Sayonara Japan. Today we depart for our various homelands with a larger family than when we arrived. A year of fundraising and training has come to an end marking the beginning of a new year of saving lives, one concert at a time. Today – we especially remember Kevin Carlberg who one year ago today lost his 7 year battle with brain cancer leaving behind a legacy that we hope will continue to be an inspiration to all those affected by cancer….Don’t worry, be happy!

Being less ‘beaten up’ than most of my fellow trekkers, I awoke bright and early to head down to the legendary fish market and start my day of tokyo sightseeing.  The Swimmers, Julie and Lisa were the only others up and game for this excursion, so as our guide Mami led on we headed off to the subway.  You could smell the fish market from the subway platform, and we were warned that while we’d be tolerated in the market, we should keep a low profile as this was a place of business.  Every imaginable creature that the sea has to offer was for sale, some still alive, others, not so much.  The colors, sounds and smells at this early and hot hour were overwhelming and after almost being run over several times by fishmongers on motorized zambonis I quietly bailed and headed back to the hotel.  There I collected Kourtney, Meghan, Matt and Kevin and we headed off to Harijuku to hopefully witness the infamous Japanese greasers who congregate there.  With its cheap rock and roll clothing stores and jewelry bins, Harijuku reminded me of Melrose or Saint Mark’s place, but with a lot more Hello Kitty.  The heat was sweltering and although we were strangers in a strange land, we kept bumping into our fellow trekkers as if we’d planned it.  First Julie looking thru Kimonos on a street corner, then Chippendale and his college roomate passed us in the street.  Not 10 minutes later we entered a store to buy souvineers and saw Shannon and Meghan Buchanan exiting.  In fact the only people we didn’t bump into were the 2 we were supposed to meet, Gena and Brian, who also wanted to see the Japanese rockabilly scene first hand.  After some ice cream and no luck finding the greasers (who apparently congregate at the park on Sunday mornings to dance to 50′s music) I headed to the aptly named Electric City to meet Mike, Stash and Oli.

Eletctric City lived up to its name… store after store and floor after floor of cameras, screens, ipods, etc.  Circuit City would be another good name for the area, had it not already been taken.  We wanted to goto Ginzu (home of the knife) and souvenir shop, but Mike had an interview so we headed back to the hotel (but not before some pizza).

A quick shower and we were all back on the bus, headed for our last meal together. Brien had given Megan Gold an awesome rockabilly hairdo. It is the first time I can recall that trekkers groomed each other on a LHS excursion, but it was not to be the last…

We boarded a houseboat in Tokyo harbor and sat cross legged on low tables as the boat left dock in the choppy waters.  Much to the delight of the jersey crew, we were having sushi and tempura again.  On board were 3 Geishas to serve and entertain with traditional japanese song and dance.  Their performance was, how do you say…interesting.  Atonal Eastern modes and scales that were hard to comprehend.  The eldest woman played a 3 stringed guitar which Glenn eventually charmed her out of, and another LHS jam session began.

Flash back to the night before where Glenn on stage had invited anyone in the audience with scissors to come on stage and trim his hair during his performance. Luckily people don’t generally bring scissors to gigs, so his offer was ignored (and/or completely not understood by the japanese audience). While the request seemed odd and offhand, I knew he was serious and apparently I wasn’t the only one. As he jammed on a T Rex song with Brien, young Kourtney Carlberg revealed that she had bought scissors during the day and boldly started cutting Glenn’s locks. Soon everyone got into the act, with Gena especially excited to take a snip and eventually the Geisha joined as well. Shannon could not help to relate the moment to the day, 10 years ago, when her brother shaved his head during his chemo treatment. During a family party, each male family member took turns having their hair snipped off in a show of support for Ryan’s battle with testicular cancer. Funny how so many seemingly random moments of our treks bring us back to the very reason we are all here.

