Why marathonwithleukemia.org?

My name is Phillip Fields, born 1947.  I am a professor of Anatomy at the University of South Alabama College of
Medicine where I teach Human Anatomy to MD, PA and PT students.  My life consists of God, teaching, and running
marathons.  In 2007, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).  I have since begun a quest to
complete a marathon in each state.  This website was begun in January 2011 as a way to raise funds for Nemours in the
research and treatment of pediatric cancer.  The site will be updated constantly with new photos from new marathons.  I
have also begun a blog http://marathonwithleukemia.blogspot.com/ for cancer patients who want to share their
experiences.

MARATHON COUNTDOWN (May 2012):  44 States in 38 Months (Stopping to let fractured sacrum heal)

                                                          Click on My Story for more.
                                                            Why Donate to Nemours?

For the first year and half, I kept my diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) a private matter.  Then at the
Prairie Fire Marathon in Wichita, Kansas, the race director wanted me to provide a story for the local paper.  While
staying at the host hotel for the marathon, I received a phone call from an “Angel”.  A lady by the name of Melanie found
where I was staying and called me.  She said she read the article and was inspired by the fact that I continued to run
marathons even though I have leukemia.  She then described how her young daughter was undergoing chemotherapy
for leukemia.  Unfortunately, I did not get her full name but she is the one who inspired me to develop this website and to
support Nemours, a children’s health system that treats children with cancer at their locations in Delaware and
Florida.  After my roller coaster ride of clinical test, diagnosis of leukemia, second opinions, uncertainty of the effects of
chemotherapy or its ability to properly treat CLL, I cannot imagine what a child must go through during a similar
experience.  It is one thing to have had a great life and then be diagnosed with cancer, but a totally different situation for
a young child with very little knowledge of what cancer is about and with his or her whole life ahead of them.

After looking at various organizations that treat children with cancer, I liked what I read about Nemours.  Through his will,
founder Alfred I. duPont established a Testamentary Trust with specific instructions to create a charitable organization
called Nemours (named for his family’s homeland in France) primarily devoted to providing health care services to
children.  Nemours provides an integrated system of care which includes hospital- and clinic-based specialty care,
primary care, prevention, research, and medical education designed to improve the lives of children and families.  In
addition to clinical treatment, Nemours provides social support for both the children and their family that is designed to
address psychosocial and emotional needs.  If desired, Nemours makes available a pastoral care staff and volunteers
who are trained to respect the religious values of families without imposing any particular beliefs or values.   Lastly,
Nemours provides financial assistance for families that do not have insurance to cover treatment expenses.

Personally, I cannot think of a better charity than one that provides this type of comprehensive care to children with
cancer.  This is why I have made the first Platinum donation in memory of my Mother.  All donations given through my
website go directly to Nemours for the treatment of children with cancer.  If everyone who viewed this site
donated just $5-10 the donations would quickly add up.

For the complete story about Nemours, go to http://www.nemours.org/welcome.html
                        
                                  NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL!