KK's LLS Memory Train Hits the Tracks

The wheels are greased and the train is ready to leave the station. All aboard!!
“KK’s LLS Memory Train”will hit the track on March 11, 2010, as part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year, an eight-
week, competitive, national campaign to raise as much money as possible for a worthy cause. The top fundraisers will be deemed“Man & Woman of the Year.”
I am honored to be one of 13 Capital Region candidates – but I can’t drive the train alone. I need your support to make this a virtual cross-country trip, raising BIG
dollars for blood cancer research.
Blood cancer changed my life on April 13, 2009. I rushed to the hospital to support my best friend’s husband as he underwent tests for severe leg pain. A tumor was
detected and the original diagnosis was a very curable form of lymphoma. Excellent news! But the joy was short-lived. One month later, the curable form of lymphoma
became stage IV lymphoma. On September 8th, I watched Ted take his last breath in this world. I will never forget that moment.
“KK’s LLS Memory Train”is riding in memory of Ted DiPonzio, who lived large, always reminding us to “live with passion and with purpose.”
I also have living inspiration to raise money for a cure – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Boy & Girl of the Year, Jacob Kaminskiand
Kassidy Krenzer.
Jacob had finished Pre-K when he was diagnosed in 2004 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In 2007, he was cancer free. It didn’t last. One year later, Jacob was back
in the cancer ward and now spends every Friday in chemotherapy, and every 12 weeks as a weekend inpatient at Albany Med, with hopes that he will soon return to
school full time again.
Just before she started first grade, Kassidy was also diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She spent the next two years in and out of hospitals for treatment.
Within six months, the cancer returned and a bone marrow transplant was Kassidy’s best chance for survival. The side effects of the transplant have been many: graft-
versus-host disease, congestive heart failure, two pericardial windows inserted, and fluid on her heart and lungs which required draining. Today, Kassidy is thrilled and
grateful to be attending middle school with her friends.
My campaign chairs are my two best friends – Ted’s widow, Natalie Sillery, and Beth Alexander. They are my lead conductors on “KK’s LLS Memory Train”
and will coordinate the efforts of an incredibly dedicated committee who make up “Team KK.”
You can support “Team KK”a multitude of ways.
• Attend our fabulous events detailed on the next page. Starting March 11th, tickets for the fashion shows will be available at Saratoga Trunk (493 Broadway, Saratoga
Springs – 584-3543). Reservations can also be made at www.mwoy.org/uny. Please specify which event you plan to attend in the note section.
• Fan my Facebookpage to keep tabs on the cross-country ride, from Capital Region events to the efforts of virtual conductors in New York City, Los Angeles, North
Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
• Vote for me! Starting March 11th, visit www.mwoy.org/uny and click on my photo. Every vote is $1, but I urge you to make yours count even more. Your $25
donation (or more!) will make a difference.
• Send me your check for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (Kristina Krawchuk, c/o KKIMedia, 409 Aintree Court, Ballston Spa, NY 12020)
Thank you for your time and support. I look forward to having you on board “KK’s LLS Memory Train”as we ride with passion and with purpose on our journey
for a cure!
Wishing you and yours a healthy tomorrow,
Kristina Krawchuk • 2010 LLS Woman of the Year Candidate
KK Image Media • kkimedia@gmail.com