After the cruise we hit Rapungee, the center of Tokyo nightlife where it became harder to keep the group in tact.  Some had already headed for the hotel to pack for early flights, others split off in Rapungee some off for food, others drink, but it became apparent it was time to let go and say goodbye to this amazing group who had been together non stop for the past 8 days.  Having been through this before a few times now, I knew the score…some of these people I’d see in a week or two at Union County Music fest, some once a year at best and some maybe never again, but their names and faces and the memory of this trip will always stay with me no matter how many mountains I climb.

Hi. and Bye.

Alex Coletti
Tokyo, Japan
August 28, 2010

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Back to Tokyo, adios & bon voyage to Scott Igoe, and a time-travel stroll into the past in a Japanese Garden that was dated by perfect, gnarly, ancient Bonzai trees, sensitively designed details, monster colorful coy and traditional vittles.

Carola couldn’t help but notice the distinct look of disappointment on Jersey Nick & Mike’s faces that lunch wasn’t a simpler fare of (more friggin’) noodles. Just no good Deli in the hood…

Tonight we kept the rhythm in motion with a drumSTRONG Tokyo Drum Circle which included Japanese community drummers, cancer survivors, families, the producer of the ‘Fuji Rocks’ concert, and the director for the Japan Cancer Society. We made new friends and were presented funds raised from 7 drumSTRONG Japan events to be disbursed to local cancer initiatives. We introduced Love, Hope, Strength and planted seeds for future collaboration.

Carola, Mason, Toby, Everett, our two facilitators, Tomtom and Nonon and I joined the group for more Lock & Loll from Mike, Glenn & Brien at Club Doctor. GREAT Show! And yes, the Swimmers got our percussive rocks off and had some serious fun.

From Donovan’s surf’s up! beach party to Mike, Glenn and Brien’s Taiko-Rock Fire Dance street party, and unmentionable (and undocumentable) karaoke sideshows, our timing has been impeccably harmonious! We create the Pulse and dance to the Beat with life-embracing acceptance.

We’re doing such good and we continue to brighten the paths of everyone our unfaltering beam illuminates; including our own.

We are riding the Magic Bus, fueled by Love, Hope, “Storength”

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Yesterday afternoon, we descended the mountain and happily arrived at our hotel in Fujiyoshida where we would call home for the next 2 nights. The hotel is situated in between a hot springs and an amusement park. After figuring out how to turn on the AC, all in Japanese, in our rooms and a quick shower, we headed to the hot springs to soak our aching muscles.  Whether it was a nap, a roller coaster ride or drinking a celebratory saki on the top floor, we prepared ourselves for the celebration dinner.  Shannon Foley started a new tradition this year of the “left handed compliment” we went around the room, one at a time and shared our admiration about the person to our left.  That is the power of the mountain and the intent of these journeys. People, who only a few days prior were welcomed newbies are now lifelong friends. We had real things to say for each person around the room. Well, maybe except for Chippendale. All I got out of his speech is that he has a boy crush on Donovan Frankenreiter!  The night came to a close with the moon rising, and the distant site of twinkling lights of headlamps ascending Mount Fuji in the dark for a new dawn rising.

Grateful for a morning of sleep, we spent our first official day off the mountain earning our meal by making our own Soba noodles from buckwheat and water straight from the streams of Mount Fuji. It was today, at our hotel with Mount Fuji so far off in the distance that we realized this was where we set off on foot for that very summit only a few days prior. No wonder none of us can move our aching bones today! We stopped by the Sengen shrine to purchase last minute trinkets we did not buy when we started our climb for fear of weighing down our already overloaded packs. This is where tonights Fire Festival will begin. A Fuji shrine will be carried through the burning streets of the village in order to appease the mountain god in the hopes of keeping the volcano from erupting yet another year. This ceremony symbolizes the closing of the mountain climbing season and all of the mountain huts will be boarded up for the winter. What better way to close Love Hope Strength’s own “climbing season”.  We have been warned by our lovely Japanese guide, Mami, to dress appropriately – no flammable clothing!! Good idea Mami!

