Hi friends and family!

As many of you know, I have been waking up before dawn this spring and summer to train for the 34 mile paddleboard marathon, the 2011 Cape Cod Bay Challenge.

So far, I have 60 days on the water and I'm shooting for 100 before the event.

All proceeds from the CCBC will benefit Christopher’s Haven, a 501-c3 non-profit dedicated to providing housing for kids that come to Boston from around the world to undergo cancer treatments. http://www.christophershaven.org/ Christopher’s Haven can house up to 7 families at a time in a comfortable home-like atmosphere and help relieve some of the financial and emotional strain during a very difficult time for families with kids suffering from cancer.

As a CCBC board member, I have spent much time at Christopher's Haven and met several families.  To watch these kids persevere through this devastating disease is to watch human grace and dignity at its best.  Christopher's Haven makes this possible.  Did you know that in the past, a child that contracted cancer had limited options for survival?  Today, a child that is diagnosed with cancer has an 80% survival rate IF treated with a proton beam accelerator.  The problem is that there are few of these treatment facilities around the globe so children must travel to hospitals that have these advanced facilities and technologies.  Treatments last for weeks if not months, so a round of cancer treatments can be a financial hardship on many families.  That's where Christopher's Haven helps out: families can live in a comfortable setting close to the hospital and preserve some of the dignity and family comfort that is needed during this tough time in a child's life.  I believe it because I have met some of the kids and their families and I encourage you to take a look at the attached video to learn more.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!