Join TEAM KURTZ to help find a cure for Amyloidosis !

Hi Everyone...

I hope you will take the time to read the letter below from my good friend 

Tom Beaumont. Tom will be competing in a Triathlon in a few weeks in 

support of Amyloidosis Research. As much as I would love to run, swim 

and bike along side him on that day, the doctors have gently suggested 

that I wait until next year (ya think??!) Plus, I don't want to hold him up...

my money's on Tom to win it this year!! 

As most of you already know, research has not identified what causes

Amyloidosis and consequently there is no cure...only treatment.

Every patient presents differently (depending on the organ involvement) 

and reacts differently to medications. Initial diagnosis and treatments that 

exist now are a result of years of ongoing research and clinical trials. I 

thank God for these! The work that has been done in the last 8-10 years 

will probably save my life, and provide more treatment options and success 

stories in the years to come. (Just in case there was any doubt...I plan on 

being one of those!!) I hope that you will consider donating even if it's 

just $5, to this very worthy cause. The folks at BU have been pioneers in 

this field for over 20 years. They won't stop until they have all the answers. 

But they need your help to continue. The dedication of Drs. Seldin, 

Sanchorawala, Skinner, and many other doctors and researchers who study 

and treat Amyloid patients is second to none. I am incredibly blessed and 

fortunate to have been in their care (as well as that of my fabulous 

entourage!) 

Everyday, I wake up in my own bed, feeling stronger and more alive than

I did the day before. I know that I have a long road ahead of me and that 

I could not have come this far without God's unfailing presence and grace, 

all of your prayers, encouragement, and humorous emails, and oh yeah, 

let's not forget, the really powerful drugs they gave me at BU Med Ctr! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Love, Cheryl 

************************************************************ 

Happy summer to all!  I hope that everyone is taking advantage of this time
to spend with family and friends.  Keep the barbecue stoked with the
burgers and dogs cooking, and the cool drinks flowing.

I NEED YOUR HELP !  I'm sure that you all know that I have been preparing
for a couple events this summer. The Black Fly Tri at Waterville Valley was
fun.   The Timberman Sprint is the big one on my list again this year.  The
race last year was so much fun. I snuck way into the top third of the a pack
of over 1100 athletes.  Your generous donations to Make-A-Wish made the
event even more special. Thanks to all of you for your support last year. 

This year's event will take place on August 21, 2010.  My training this
winter was slowed by some very minor knee surgery, but I'm back on my horse
with renewed inspiration. This year I have become part of "Cheryl's Amyloid
Adventure".  My friend and former ski buddy, Cheryl Kurtz was not feeling
very well and her doctors sent her to Boston for tests. The diagnosis took a
while, but she was found to have Amyloidosis and has spent almost all of her
time as a patient of the BU Amyloid Treatment Center since April.

Cheryl's first reaction to her doctor's diagnosis 

was......"What the heck is Amyloidosis"?!

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which one or more organ systems in the
body accumulate deposits of abnormal proteins known as amyloid. There is no
known cause. The amyloid proteins originate in the bone marrow and travel
through the blood stream to various organs. The incidence of primary amyloid
is estimated at 8 out of 1,000,000 people.  It is a very rare disease, but
fortunately she has the BU Amyloid Treatment Center.

I was first made aware of the disease some years back when my father-in -law
was found to have it.  Today it is in his bones, but has not moved into
other organs. He never would have know he had it if the doctor's had not
found it while testing for something else. The disease can remain in the
body  undetected. For Cheryl, the amyloid protein was found in her bone
marrow and kidneys. Fortunately for Cheryl they caught it early.  Since
April Cheryl has been tested, poked and prodded. She has endured Chemo, 

a stem  cell replacement and a mind numbing battery of other tests and procedures.
 I check her Blog every day to keep in touch from the sidelines. She has had
an incredibly strong spirit and a positive attitude. She is aided by
wonderfully supportive family, friends, talented doctors and caring nurses.

Many of you reading this note know Cheryl personally. Most do not, but do
know others like her. Many of you are Jimmy Fund Supporters, Pan-Mass
challengers, Rodman Riders, and Codman walkers. You have shown a willingness
to walk, ride or run for so many other important causes. You understand just
how hard we must work to help fund those projects that will find the cause,
treatment and cures. You also understand that "EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS". 

The patients fight for their own health, but they and others need your help.

Cheryl's spirit has been an inspiration to me over the last few months. It
is not always easy to head to the pool early in the morning when the snow is
flying. Jumping on the bike or running through the rain is not always fun.
The bottom line is that so many of us have it easy when we have our health.

Continue the inspiration !  Get inspired yourself. Support me in my efforts
at the Timberman.  PLEASE consider making a contribution to The Boston
Medical Center for Amyloid Research . On-line contributions can be done
easily. The link is: http://www.bu.edu/amyloid/donate/form/  PLEASE remember
to go to the comment section and type in Cheryl's Amyloid Adventure.
If you like you can mail the donation directly to the address below.  

Become part of "Cheryl's Amyloid Adventure" team.

Thanks Tom Beaumont
Team Kurtz Wins!


Amyloid Treatment and Research Program
Boston University School of Medicine
C/O Cheryl's Amyloid Adventure
72 East Concord Street., K503
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 638-4317