Meghan Buchanan
Fujiyoshida, Japan
August 26, 2010

SOBA! not just more noodles. Buckwheat flour shaped a meal as many hands rolled in dough; everything we do grows from the root of intention to laughter, music and nourishment.

An innocent, after-lunch, brisk mountain stream knee-high dip by Glenn soon had many following his giggling, wide open, life embracing Pied Piperness. All were refreshed (and almost forgot about our aches).

We rolled back to revisit the keeper of Fuji’s sanctity @ the Sengen Shrine, had the opportunity to absorb and honor the mountain’s heritage and open our hearts to the world through the incredible talents of Stash, Alex and Oli’s documentary skills. We are availing some life-altering experiences here via Mike, James and Shannon’s vision and all of our life-stories.

A new year began for Lovely Gena who shared her birthday with us in roller-coaster glee and harmonies. (Though finding the ‘cake’ was a challenge).

Even though it seems like we’ve pissed off every possible hotel staff member and breached every cultural protocol imaginable and then some, we have witnessed, been privileged to participate in and/or create some of the most memorable experiences for anybody we encounter.

And if we don’t ‘by chance’ encounter them, Brien will engage and embrace them.

Off to the Fire Festival….

The heat in the Street, textures and smells galore, ultimate Japanese kids in Kimono adorableness and core vibrating Taiko percussing kept my face in a jaw-dropped perpetual smile. And then we were invited to PLAY!

Many drums! BIG f-in drums!

We are hitting on all sensations and elements (and in some cases, beautiful Japanese women). Experiencing Earth’s cinder enriched footing of our Volcano, uplifting thin-aired breezes above the clouds, the electrified storm below the clouds, crisp life-sustaining water, and the fire from deep within Fuji-san manifesting on the streets, our senses and spirit have been heightened.

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I’ve been an early riser on this trip, which for someone who has never been accused of being a morning person is kinda scary. I was the first out of the hut again this morning at 3 AM. However, I was rewarded with an amazingly bright full moon over the crater and sat and watched the twinkling lights of thousands of trekkers along the path as they were making their way up to join us for the sunrise. Others from our group began to make their way out and we opined about our inability to sleep and the sounds and smells of our group sleep. Everyone scurried out for the 4 AM call time and they were surprised by mass of morning hikers that had joined us. There was some fear that we would not be able to secure a spot for all of us but Alex, Kourtney, and Stash scouted out a location. With guitars and prayer flags in tow we marched together to claim our spot.

We all gathered around and watched as the musicians warmed up and the production crew setup for our impromptu sunrise concert. With the prayer flags draped over our shoulders we waited for the true star of the morning to reveal itself above the blanket of white clouds. Shortly after 5 AM, Mt. Fuji truly lived up to its name “The House of the Rising Sun” and the mountain erupted with cheers of Banzai when it peaked out. I mistakenly thought we were yelling Kampai (the Japanese toast) and two Japanese girls laughed and corrected me telling me that Banzai was their form of cheering yea.

Before the concert started we took a moment to honor some friends and family that had been lost to cancer. Everett shared with us a story of a friend whose ashes he had brought on the trek and that he was going to spread some of them in the crater. Shannon asked us to shout out names of others that we wanted to honor and we took a moment to acknowledge the thousands of people that we were holding on the prayer flags.

Mike led the first song, which appropriately was his song “Strength.” The impromptu set list continued down the line of musicians sharing their songs. Mike inspired us, Donovan and Matt made us cry, Glenn made us laugh, and Brien had us stomping our feet. I sat back and thought how I was going to add a lot of new songs to my iPod the first chance I got. After the show, we took some group photos and nearly lost Oli over the edge as he rushed in to take a picture. I’m certain we could have easily sat up there the rest of the day but it was time to get down the mountain.

Our breakfast was waiting for us when we got back to the hut. It looked oddly similar to our dinner from the night before – beef curry and rice or miso and noodles. As we finished breakfast Shannon reviewed our itinerary and repeated a PSA of the horrors of Fuji Knee, which happens when you slide and overextend your knee in the loose gravel. We gathered up our stuff and prepared for the trek down. I had saved my Don’t Worry Be Happy t-shirt the Kourtney gave us to honor her brother. I chose to wear on a successful last day of the trek. We took some last minute photos and with a few more instructions from Shannon we began to make our way down.

