Mark's DC Man of the Year Blog

I'm Back!

2008-06-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

So much going on! The Gala is in one week and we're all gearing up for the culmination of 10 weeks of fun and hard work. But before we get to June 14, we have big news for June 12: Lindsey Threlkeld and I have joined together to host the DC Date Auction! All the details are here: http://dcdateauction.blogspot.com

Beyond this, we had a very successful happy hour last Thursday and a number of great donations that have come in. Also, I picked the completed quilt today! I'll post pictures soon...

Auction Item Update

2008-05-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

Looking to have a screen door replaced? Have a leaky faucet?

Thanks to Mike Holmes of Holmes Handyman Services, you can now bid on a "Handyman for a Day" at the June 14 Grand Finale Gala!

For more information about Holmes Handyman Services: http://www.holmeshandymanservices.com/

Happy Hour Tonight!

2008-05-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day here in DC, why not come out for a drink?

What: All Night Happy Hour
Where: Bottom Line, 1716 Eye St. NW, near the Farragut West Metro
When: 6pm-close
Cost: $10 cover, includes happy hour specials all night long!

$3 domestic drafts
$3 rail drinks
$3 wine
$4 pint rail drinks

See all of you out tonight!

Campaign Update

2008-05-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

This was a busy week! Some of the results:

Platinum Lifestyle Management has donated one month of professional services as an auction item! Learn more about Platinum here: http://www.platinumlm.com/
Georgetown University raised $521 towards the campaign by selling Jello shots at an Evening MBA party...that's a lot of Jello :)
Date Auction has been confirmed...June 12. Location TBD.
As of this morning I am $689 short of my midpoint goal. Thanks to everyone who has contributed! To help push me over my goal, please click here

Quilt is Complete!

2008-05-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Please see the photos below:

Auction Items

2008-05-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

Included in the June 14th Gala are auction items that will contribute to my campaign. Among the exciting auction items are the quilt (of course!), a take-home chef, and the jersey below:

I am, however, still short a few auction items...looking for a way to contribute? I am currently looking for:

A contact at EuroMotorcars of Bethesda
A professional photographer
A handyman

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

America's Polo Cup Tickets Sold Out!

2008-05-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for the America's Polo Cup tomorrow in Leesburg, VA. Those who purchased tickets will be in a VIP Box along the rail for the polo match, concerts, fireworks, etc. I will post pictures from the event here when they are available!

www.americaspolocup.com

Quilt Update

2008-05-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

My wonderful quilter has sent me an update of the quilt. This is the actual quilt under the quilting machine. As my quilter told me, " The machine cost the same as an average car! It takes up Carol's 20 foot living room!". I am amazed that these women have devoted so much time and energy into this cause. Pictures below!

Why I am a Candidate

2008-04-30T05:34:00.000-07:00

The video is 5:31 long...and will last with you much longer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmeyRIZvf90

Please help make a difference: http://www.active.com/donate/ncamwoy/MarkColaco

The Campaign is Spreading...

2008-04-30T05:31:00.001-07:00

Hello All,

Great news for those of you in Chicago! My good friend Jill is hosting a happy hour benefiting the campaign on May 8. The event will be held at Citizen's Bar, 364 W. Erie, Chicago, IL. For $30, you will receive all you can drink and appetizers from 7-9pm.

If you would like to RSVP just let me know.

Thanks Jill!

What a Difference a Donation Makes

2008-04-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

Just so everyone knows exactly what kind of impact your donation makes, here are some quick points:

$7500 Funds a program to educate 200 doctors on emerging treatments for a specific blood cancer.

$3500 Funds a program to educate 70 nurses on emerging treatments for a specific blood cancer.

$1000 Provides one week’s salary for a medical researcher at NIH, Johns Hopkins or GW who may discover key information for developing curative treatments for blood cancers.

$1000 Makes possible one-on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

$ 500 Provides a patient with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma financial aid to support medical treatment and travel to medical appointments for one year.

$ 500 Provides 10 patients the opportunity to logon to a webcast and hear the latest information on treatment for their disease.

$ 200 Provides funding for a Family Support Group Program for one year where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members mediated by a trained facilitator.

$ 150 Provides for 5 patients to make a First Connection with a trained peer volunteer patient/survivor.

$ 100 Provides 3 patients access to an informational teleconference.

$ 100 Helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures

$ 75 Covers the cost of one tissue typing test that is used to become a bone marrow donor.

$ 50 Covers the cost of one CT scan.

What a difference a donation can make! Please consider giving to the campaign...just Click Here!

Washingtonian!

2008-04-24T13:40:00.001-07:00

FYI, I'll be in the May issue of Washingtonian Magazine. Once I get the page number and details I'll post them here!

Update: All the Man and Woman of the Year candidates are on page 44. I have also included the picture here:

My Quilt Project...

2008-04-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

At the end of the fundraising campaign on June 14th, the Grand Finale Gala will include a live auction. One of my ideas was to put together a quilt comprised of squares from children who are leukemia and lymphoma survivors as a live auction item.

I am very excited that I received my first square from one of the children! Please see the picture below...

Happy Hours Confirmed!

2008-04-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

We now have two happy hours confirmed with The Bottom Line in Washington, DC! The dates are Thursday, May 22 and Thursday, June 5. The happy hours start at 6pm and include the following specials with your $10 donation:

$3 domestic drafts
$3 rail drinks
$3 wine
$4 pint rail drinks

Bottom Line is located at 1716 Eye Street, NW, Washington DC and accessible by metro at Farragut West.

Please put these dates, 5/22 and 6/5, on your calendar and feel free to invite your friends!

Kickoff Party!

2008-04-10T05:08:00.001-07:00

Today is the Man of the Year Kickoff Party at the Embassy of Italy, in Washington, DC. The 17 candidate will all be introduced, along with their campaign managers and supporters. The event is sponsored by Accenture and will feature martini's from Ketel One. Should be a great night! I will post pictures as they become available.

Update: Pictures are up! http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/7402.html

Thank you to all of those attending tonight! Should be a great group assembled for a great cause!

There are Happy Hours in the works for both DC and Houston. I will post these as soon as I have all of the info!

Welcome!

2008-04-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hello All!

I have been nominated as a candidate for

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year

I am very excited about this honor and truly feel this is my opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people affected by leukemia, lymphoma and blood cancers throughout our community.

Why give to the campaign?

Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.
An estimated 823,349 Americans are currently living with blood cancers.
Every five minutes someone is diagnosed - more than 135,520 new cases are expected this year.

I ask that you join me by making a contribution to my fundraising campaign. Each dollar I raise counts as one vote and the candidate who gets the most donations is named our local Man or Woman of the Year. All donations are greatly appreciated. Your donation is tax deductible and will support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society programs, including research, patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services.

How do you make a contribution? Click Here!

Thank you for your support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!