| Jobson
Thanks Friends, Says Lymphoma Fight Is 'Encouraging'
 Gary
Jobson has good news for all the fans and friends
who have written to wish him well in his battle
with lymphoma.
"So
far my medical numbers are better and things are
looking encouraging," Jobson said via e-mail
Wednesday.
Sailing's
foremost lecturer and TV host was diagnosed with
the disease five weeks ago as he was preparing for
an appearance at the Long Beach (Calif.) Yacht Club.
The appearance was canceled and Jobson, 52, started
a series of chemotherapy treatments.
"Over
the past two months I have received an astounding
1,500 e-mails and 300 cards from friends around
the world," he said. "For all these messages
I am grateful.
"Since
my diagnosis, I've had two surgeries, two chemo
treatments and two setbacks as a result of the chemo.
I've lost a total of 38 pounds and have a new hairdo
(none). But my cough has gone away, I'm walking
every day and, after a series of upcoming tests,
I'm optimistic to finish this regimen in August.
"I
really appreciate all the support from so many friends."
Kathy
Lambert, Jobson's administrative secretary, said
Jobson received his second chemo treatment last
Friday.
"The
side effects did not seem as severe this time,"
she said from the Jobson Sailing office in Annapolis,
Md. "He's putting on a couple of pounds. He's
definitely looking healthier. His plan is to take
it easy this summer."
Lambert
said Jobson plans to deliver a lecture for the Connecticut
Leukemia Society at a Leukemia Cup in Mystic, Conn.
the evening of July 25 and speak at a Tartan Owners
New England meeting in Essex, Conn. July 26.
"Everything
else has been cleared off," she said.
Jobson
said, "My plan is to be back on the job in
early September."
Meanwhile,
he was not taking phone calls. His last chemo treatment
is scheduled for Aug. 8.
Jobson
has been the chairman of the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society's Volvo Leukemia Cup Regattas---a series
of 45 fundraising sailing events---since 1993.
Dan
Doyle, a Honolulu businessman, and Bruce Burgess
carried the society's message in the 2001 Transpacific
Yacht Race when they recognized 12-year-old lymphoma
survivor Natalie Frazier as an honorary crew member.
For the next Transpac starting in July, they have
taken Jobson on board.
"By
sailing on Jobson's behalf, it is our hope to raise
at least $10,000," Doyle said, "and then
look to other Transpac participants and the sailing
community at large for additional donations.
"And
because there has been no Transpac trophy for the
Doublehanded class, we also hope to establish one
this year and have it dedicated as the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society Gary Jobson Perpetual Trophy."
The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest
private organization concerned solely with funding
research toward cures for blood-related cancers
and improving the quality of life of patients and
their families.
---Rich Roberts
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