Our guides showed us some techniques to zig zag across the path and ensure good footing in the loose volcanic rock and gravel. It was not easy on the knees and ankles but I worried less about Fuji Knee and more about Fuji Faceplant. With our fresh legs we quickly navigated our way through the crowds of weary morning hikers who were making the trip up and down in one day. Everyone from our group made it safely down with the exception of one of our guides Masaki, we received word that he had broken one of his legs but thankfully it was a “lost in translation” moment. It was his hiking stick that had broken sending him falling down the mountain but nothing a few days off his feet will not fix. We enjoyed some well deserved beers and ice cream before loading on the bus to take us back to civilization.

After a few minutes on the bus the foul odor of 30+ people who had not showered after a few days of hiking set in. Trust me when I tell you do not want a Disney style 4-D production of our trek. I fully expect that the bus company will charge us an extra cleaning fee.

As we made our way to the city I sat back and reflected on the trek. It was more difficult than I had expected and I was happy that everyone had successfully completed it. I was proud to honor all of our family and friends affected by cancer with the trek and the prayer flags and I thought of the symbolism of our journey to their struggles with cancer. To me our many collective challenging steps represented the difficult steps our friends and family have taken to go to their treatments and the steps of those that continue to march on after a successful battle with cancer. I felt that the countless beads of sweat that dropped from our foreheads represented the tears of sorrow for our love ones lost and the tears of joy of those that are cancer free and continue life’s journey.

This has been an amazing experience with a great organization and group of people. I have truly drunk the “Kool-aid” and look forward to future journeys with my new friends. Thank you to all of you for your continued support and inspiration.

Matt Van Sistine
Fujiyoshida, Japan
August 25, 2010

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The night was surprisingly restful on top of the hardwood floor and roll out mats.  The Japanese doors hid the morning light for as long as possible until set up for breakfast began.  We were all a bit hesitant, thinking about the day ahead.  Yesterday was hot as frek!  It is not normal to slam over 4 liters of water and not have to pee once.  We hoped today would be easier on us.  We were also saddened to learn Mason and Corolla would only be hiking the first 30 minutes with us, then have to take there leave.  The humidity and incline had taken its toll. We filled up on…. You guessed it, rice and noodles, and belly warming green tea.  We headed up hill to what we newly named “Mason’s Point”.  This was also the first point we witnessed the insanity of Japanese crowds basking at the base of Mt. Fuji.  It was bittersweet… the excitement of our upcoming summit, but leaving behind 2 of our family members.  We rested at Mason’s Point for a bit, attempted to build our own kerins, took pictures, told stories and all joined Glenn Tilbrook, Mike Peters, and the boys in an a cap ella version of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (shout out to Kevin) We said our goodbyes and hugged Corola and Mason.  I think I hugged Mason 3 times. He’s so freaking cute, how could you not.

