This is an opportunity to pay forward the efforts that paved the way for me to have cutting edge treatment choices, to celebrate the gratitude I have for the swell of support provided to me and my family, to carry a torch of hope for those of us still searching for curative options by raising funds and awareness for blood cancers in a significant way. Although blood cancer hits close to home for us, this campaign is not only about me. It is about saving lives of the 1.2 million people who are currently living with or in remission from blood cancer today. It is about working toward the day where no other family has to go through what we have. It is about the hope for more time with our loved ones. It is about curing blood cancer. And I cannot do that without your help, your determination, and your donation. Someday is today!
The LLS is the worlds largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. More than 40% of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA since 2000 were first approved for blood cancer patients. LLS supported 15 of 18 FDA approved treatments in 2017. Approximately every 3 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. An estimated total of 172,910 people in the US were diagnosed with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma in 2017. Approximately every 9 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer. We need to do better.
You can donate NOW via this website or write a check to the LLS and mail it directly to their office or send it to me.**Please be sure to put Scott Olmsted in the memo so that your contribution goes to my campaign**
Recently, I accepted my nomination to run for Man of the Year through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). I have assembled Team Hope and my HOPE Hustlers and I are so ready and excited to embark on this 10 week campaign.
As many of you know, in January of 2011 I was diagnosed with blood cancer. I was a 36 year old father of two wonderful young girls, Olivia (3) and Nora (almost 1), and along with my wife Michelle our young family was faced with the devastating reality of a terminal diagnosis.
I spent 2011 battling Stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma. It was a long, hard fought battle that included 7 rounds of varying chemotherapy mixed with many blood transfusions, bone marrow biopsies, ct scans, PICC lines, a 10 gram of fat daily diet, routine draining of my lung cavity, emergency surgery for a deflated lung, and endless amounts of antibiotic and other medications, all of which eventually prepared me for Stem Cell Transplant on August 17, 2011, my Re-BirthDay! I spent the autumn in full recovery mode, in December I had a follow up scan and was declared in Complete Remission!
During my battle, I was surrounded by such an amazing swell of support from my family, friends, nurses, doctors, and surprising strangers. This support buoyed my family and I through the darkest days and has shone brilliantly in the celebration of Victory.
In the spring of 2012 I found an outlet for my need to show gratitude for the support we received as well as pay forward the generosity of those who paved the way for the care options afforded to me. I joined the LLS Team in Training program, participating in endurance races while fundraising and advocating for the mission.
For seven years I enjoyed my remission to its fullest, immersing myself in the growth of my family and continuing advocacy and fundraising with LLS Team in Training. In 2018 the cancer returned, this time in the form of a localized lump in my calf. We caught it early enough and were able to attack it with localized radiation treatment, which returned me to remission. This was a reminder of the stark reality of my diagnosis and appreciation of the time I have been granted. I joined the LLS Board of Trustees and accepted my nomination for Man of the Year that fall.
I want to do everything in my power to work toward the day when no family has to go through what we have gone through. So no family has to live in constant fear of their loved one relapsing. So no family has to watch their loved one die. Through my determination to beat blood cancers, and with your help, I hope to give others the opportunity to win in their battle. This campaign is not just about me, or even winning – it is about bettering the lives of those who are in treatment. It is about saving lives of those who are yet to be diagnosed. It is about finding a cure for blood cancers.
Thank you for your contribution to me and Team Hope in the campaign to make someday today.
