Hi Everyone!

Lisa Kreissler here with GrandMasters. I’m very pleased to announce that GrandMasters is a proud sponsor of the 2008 Swedish SummeRun event to be held here in Seattle, Washington on July 27th.

You are probably visiting this web page because you’ve heard about a good friend of mine who has truly inspired me. Her name is MaryAnne Kobylka. She is *Mom* to David (age 10) and Alex (age 8). She is *Wife* to Richard Kobylka, my business partner (and my good friend too!) at GrandMasters. She is *Daughter* to Mary, *Sister* to Brian and *Friend* to so many people here in the Northwest as well as throughout the country and even throughout the world. But to me, MaryAnne is *Inspiration*.

MaryAnne is a former Microsoftee who retired 10+ years ago to start a family and to be a stay-at-home mom. She’s a practical person and a humble person, with no pretense and no airs. Her smile lights up a room instantly and her laugh just brings so much joy. She is beautiful … and she is the real thing.

Five (5) years ago, MaryAnne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She’s had several (5) surgeries and numerous (50) treatments of chemo and she continues to be a survivor. Over these years, she’s held her head high, has been a pillar of strength for her boys, and has been a shining example for moms like me. And over these years, MaryAnne has also been very active with raising funds for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research – www.marsharivkin.org. She has told me how fund raising for this organization has given her a new purpose in life, and another great reason to continue fighting the disease.

This year MaryAnne has been named the 2008 SummeRun Survivor Honoree. Since 1993, the Swedish SummeRun has raised over $3 million for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. Ovarian cancer, the most deadly female reproductive cancer, affects thousands of women and their families. This year in the United States alone, it’s estimated that 21,650 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, many with late stage cancer that has already spread. When caught early, more than 90 percent of women with ovarian cancer survive. The Marsha Rivkin Center is aggressively working to improve treatment, early detection and prevention of this disease. Every dollar raised through the Swedish SummeRun will support this important work.

I am no longer sitting on the sidelines. I’ll be walking right beside MaryAnne for this event. And my goal is to raise $15,000 for *Team MaryAnne!* and for this very important research. In MaryAnne’s words:

“I accept the fact that I cannot control how I die, but I can control how I live. For me, spending time with family and friends, and raising funds for cancer research is part of living well.”

“This money is being put to great use by researchers selected by the Marsha Rivkin Center. These researchers are making progress in diagnosing this disease, treating it, and curing it. Lives are being saved.”

“People with recurrent ovarian cancer have new chemos available to them to prolong their lives. More kids will have moms around and some kids may never have to learn to fear the word cancer. Wouldn’t that be great?”

Indeed it would. It would be awesome!

Losing someone too early to cancer is so devastating, especially when it’s your Mom. If you can, please help with a donation and/or join my team and be a walker or runner … For our Moms, Wives, Daughters, Sisters, Friends … and for those who truly inspire us. :)

For every dollar you all donate, my husband Allen and I will match it 100% up to $5,000. For every dollar that we donate, Allen’s employer will match 100% up to $5,000. So what this means is that for every dollar you donate to this great cause, up to three dollars will be donated to the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. Now that is a darn good ROI. You gotta love it! :) And you’ll indeed be making a difference.

Thank you for considering. I appreciate it and MaryAnne does too.

Lisa

P.S. We have some fun drawings planned for this year’s SummeRun event:

• First – We will be doing a drawing for a 1 week stay at an oceanfront condo in Ocean Shores, Washington!
  • For every $150.00 that you donate, your name will be entered into a drawing for a one week stay with your friends and family at an oceanfront condominium in Ocean Shores, Washington.
  • Up to $1,000 will also be included for travel expenses (i.e. airfare, rental car, mileage reimbursement).
  • Total package value:  $2,000.00.
  • Click here for pictures and descriptions of the Ocean Shores condo.
  • Drawing will take place at the GrandMasters booth at the SummeRun after the event. You do not need to be present to win.
• Second: MaryAnne and Richard are doing a drawing for a $555 gift to celebrate MaryAnne’s “Alive for 5” theme for this SummeRun event.
  • If you donate (any amount) within the first 5 days of the launch of our fundraising efforts (June 11th - June 15th), your name will be entered into a drawing to win a $555 gift of your choice.
  • MaryAnne’s Rules:

    “The $555 is to be used however you see fit – but must be a celebration of life. Take a trip, buy some wine, get a new outfit, have a great dinner…. Make a memory. Tell me about it. How did you celebrate? My only request is that you not donate it back to the Marsha Rivkin Center – but instead you use it to do something very special to enjoy your life!”

To Donate Online – Click Here - Lisa’s SummeRun Website.

To Send a Donation via Check:

If you wish to make a donation via check, please make the check out as follows:

Swedish SummerRun

And send it to me at GrandMasters address as follows:

Lisa Kreissler
GrandMasters, LLC
1510 140th Avenue NE, Ste 202
Bellevue, WA 98005

The Swedish SummeRun is run through the Swedish Foundation and is a 501-c-3 organization.

To Learn More about Mary Anne – Mary Anne’s SummeRun Website.