Senator Kerry riding in Pan Mass for Senator Kennedy

From Senator Kerry

I've never asked you for anything more important than this. Next weekend I'm riding in the Pan Mass Challenge for all those with cancer, and especially, this year, in honor of my colleague and friend Ted Kennedy and his fight against cancer. When you've survived cancer, you know the responsibility that comes along with it. I'm one of those lucky survivors. I beat prostate cancer in 2003. We caught it early, and I had great medical care.

This year, I've seen my friend Ted Kennedy fight back against cancer and come back to the Senate to vote to save Medicare. It is for Ted and all those with cancer that I ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a charity event raising funds for cancer research and treatment. And it is with him in mind that I ask you to contribute to this charity and help in the fight against cancer:Support the Pan-Mass Challenge

The money raised goes to the Jimmy Fund, a Massachusetts-based charity that has been at the forefront of cancer research and treatment for many years. The Jimmy Fund supports some of the most ground-breaking research, as well as some of the most compassionate and humane care. In my own life, I've seen the incredible progress we've made in the fight against cancer with the help of organizations like the Jimmy Fund. But every time someone else is diagnosed with cancer, or I hear of another person lost to the disease, I'm reminded again of how far we still have to go.So, won't you please help?

Follow the link below to the Pan-Mass Challenge's website to give what you can. The contribution is tax-deductible.
Support the Pan-Mass Challenge

From me,
If you can afford to donate, please do it for this worthy cause.

Kerry, veterans blast current state of care

Kerry, veterans blast current state of care
By Jack Dew, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 10/27/2007 07:47:22 AM EDT
Saturday, October 27

PITTSFIELD — About 50 veterans — most of them formerly homeless, many of them recovering addicts — sat on folding chairs in a common room of the United Veterans of America facility on West Housatonic Street, waiting for a chance to tell U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry what they need and are not getting from their government.

In a dark blue suit and pastel tie and ringed by TV cameras and reporters, Kerry looked little like his fellow veterans. He told them that the fight for benefits and proper care of the men and women returning from war is a battle that has been waged since the end of Vietnam. There have been some victories, he said, and some defeats.

"Supporting the troops is not just supporting them when they are in another country and they are in harm's way. Supporting the troops means keeping faith with people who wore the uniform when they come home," Kerry said. "That means we have got to make these lessons we have learned mean something.
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