Hello Everyone,

Welcome back to another year of Great Strides! Our awesome team, 'Team Rachel's Hope', grew to include 88 walkers last year. This was our largest team ever and we raised $24,219 !!! We're hoping to push that bar even higher this year. Sure hope you can join us!

GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. This year, our team will participate in the GREAT STRIDES WALK at CHESAPEAKE CITY PARK on SATURDAY, MAY 2. Registration starts at 9:30am and the walk begins at 10:00. Lunch will be served following the walk.

As you know, my eleven-year old daughter, Rachel Hope VanLandingham (see picture from dance recital) has cystic fibrosis and this is a personal battle for Rachel and our family. We are determined to do absolutely everything we can to fund the research that will provide better treatments to enhance the quality of her life, as well as to support efforts aimed at finding a cure. We hope that you will join us in helping Rachel and everyone affected by cystic fibrosis!

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in improving the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org . PLEASE take a few minutes to visit this website. I'll think you'll be amazed and you'll want to be a part of it all.

If you're a returning walker or are joining us for the first time, welcome to the team! Please register by clicking on "Join My Team" at the top of this page. I have walk brochures for anyone who needs one, and I also encourage you to consider doing an online campaign this year. The CF Foundation has made fund-raising so easy! Even if you're unable to attend Great Strides, but would like to do an online campaign, it's an awesome way to get sponsorship without making anyone feel uncomfortable. Simply forward this letter (or one of your own) to everyone on your email list and anyone else you are considering asking for sponsorship. All you do is click on "Send Page to Others", at the top of this page. Those who wish to sponsor you, or our team, can either contact you directly or pay with a credit card online. How easy is that?! Good luck, and see you in May.

If you're unable to walk this year, or decide that online fund-raising just isn't your thing, you are still a vital part of our team. The financial support from friends and family is what makes our team effort successful. Making a donation is easy and secure! Just click on "Click to Donate" at the top of this page to make a donation that will be credited to Rachel's team. Or, if you'd prefer, just put a check made out to the CF Foundation in the mail. You can send it directly to me at: 805 Forest Lakes Drive; Chesapeake, VA 23322. Any amount you can contribute is greatly appreciated and is also tax-deductible! Together, we can make a difference!

Appreciatively,

Susan VanLandingham, Team Leader - "Rachel's Hope" Team; Email: HomesBySusan@cox.net; Phone: 757-450-7574