***UPDATE***
9/6/12 - There is an anonymous donor who has agreed to match $10,000 if we can raise the first $10,000 of this fundraiser. Anyone and everyone, if you can help out wherever you can, it would really help CJ and his family.
Our friend CJ was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (cancer within the bone marrow) at the age of 24. He is currently at a hospital to undergo aggressive Chemotherapy Treatments where his insurance is considered out of network. The estimated cost may be well over $30,000 out of pocket for the initial chemotherapy treatmentsand some of the procedures aren't covered.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapid cancer that starts inside bone marrow. Persons with this type of cancer have abnormal cells inside their bone marrow. The cells grow very fast, and replace healthy blood cells. The bone marrow, which helps the body fight infections, eventually stops working correctly. Persons with AML become more prone to infections and have an increased risk for bleeding as the numbers of healthy blood cells decrease.
CJ comes from a large family of a loving mom and dad, and a total of 9 brothers and sisters. The Peterson family has given so much to people unconditionally and we would like to start a fundraiser for CJ and his family to help offset some of the costs of the medical treatments and medical expenses. It would be nice for his mom to fly to Salt Lake City to visit CJ since mom and dad lives in Chicago.
Brad and David are great friends with CJ, and our friendship started over the sport of Triathlons. David originally didn't have any idea how to swim, CJ was an athlete that excelled in the sport of Triathlons and was able to teach David how to swim. This eventually lead to CJ Finishing the St. George Ironman in 2011 and David finishing three 140.6 mile Ironman Triathlons including last year's 2011 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Brad and David have decided to race in November at Ironman Florida 2012 in honor of CJ and his battle to beat Acute Myeloid Leukemia. We hope to inspire friends, family and individuals around the world to give towards CJ's initial medical treatments of chemotherapy through his love of Triathlons.
Thank you everyone if you can be of any help.
