Team Tuma ❖ LIVESTRONG

The numbers continue to grow. Thousands are diagnosed annually. No one is prepared to hear the haunting word…cancer.

Two months ago, my friend’s wife, Vivien, sat in a doctor’s office awaiting the results of a biopsy. She felt no pain. There was only a small lump on the side of her neck.

The doctor was somber as he slowly reached for a chair and sat down. Looking at his paperwork, he began, “I’m sorry to inform you that you have Stage IV, non-Hodgkin’s follicular lymphoma. In other words, you have cancer of the immune system, and it has spread throughout your bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and you have tumors in your abdomen and behind your left eye.”

Life changed that very moment. The battle began.

I met Dennis at UCLA during the 1980s. He holds an important place in my life, as he was the friend that introduced me to the God of the Bible. My life changed at that very moment, and the tide of the spiritual war over my life turned. Helping others know God through Jesus Christ has been Dennis and Vivien’s mission for decades now. Unexpectedly, God

Sarah, Spencer, Savannah, Vivien, Sophia, Sterling, Skyler, Dennis

has them on a detour now.

Cancer is a disease that cannot be defeated apart from a team. I’d like to invite you to be a part of that team: Team Tuma. Vivien has a hard road in front of her. She is a wife of nineteen years, mother of six young children, and a devout follower of Christ. You can read her ongoing story at their web site, http://caringbridge.org/visit/teamtuma/. You will be inspired by their lives.

Even as cancer rages through her body, Dennis and Vivien continue to impact lives by sharing and professing their faith in God. Hundreds now follow their daily journal finding hope and direction through their struggle.

I’m writing to ask for your help. As some of you may already know, I’ve

been training for several months now for the LIVESTRONG Challenge benefit bike ride in Austin, Texas taking place October 24-25, 2009. Sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, this organization is dedicated to cancer research, treatment, and advocacy. I’ve dedicated all my physical training, races this summer, and the ride in October to Team Tuma. In addition to raising money for the ride, I’m also helping to raise money for a benevolence fund to help offset the Tumas’ enormous medical costs not covered by medical insurance.

Please prayerfully consider giving to

Gerry competing in the Solana Beach Triathlon

the LIVESTRONG/Team Tuma fund. I’m looking for people to give matching funds to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Team Tuma. All donations are tax deductible. Your partnership will not only help others overcome their fight against cancer, but also help Vivien finance her unique challenge with Stage IV cancer. Give to one or both causes. If you can only afford to give to one cause, please give to the Team Tuma fund; see Option 2 below.

To join the team, please make two contributions by:

1 - Donating online to LIVESTRONG Challenge - Lance Armstrong Foundation Events at http://austin09.livestrong.org/gerry

2 - Writing a check payable to: Bay Marin Community Church Benevolence Fund (write a check with Tuma on the memo line)

Please mail the check for Team Tuma to:

Bay Marin Community Church
P.O. Box K
San Rafael, CA 94913

All gifts to Team Tuma will remain anonymous. If you would like to inform Vivien and Dennis about your specific gift, please email them at teamtuma@gmail.com.

I greatly appreciate your partnership with many thanks in advance.

Gerry De Ocampo
LIVESTRONG Team Captain