CAUSES CLOSE to my HEART Each of us has a cause. Perhaps something that has touched our life~or the life of someone we love. My life was touched when I was diagnosed with Leukemia 12/2003 During the last 2 years I have met many brave people who are battling cancer. We all need an angel who cares. Information is POWER each cause is linked to further information. I hope they will help you..The CURE is in the RESEARCH...........                                   THESE ARE MY CAUSES / I met Anthony Herrera in early 2004 while I was still receiving chemo. Anthony came to Huntsville and gave a talk about his life and personal battle with cancer. His book The Cancer War is great, I highly recommend it to anyone going through cancer or stem cell transplant. Anthony was digonsed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 1997 and was told "you are going to die". He had his second stem cell transplant in 1999 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. His case made medical history. In October of 2005 Anthony testified for Senator Arlen Specter on the importance of Federal Government's support of stem cell research. Click on the image of the book below for more info. "The concern of many opponents of the research has been that stem cells derived from human embryos would potentially destroy life. The fact is that the only human embryos that are used as a basis for stem-cell research are those that would otherwise be discarded from in vitro fertilization clinics. This is not a matter of using a human embryo that has the potential to produce life. Rather, these otherwise discarded embryos have the potential to save lives." Republican Senator Arlen Specter OpEd in The Forward, May 21, 2004 "Science has presented us with a hope called stem-cell research, which may provide our scientists with answers that have so long been beyond our grasp. I just don't see how we can turn our backs on this - there are just so many diseases that can be cured, or at least helped. We have lost so much time already, and I just really can't bear to lose any more." Nancy Reagan Remarks at California benefit supporting stem cell research May 8, 2004 "As people of faith we are called to be partners with God in healing and in the alleviation of human pain and suffering. With careful regulation, we affirm the use of stem cell tissue for research that may result in the restoring of health to those suffering from serious illness." Presbyterian Church, USA "Stem cell research offers great promise. It could be used to develop dramatic new procedures and techniques to reverse degenerative heart disease. For example, it may help generate new, healthy heart tissue, valves and other vital tissues and structures. About 128 million people suffer from diseases that might be cured or treated through stem cell research. About 58 million of these people suffer from cardiovascular disease. Our association is committed to supporting medical and scientific research" American Heart Association Policy in support of stem cell research You can make a difference. . . Cristian is one of many children diagnosed with leukemia each year. He speaks English rather well, learning it from the other children who have been in treatment with him. His good spirits keep his family going as one can see from his big smile. His family wants everyone to know how important blood donors have been to Cristian! They believe that people who donate blood and platelets are truly giving the gift of life. Patients like Cristian inspire each of us to donate blood as often as possible. Please donate blood. It only takes about an hour and you can do so much to help patients just like Cristian! The beautiful song playing is SKIN by Rascal Flatts, it is also known as the Leukemia Song.