Letter

August 30, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Eleven months ago, I ran my first half marathon, about the longest distance I had ever run. I have run a total of five half marathons. Less than fifty days from now, I will be crossing the finish line of the Duke City Marathon in Albuquerque, New Mexico after having run 26.2 miles in the course of about four and a half to five hours.
I am raising funds for the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation. With my help, the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation will raise thousands of dollars this year.
The New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation was formed in 2002 by the physicians of New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants, Ltd. (NMOHC) to help cancer patients with unmet needs, and to provide patients and medical staff with accurate information about cancer.
The physicians of NMOHC working at New Mexico Cancer Center recognized that many of their patients’ needs are not met by insurance coverage. A diagnosis of cancer often means the loss of a job. Sometimes the spouse must also stop work in order to care for his or her loved one. This poses a significant hardship for cancer patients and their families. Insurance covers some of the medical expenses but co-pays and deductibles often take the family savings very quickly. The physicians of NMOHC have seen many patients having to choose between paying for rent, child care or food, or paying for medications. We have traditionally assisted patients with procuring free chemotherapy medications and other medicines, but we have not ever been able to do anything about their ongoing living expenses such as rent, utilities, child care or transportation.
For that reason, NMOHC physicians established the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation as a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping patients meet their other expenses. The Foundation's primary mission is to use the money donated to it to provide financial assistance for New Mexico Cancer Center patients. Funds granted by the Foundation are NOT used for medical expenses, insurance co-payments or account payments at New Mexico Cancer Center/New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants, Ltd.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." In that spirit, I have set a goal of raising $750.00 for the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation. I invite you to join me in this effort by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution to the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation. ANY amount would be appreciated, but please consider contributing $1-5 for every mile I run.

Contact me to donate.

Warmest wishes, and my sincere appreciation,

Michael Nelson