faced by the people who I am making this journey for: those suffering with the terrible effects of leukemia, lymphoma and other blood related cancers.

     All of us know someone either directly or indirectly affected by these devastating diseases. These diseases became personal for me in the story of Amy Weber and her son, Logan. Amy was a fun loving woman, mother, daughter and sister. Amy had already faced her share of medical challenges as a child when she became deaf at 9 months old after suffering with meningitis. Despite her own challenges, Amy was raising her son, Logan, as a single mother. She was pursuing her education while caring for her young son when she suddenly became ill and was soon diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 21. Despite her illness, Amy was always cheerful and optimistic. She fought valiantly for her life, but the disease overcame her. Amy passed away last winter at the age of 23. Before Amy died, she surrounded herself and Logan with family and friends and ensured that Logan would always be loved and cared for . While her death is a tragic loss, the story of her young son, Logan, is one of hope for the future. Logan was only 6 when Amy died, old enough to feel deeply the loss of his mother but not yet old enough to fully understand the causes of her death. Lara and I were very fortunate to spend a vacation week with him recently and come to know him better. While Logan is surrounded with love and he's the blur of energy, laughter and curiosity one expects of a seven year old boy, one can't help but wonder what his life might be like if this tragic loss had not taken so much from him...if Amy's leukemia could have been cured.

     So how can you help? You can help by sponsoring my ride and contributing to the Western New York & Finger Lakes chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Your 100% tax deductible donation helps to fund local medical researchers in Buffalo and Rochester working to find cures and to provide resources to supporters and caregivers helping those suffering from leukemia and lymphoma. Your contribution will make a difference as great progress is being made. Recently developed treatments and steady advances in research are bringing us closer to finding the causes and probable cures for these cancers. As recently as 1965, 95% of children diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood leukemia, died. The survival rate for children under age 5 is now over 89%! These advances are so important since 30% of cancers diagnosed in children under age 14 are leukemia, and leukemia remains the leading fatal cancer in young men and women like Amy.

     I have committed myself to riding the 100 miles and raising a minimum of $4,500 for these causes. Contributing is easy. Please use the enclosed card or visit my 'Team In Training' webpage to make a contribution online. (Bookmark the site and visit often to see new pictures and to check up on my training and fundraising progress.)

     On June 5th, I will ride in memory of Amy and in honor of Logan. In addition to the thoughts of them I will carry with me, I will proudly wear their names on my Team In Training jersey. I will be even prouder to carry the memory of those that you honor with your contribution. Please send me e-mail with the names of those you honor so that I can add them to my jersey alongside Amy and Logan.

     I thank you for your consideration and your generous contributions.

     With sincerity and appreciation,

     Joel Rosen