Dear Friends and Family,                                        January 22, 2004

We learned today that our 4 year old son, Nate, has cancer. He was
diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) today at the
Children's Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center. It has
been a trying day for Nate, Christa and I.

This is a very treatable form of cancer. Nate will undergo his first
session of chemotherapy beginning tomorrow. And his first
transfusion. There is a course of chemo medications that he will be
given over the next 28 days, that are very likely to put the Leukemia
cells into remission. Then, based upon his progress, his treatments
will change but his chemotherapy treatment will continue for a period
of 2 1/2 years. We hope this will provide the cure.

This news comes close on the heels of the good news that Christa is
pregnant with our third child. We've been on quite the emotional
roller coaster. But, our love for our children and each other will
provide the strength to see this through.

I know people will want to help in whatever way they can. We have a
strong and supportive family, which is a blessing, and they will be
helping watch our 1 year old son, Andrew, during the hospital visits.
We ask that you keep Nate in your thoughts and prayers. If you want
to send him a letter, or stickers, or something simple like a coloring
book, then I'm sure he would love receiving those.

Please also consider donating blood. Not for Nate, specifically, but
for the other 4000 children diagnosed with Leukemia each year. 

I will try and set up some information on our website http://www.doane.net
where we can keep some information up about Nate, and how he's doing.
I'm not sure what sort of frequency I'll update it, but feel free to
check.

Thank you for your love and support,

Greg, Christa, Nate, Andrew and "the bun in the oven".


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Some more information regarding Leukemia and Stanford Hospital may be
found via the following links:

- General information regarding Leukemia:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/all3

- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
http://www.lpch.org/clinicalSpecialtiesServices/COE/CancerBloodDiseases/overview.html