Saturday, June 11, 2005

Lance Armstrong Foundation Website

You may have noticed that the www.laf.org website is down for maintenance this weekend. They are merging the LAF website with their www.livestrong.org website (a resource for cancer survivors). The laf.org url is going away and the new site will be www.livestrong.org

My donation link was down earlier today, but it is back up and working.

Together we have currently raised $2,140! Getting closer to my goal of $7500 for 2005.

Tomorrow we begin packing for the trip to Indy! I can't wait to get this surgery done and get this tumor out of my body. The pain continues to get worse (I pushed myself a lot on the DC trip), and I'll feel better mentally knowing that it is no longer in me.

LIVESTRONG

Andrew

--Don't forget to wear yellow on Wednesday, and if you send me a digital picture wearing yellow, I'll post it on my blog.

Friday, June 10, 2005


One more Molenda wearing yellow! My youngest, Evan Josef. Posted by Hello

Thursday, June 09, 2005

LiveStrong Day Follow Up

I was able to meet with Senator Jim Inhofe, Representative John Sullivan, and a staff member to Senator Tom Coburn. I was thrilled to be part of the legislative process. This was a side of our government that I have never been exposed to before.

Why were we in DC?

There were three "asks" as they call them that we were requesting from the congressmen.

#1 - To support the Bush Administration's Goal of eliminating cancer death and suffering by 2015

#2 - To increase funding for the CDC's Comprehensive Cancer Control Program by $10 Million in FY 2006

#3 - To support $2 million for the CDC-LAF National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center in FY 2006

What were the results?

Senator Inhofe agreed to sign the 2015 letter and to review the information I provided him on the funding requests. He struck me as a very genuine man. The most touching part of my visit in D.C. was when he prayed with Amy and me for my victory over cancer.

Congressman Sullivan agreed to sign the 2015 letter and to review the information as well. He was sincerely interested in my story and I feel that he took my words to heart.

Senator Coburn's staffer, Derek, wasn't able to promise that the Senator would sign the letter, however I am confident that he will once they review the information I provided. I also learned that Senator Coburn is a two time cancer survivor. I look forward to meeting with him to discuss these issues when he is in Tulsa.

I plan to stay in communication with all three of them as my cancer advocacy continues. I hope to be their source for all cancer survivorship issues. The experience was wonderful, I feel stronger and ready to face my surgery next week.

Today I was interviewed by Chera Kimiko with FOX-23 news. We discussed my cancer story and the events of LiveStrong Day. The interview should air either Monday the 13th or the 20th on the 9:00pm news. Once they confirm the date, I'll let everyone know.

Here's a photo of my brother, Dan, and his co-workers at the NLRB office in Detroit. I love the picture, he bribed them all to wear yellow in my honor by bringing in bagels. Dan is in the first row, first person on the left. Posted by Hello

Derek Sparks, a staff member of Sen. Coburn's after our meeting. Posted by Hello

Sen. Inhofe, Amy and I after our meeting.  Posted by Hello

Taking a break between meetings, it was very hot and humid in DC yesterday. Posted by Hello

My oldest son, Liam, wore his favorite yellow cap and LiveStrong shirt for LiveStrong day! You can also see my little girl, Alena in the background. Posted by Hello

Tuesday, June 07, 2005


Mr. Molenda goes to Washington Posted by Hello

Amy and I by the Capitol reflecting pool Posted by Hello

Our Hotel, the Capitol is 3 blocks away Posted by Hello

This is a shot of the hotel and the pub that is on the street level. It is an all Irish hotel! We had an Irish country breakfast this morning, it was wonderful. Posted by Hello

Advocate Training

Amy and I went through the advocate training in preparation for LiveStrong Day tomorrow. It was very informative, learning tips on how to talk to congressional members to get legislation backed by your representatives. The best part was getting to meet people from the cancer community that I have known via e-mail. We both enjoyed the day. Amy is going to go with me to visit with the Oklahoma congressmen since I'm the only advocate from Oklahoma.

I'll follow up this post with some pictures from the day.


LIVESTRONG

Andrew

Sunday, June 05, 2005

National Cancer Survivors Day

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day! Unfortunately I didn't know it until this evening. I've been focused on LiveStrong Day this Wednesday.

To all my fellow survivors, I'm thinking of you and wishing you well. I'll have all of you in mind while I'm in DC this week.

LiveStrong,

Andrew