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DONATIONS: I had mentioned that donations for the humanized 3F8 project at Sloan Kettering were being accepted at Ryan's site. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the gift shop and donation page on www.for-ryan.org has been discontinued. Any prior donations already collected will definitely be directed to this project. One other clarification. The latest news from the ‘Band of Parents’ is that the money raised will not necessarily be restricted to the hu3F8 project if the researchers at Sloan come up with something more promising, but every penny of the money donated will go definitely go directly to Neuroblastoma research and treatment at Sloan. Tax deductible donations can be made at www.loneliestroad.org. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to visit this site. Among other things there are some great articles done by local newspapers on a couple of the dads doing the bike trip. and is about Grace Oughton's dad, Alec. We've come to know Alec, little Grace and her mom Crystal over the last several months. We first met in Boston and now Grace is being treated in NY. Alec will leave his wife and daughter in NY as Grace continues treatment for relapse, and pedal across America not only for Grace but for all our children. Make no mistake. I HATE asking for your hard-earned money. But, as you ponder whether or not to open your wallet one more time, consider the following: Neuroblastoma is called an "orphan" cancer because it is so rare and therefore receives little research money. This limits treatment options. Childhood cancers, in general, are uncommon, so the vast majority of federal funding and private donations for cancer research are directed toward adult cancers. Prostate cancer, for instance, which does not substantially shorten the lives of the majority of patients who have it, receives far more funding than all childhood cancers combined. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry is generally not interested in pediatric cancers because of the small market size. A large part of funding for research and development of new therapies for childhood cancers comes from parents, family, and friends of the children themselves. Dr. Cheung at Memorial Sloan Kettering is on the brink of a new treatment for neuroblastoma that could give years of life to Grace and Ryan. But he needs several million to create a new therapy. Money donated to loneliestroad.org goes directly to support Dr. Cheung's research. These NB children are fighting the "bad guys," as Grace calls her cancer cells, with all of their strength. But they can't do it alone. Please visit: The Lonliest Road. There is great info there on 3F8 and how this humanized 3F8 will improve the odds for sooo many children. Donations can be made there. Even a small $25.00 donation will help. In their first day going online they raised over 2500.00. It is a foundation, so it is tax deductible!
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