Making a Difference...

I am happy to share with everyone that the Foundation has officially helped it's second family, Matt and Miranda Lauffer. Derrick and I met Matt and Miranda in NYC, when Derrick and Matt where both getting bone marrow transplants. The foundation was so glad that we were able to help them, because Derrick and I became very close to them both during our time in the hospital and at the Hope Lodge. Derrick and Matt spent many confined nights at the Hope Lodge together playing Mario Cart and Wii... Miranda was my sanity while I was there. It was so nice having someone to talk and relate to.They are both wonderful people and they definitely helped to make our stay away from home so much better! I am happy to say that Matt just had his ine year post transplant check up and he is doing great! I want to thank everyone who has continued to be so generous with donating their time, money, and efforts to keep Derrick's memory and dream alive. Without the support of each of you, none of this would be possible. Here is a letter from Matt and Miranda... ( I will add their picture soon!)

Hey, my name is Matt Lauffer…in January 2008 I was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). If left untreated MDS can lead to Leukemia.In the early stages of my illness, before my diagnosis, I was uninsured while visiting several doctors and ER’s which led to tremendous debt.My wife Miranda met Mindy at Sloan Kettering while Derrick and I were receiving our stem cell transplants.While Derrick and I were confined to our rooms, Mindy and Miranda spent time together talking and planning our weddings.Shortly after, we relocated to the Hope Lodge in NYC where the four of us became good friends.Derrick and I spent many hours playing games on the Wii and just discussing our progress.After I was allowed to leave the city and relocate back home, I continued to follow Derrick and Mindy’s story.I read about all the foundation had done for other cancer families and the money that they had raised thanks to Mindy’s determination to keep Derrick’s dream alive. Over the next several months, I was only able to pay the minimum amounts to all the hospitals I had outstanding balances with.It wasn’t until recently that all of my balances went to collection agencies.Mindy had insisted that she help us if we needed it and it finally got to the point where the foundation was our only hope.Thanks to the foundation, all of its supporters and Derrick’s dream we are now able to pay off all of our medical debt and enjoy our recent marriage without the stresses of medical debt.
With much love and support,
Matt and Miranda Lauffer


In other news, the Foundation is hosting a fundraiser this weekend for our third family we are helping. Our goal is to help Carla Schrek pay for her medical bills and her chemo treatments since she does not have insurance. I will keep you posted on how it goes! Also, I ordered fitted hats with the logo on. They are white with light blue and black writing. they turned out really nice! I can order in other colors if anyone is interested. Also, I still have a lot of 5k shirts left, so let me know if you are interested.

* I am currently working on getting the logos/information of the sponsors of the foundation. This would include all the business who have donated or helped out for fundraisers. I would like to add this information to the sponsor page on our website, so please email me your logos when you get a chance. Thanks!

Mindy :)