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Fundraiser Will Benefit '99 Trinity Grad Battling Leukemia
11/24/09 5:09 pm   |   reporter: Ali Lanyon   producer: Myles Snyder
abc27 News - Fundraiser Will Benefit '99 Trinity Grad Battling Leukemia
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Camp Hill, Pa. - Dan Lyons spends a lot of time at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

The 28-year-old state worker was diagnosed with leukemia this past June.  He travels to the hospital for treatment about three times a week.

"I's a long road no matter what but there's a good chance I could be totally cured," Lyons said.  "But I'll be in treatment for at least three years which is overwhelming to think about."

Treatment hasn't been easy.  Lyons has lost his hair, a significant amount of weight, and suffers from nausea and exhaustion.

When Dan's former classmates heard about his illness on the social networking site, Facebook, they decided to do something to help.  Instead of having a typical 10 year class reunion this Saturday, they will hold the "All Will Be Well 5k Run/Walk" at Trinity High School.  The event is named after Lyons' blog.   A portion of the proceeds will help him through this difficult time.

"Just to have the care and concern to come together around me 10 years later has been really inspiring," Lyons said.

Lyons was the 1999 class valedictorian.

At the event, people can sign up to be on the bone marrow transplant registry.  Lyons said it's a simple procedure that could save a life.

"There's a chance that I could be cured with just chemotherapy treatments, but there's a potential that down the road I will need a transplant," he said.

"It's very simple, from what I understand, if you want to register," said Janet Quigley, the Director of Development at Trinity.  "It's just a cheek swab."

Trinity teacher Wanda Gabler is Lyons' future mother-in-law.

"He's always been that caring person and it's wonderful when you can do the same for him," Gabler said.

Lyons plans to be married this coming April.  He said he's received a lot of support from his friends and his family.

His father, also named Dan Lyons, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer just two months before his son's diagnosis.  Father and son sometimes receive their treatments at the hospital together.

"I could deal with that," said the elder Lyons.  "When Danny got diagnosed with leukemia it's like...not both.  Just put it all on me, you know."

Lyons also said he's extremely grateful for everyone who has organized the event to benefit his son.

"They're really nice people and I can't believe they're doing this," he said.

"It's funny to think about but I feel I have more to give thanks for this year in other past years," said the younger Lyons.  "This illness has really given me the opportunity to self reflect and to realize what I have to be grateful for."

The "All Will Be Well 5k Run/Walk" will be held this Saturday at Trinity High School.  Registration begins at 9:00 a.m..  There will be events for children.  For more information, visit www.allwillbewell5k.com.

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