2007 Leukemia Cup T-Shirt Features Art by Local Lymphoma Survivor
Regatta weekend - Sept. 14-16 - on White Bear Lake is a celebration by sailors
and non-sailors, alike, who are raising funds and awareness for
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Craig Witthaus, of White Bear Lake, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma November, 2000. His wife, Peggy, recalls that the bleak news hit her hard, “It was unexpected and frightening. I realized then that fear can be truly cold.” What ultimately banished that fear was Craig’s fighting, resolute attitude- all throughout the initial surgery, the subsequent intensive chemotherapy and painful radiation. Peggy says, “He was a role model for how to meet and beat a monumental challenge.” Craig says, “As of May 2006, I was given the very best news from Dr. Peterson of University of Minnesota Hospitals - I am now a completely cured cancer-patient! ...If it can happen to me in 2006, we can help complete recoveries happen to others more often, and more easily, as we move into the future.” According to the latest statistics from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S., and the five-year relative survival rate for the NHL patients rose from 48 percent in the 1975 to 63 percent in 2002.

Witthaus was 2004 L-Cup Patient Honoree
The Witthauses first became active volunteers for the Society in 2004, when the first annual Minnesota L-Cup Regatta was being planned for White Bear Lake. It was a natural fit since both are avid sailors - members of the Black Bear Yacht Racing Association and the White Bear Yacht Club. Craig, in fact, was the 2004 Patient Honoree for the L-Cup, representative of the many patients who have benefited from the Society’s programs. Along with fellow BBYRA and WBYC members, the Witthauses remain committed to ‘growing’ the local fundraiser. This 2nd year’s ‘special edition’ t-shirt will feature Craig’s art, and all proceeds will benefit the Society. The 2007 Patient Honoree is Riley Chase of St. Paul, MN. Craig, a human resources consultant and a college professor in the business school at Concordia University, says, “Painting is presently a sideline for me. Although, I was artistic at a young age and serious about it through high school and the first years of college. The past six years, I’ve re-immersed myself in oil painting, and I also use watercolors. Occasionally, I work on sculptural pieces.”

Craig Witthaus, 2004 Patient Honoree, standing next to his new painting used on the L-Cup 2007 t-shirt.

Craig’s painting used on the L-Cup 2006 t-shirt struck a more tranquil chord with sailors.

2007 Patient Honoree Meet Riley Chase of St. Paul (Letter written by Kari Chase, Riley’s mother) Riley was diagnosed in February 2000; he was 2 1/2 years old. We are eternally grateful to St. Paul Early Childhood Family Education. We were attending a class there, and each teacher commented on Riley’s yellow color. Brian, Riley’s father, and I did not think much of it. After all, we do live in Minnesota, and everyone looks different in February ... right? They called us the next day and recommended that we have his blood tested, thinking he was anemic. To our frightening surprise, not only was he anemic, but he was diagnosed with leukemia. On that day, his hemoglobin was 3.8 -- a healthy person ranges between 12 and 15. We consider ourselves blessed by these kind angels sending us for medical attention. Within days, a port was placed in Riley’s little chest, and he began his fight against cancer. We are so proud of him and all that he has already championed in his life. He can say, with great pride, “I am a cancer survivor.” As his mother, hearing those words from my nine-year-olds mouth brings tears of joy to me each time he makes that statement. We are honored to be selected as a family to work with the Leukemia Cup Regatta.

Plan to attend the L-Cup Regatta, September 14-16, White Bear Lake, MN.
Visit www.leukemiacup.org/mn for more information. See ad on pg 6.
 

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