About the author

After completing two New York City marathons to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the venue has shifted to Washington, D.C. Our new fundraising goal for the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon is $2,750.

This year the race is dedicated to Irving Halpern, a cousin who succumbed to a form of lymphoma in 2009.

With your support we have already raised more than $8,000 in previous marathons for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which continues to provide vital patient services across the country and fund cutting-edge research. Your support translates directly into the development of new therapies and immediate help for thousands of patients.

In March of 2011 we have also raised more than $1,500for Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a remarkable organization that caters to children who are battling serious illnesses. Hole in the Wall was founded by Paul Newman to provide an outlet for children who are unable to experience conventional summer camps. Many of the campers are in treatment for leukemia or lymphoma.

The goal of this forum is to keep the many generous sponsors and interested persons fully apprised of new developments associated with this effort.

In the coming months, I will post regular updates about how the Leukemia & Lymphoma spends pledge dollars, ongoing fundraising efforts, personal marathon training developments.

In addition, I will make a second attempt to beat actor Ed Norton's 2009 NYC marathon time of 3:48. The guantlet was dropped after Mr. Norton trained in Africa as part of a broader effort to support the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Friendly athletic rivalries are always good for fundraising efforts.

Donor payment options include:

1. electronic, using credit card thru http://ericontheroad.net

2. Check, made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by snail mail.

3. Contribution through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

Please contact me for details concering options 2 and 3.

Thank you in advance for your support, and please feel free to contact me at stargell@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.

Eric Baum

February 16, 2011

Who Benefits From Hole in the Wall?

Campers come to Hole in the Wall with a variety of special needs.

Primary diagnoses for the campers for a typical summer are:

Approximately 20% with cancer

Approximately 45% with sickle cell anemia, hemophilia and other blood diseases

Approximately 20% with HIV/AIDs (although this disease group is aging out of our program, with fewer young children entering the program

Approximately 12% siblings (mostly healthy, some with asthma and/or developmental delays)

In 2010, Hole in the Wall served a record number of 1,097 summer campers. The states with the highest number of campers included Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.

Altogether, the campers came from a total of 26 U.S. states and three overseas countries (35 campers).

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: 2011 D.C. Marathon

In Honor of Irving Halpern

Who Benefits From Hole in the Wall?