Be relentless - for Daniel

I'm not a person who appreciates those tear-jerker appeals asking people to send heaps of greeting cards to a cancer-stricken child who is trying to break a world record. (That particular world record has been retired, by the way.) I'm not heartless, but I will admit to being somewhat jaded and skeptical. Anyhow, this is not one of those appeals.

I was shocked to learn that my friend's three-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia last week. Daniel is currently undergoing his first round of chemotherapy and so far he is responding well. I only speak to Daniel's mom once or twice a year, and briefly at that, but she reached out to a lot of old and now-distant friends when she e-mailed us her scary news. Since we're not close, I was struggling to think of what I could do for her beyond sending a message of support.

I have decided to purchase some "Relentless Red" wristbands to support leukemia and lymphoma research, and I'll be asking friends to wear them with Daniel in mind. The wristbands are sold through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is "the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families." Sounds like a worthwhile cause, doesn't it?