Family & Friends,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! Believe me when I say that I thought long and hard about whether or not to do fundraising at this challenging economic time but at the risk of imposing, I truly appreciate your time and consideration.

My upcoming marathon and current training is dedicated to honoring my Mom's battle with cancer and raising money to help others in their cancer fights, which in comparison makes running a marathon seem like a walk in the park.

Please consider joining me in honoring my Mom and other cancer fighters in your life by supporting the good work of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF).

The LAF is committed to cancer survivorship. It unites people to fight cancer, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.

If you do nothing else, before you read another word from me, please take a minute to view the video at the link below to hear the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Manifesto from the man himself, Lance Armstrong, the 7 time Tour De France Cycling Champion and cancer survivor.

If you find yourself connecting with the cause, please read on and consider donating whatever you feel is appropriate - it's not about "how much" because every single dollar will help.

http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2661055/k.E8CE/Manifesto.htm

Many of you have supported me in the past, namely for my first-ever NYC Marathon back in 2003. With your help back then, we raised over $3000. for Sloan-Kettering Pediatric Cancer Research. At the time, I was inspired to fundraise by my Dad's cancer battle back in the late 70's and his sister's (my aunt Liz) current fight with breast cancer. I remain grateful to all of you that generously contributed.

In the time that has past since 2003, cancer has found it's way to my family's doorstep once again. In 2005, my aunt Liz passed away at 63 after her decade-long battle with breast cancer. She was a special lady with amazing strength, determination and sense of independence. She never let cancer slow her down and always put other people's needs before her own, literally until the end of her life. She touched many people with kindness, taught genuine life lessons and will always be fondly remembered for living life fully on her own terms.

As many of you know, even more recently my Mom, Vivian Zeidner, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer that has spread to her brain, liver and bones. Mom is a 67 year old, non-smoking victim of this deadly form of cancer but she too is a real fighter and is doing remarkably well right now, thanks in part to leading edge targeted chemotherapy, her capable doctors and healthcare team but mainly due to her personal commitment to fighting every day and living strong!

You can follow my Mom's cancer journey at the CaringBridge website link below -   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vivianzeidner

After Mom's diagnosis in late December 2007, one of the strongest feelings we shared aside from fear was a sense of being somehow singled out and alone in our crisis. Why her? Why our family again? However, it didn't take us long to realize that behind nearly every door is a personal crisis of some kind, and so many are cancer related...a parent or spouse or child...a sibling or friend or neighbor...families fighting the very same fight that we were about to begin in support of my Mom.

So we quickly realized that we weren't alone in our cancer fight...which brought us momentary comfort but then immediately begged the question..."why does it seem like everyone knows someone with cancer?"

The statistics are staggering, unacceptable and simply must be changed!

There are nearly 12 million Americans living with cancer today - a number that has tripled in the last 30 years!

Over 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and over 560,000 Americans will die this year - nearly 1,500 Americans die every day - that's one person every minute! (4 or 5 people in the time it takes to read this!)

Nearly 1 in 2 American men and 1 in 3 American women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. But if you'd prefer to send a check, that's fine too (see below). Can I count on you to help?

Many thanks for your support -- and please forward this to anyone who you think may want to donate too!

LIVESTRONG & GIVESTRONG...JZ

John Zeidner, jzeidner2665@yahoo.com, 704 905 9444

Make checks payable to Lance Armstrong Foundation. Mail them to me for processing at 7082 Harbor Court, Tega Cay, SC 29708

Here are some web links that I encourage you to visit and enjoy...

The Lance Armstrong Foundation - http://www.livestrong.org

Melissa Etheridge "I Run for Life" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgiwrvEX8wY

Get to Know Jack - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF1j95WLJSo 

Wideawake's "Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoPb_KS39u8&feature=related

Kiawah Island Marathon - http://www.kiawahresort.com/recreation/marathon/

StandUp2 Cancer (Fri, 9/5 @ 8pm - all networks)- http://www.standup2cancer.org/