Need a Last-minute Tax Deduction?

If you're looking for a way to pay less income tax in 2006 and put money toward a good cause, I've got just the thing for you! Why not join the fight against cancer and give to a great non-profit organization? I know just the organization that is literally running against cancer. It's called Joggin’ for the Noggin and was started by two friends of mine that I met while working at Aventail Corporation in Seattle in the late 90's. Allow me to tell you their story.

In Seattle I became friends with these two lively people from Canada – Kim and Stephen – whose wonderful sense of humor and spirit of adventure made me fall in love with Canadians. (To this day I haven't met a Canadian that didn't become an instant friend.)

Anyway, Kim's young sister Holly is a veterinary technician who lives in New York City. Less than two years ago, when Holly was just 24 years old, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. I didn't learn about it until later, in November of 2005 when I found out that Kim and Stephen were coming to NYC (where I lived at the time) from their Colorado home to run the marathon. Holly's tumor was the size of an egg and had to be removed immediately. She endured not only that major surgery, but months of sickening radiation treatments and chemotherapy, a 30+-pound weight loss, and other side effects. You think, "What a terrible thing to happen to such a young person." A terrible experience, indeed.

But the beauty of this tragedy is how Holly's family literally ran to her aid. The outpouring of love and support that I saw from afar touched my heart.

Not long after they learned of the cancer that had stricken Holly, Kim and Stephen started up Joggin’ for the Noggin, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises funds for brain cancer charities through long-distance running events. And that's how they came to run the marathon last year, with Holly watching from bleachers at the 17-mile post.

It's easy to give to this organization online using a credit card or PayPal account. Or you can mail a check to:

Joggin' for the Noggin
8423 Thunderhead Drive
Boulder, CO 80302

The good thing is that the money you send goes to Sloan-Kettering for cancer research, and donations of $26 or more earn you a Joggin' for the Noggin water bottle. :)

Stephen and Kim's 2006 Christmas letter says that Holly is doing great. She is still in physical therapy getting her leg functionality back after the impact of eight rounds of chemo on her leg muscles. See Holly's blog at http://hollysfightagainstbraincancer.blogspot.com/. Kim, Stephen, and Holly thank you for your help.

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year!