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Melissa's Challenge
September 1, 2004
Dear Friends and Family,
On Sunday, July 24, 2005, I am going to set out to achieve the greatest
athletic goal of my life by competing in the 7th annual USA
Ironman Triathlon in Lake Placid, New York. In my efforts to complete
this 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 marathon run in 17 hours,
I am also running this race in honor of my father, who has Von Hippel-Lindau
(VHL) disease. My goal is to raise money for VHL research so that a cure
can soon be found.
VHL is a genetic multi-system disorder characterized by the abnormal
growth of tumors in certain parts of the body. VHL occurs in every ethnic
group everywhere in the world. About one in 32,000 people in the world
has VHL. My dad first became aware that something was wrong in 1955 when
floaters showed up in his eyes. In 1963 the problem was diagnosed as VHL.
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Click to see Press coverage
Melissa Gokey-Thomas
Triathlete
Janus Capital Challenge Participant
with her father, Todd Gokey
photo by Roger Rosselli, Jr., of the Post Journal
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From 1963 until 1986 he underwent numerous surgeries treating
the eyes. Unfortunately in 1986 one of the eyes had to be removed. CT's
and MRI's revealed that my dad had many other tumors in his body including
his brain, spinal cord and cancer in his kidneys. My father has been through
several surgeries over the years including 4 brain tumor surgeries and
3 kidney surgeries. Throughout his battle with VHL he has remained more
positive than one can imagine. My dad always looks at the glass as half
full. He exercises everyday, follows a strict diet, and has an amazing
outlook on life. He has out-survived what doctors had told him in the
past because of his sheer determination. He is my inspiration behind the
Ironman.
Please support my dream of crossing the finish line of the Ironman Triathlon
by helping me raise money for VHL research. Even the smallest donation
will get me closer to my goal of $100,000. You can donate on line at http://www.vhl.org/ironwoman/.
Thank you for your support.
Flash Update!
The Janus Capital Group has challenged the athletes! The Janus
Fund will contribute additional money to the top 30 fundraisers
in the Lake Placid Triathlon. If I am the top fundraiser, the Janus
Fund will contribute $10,000 to VHL research!
I am striving to meet the Janus Challenge! I need your help to
do it!
Please help raise money for VHL! Together, we can meet this challenge!
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Melissa with her parents, Todd and Mary |
For more information about VHL, please contact 1-800-767-4VHL in the
U.S. and Canada, or our E-mail account
info@vhl.org anywhere in the world, and this website http://www.vhl.org.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gokey-Thomas |
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