First donation

Today as I was working out at the gym, I received an email on my iPhone telling me that I received a donation to my Team in Training site. It is the first donation. So it is very encouraging.  
The donors are my dear friends in Germany, Heinz and Witha Lautenschlager. We have been friends for almost 40 years. In the mid 70's Heinz and Witha did a teacher exchange with the German teacher at the school where Frank taught. We had so much in common that we soon became good friends. Over the years we have gone back and forth to Germany renewing our friendship.
Witha has been following my blog. She called last week because my story moved her.
I have never been one to try to raise money for anything. In fact Im reluctant to do it. But my experience with Lymphoma has changed my mind. This is one cause I must get behind. The money that has been donated over the years has made the lifesaving research possible. This very research saved my life and made the chemotherapy tolerable. I feel that I must to pay it forward, just as someone paid it forward for me.
Im going to try to find ways to do this that will not put pressure on friends or family. I believe the money will flow in naturally, as long as enough people know what is needed and why. I hope my friends who are reading this blog will pass it on to others. 
You can keep track of my progress by watching the Team in Training widget to the right of the blog entries.