Our day of 6000 vertical feet began.  Where else do you spend hours on end talking about everything from The Alarm’s best album to Obama’s space initiative… the true theory of the TV show Lost to the story of loss in our own lives to cancer.  I learned about Brian McVernon’s children and what Lisa Miller dressed up as last Halloween.  How grateful am I to have this opportunity to know such amazing people.  We shared stories and water, climbing higher and higher. We collected stamps at each station/hut we reached. It was also a convenient excuse to take off the pack and rest the feet.  At the beginning of our climb we bought a wooden walking stick with the intent of collecting these stamps through the hike. A Mt. Fuji tradition, it was like watching a rancher brand his cattle, a sign of each small ascending accomplishment.  I won’t lie, I debated where on my body would hurt the least if I were to brand the tiger station symbol. Besides, the tattoo on my back already labeled me as Japanese Mofia, why not a skin branding? Don’t worry, I quickly realized the altitude was affecting my judgment, HA? As with every journey, you take a bit of time to reflect on what has brought you half way around the world.  I thought about my grand mother, whom I barely got to know and my aunt who passes 2 years ago.  The extreme fatigue in my legs is about honoring them and my hopes for cancer care for others.  It was a long day and we soon reached a breath-taking gate with Japanese Lion statues on opposing sides.  Cheers from the insanely fast (Matt Van Sistine, Denver) accompanied the last 100 feet.  The top… sweet baby Buddha… the top… looking down at what we have overcome and the sea of clouds hiding the city below.  It was not long before the guitars came out and the celebration began. As the sun set, our spirits rose.  One at a time, our brothers and sisters reached their goal.  The Jersey crew was most impressive, throwing out one liners (aka, cursing George Devanney for involving them in this) every step of the way. They didn’t think they’d make it… we didn’t think they’d make it… but they did in style.

The boys played until a dinner break.  This was indeed a special night… BEEF CURRY!  Oh, how I cherished the break from gluten, which I am allergic, and have been suffering from the effects of since we arrived in the land of soy and Miso.  The dinner was spent quoting every Will Ferrell movie to date (Baxter, you know I don’t speak Japanese!).  We were informed the lights would be turned off at 7 pm.  Oh yes, you heard me correctly, 7 pm.  After much bribery, Shannon was able to delay it by 30 minutes (Standard time, not Japanese minutes which means 1.5 hours). We brushed our teeth with what was left of any water in our water bottles,  baby wiped what needed refreshing and got ready for the something I have not experienced since a good old fashioned jr. high lock in.  As a veteran LHS trekker, I will say there has never been an experience like this night at the summit of Mt. Fuji. Let me set this up.  There were two rows of slatted wood bunkbeds covered in thick patterned quilts and buckwheat pillows.  There was no end to one bed when the other began. Here we were, hiking mates, now requested to spend a night spooned one to another.  I fell asleep, at 8pm (who does that besides my 93 year old grandfather?) to the soulful sounds of Brian McVernon playing guitar and sharing a few melodies that meant so much to him in his life.  That made up 30 minutes of the total 1 hour sleep I gained.  The remainder of the night was moaning to the right (Matt Grundy, probably from the beef curry and rice) , an orchestra or snoring to my left and strange whimpering on the other side of the bunks (most likely from the insane climb we had).  Today was about overcoming great challenges, celebrating those who have kicked cancers ass and those we have lost.  Today we found new best friends as well as new pieces of ourselves.   Today LHS grows stronger.

Meghan Buchanan
Mount Fuji Summit
August 24, 2010

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Love, hope, strength
Shannon Foley
Tokyo, Japan

Day 3 has arrived, it is official, and we will be hiking Mount Fuji today. Anticipation sets in as we walk into the hotel lobby filled with backpacks. It is only 6:15 in the morning as we are handed our Japanese style breakfast consisting of a smorgous board of food including spaghetti and sandwiches. Our two hour bus ride passed quickly as Shannon read the journals from our first two days out loud and passed out prayer flags for us to write down not only the names of our loved ones including my brother Kevin as well as the many requests sent into Love Hope Strength to carry to the top of the mountain. I then brought a gift for all of my new family to wear on the trek, a Don’t Worry Be Happy t-shirt that embodied Kevin’s philosophy on life. It was such a joy for me to see people’s response as they changed their clothes for the day and put on their new t-shirts. A year ago, Kevin was supposed to hike Mount Kilimanjaro with the LHS family. After a seven year battle with brain cancer, Kevin passed away a month before the trek.  I knew I had to do the Mount Fuji hike when I saw that it would coincide with the one-year anniversary of his death on August 29^th. Kevin and I begun training together for his Kilimanjaro trek; we would go on hikes together and bond over our love of music and athletics, we called each other best buds. He left behind his legacy through his music and his daughter, Lyric as well as all the lives he touched.

As I peek out the bus window we can see Fuji towering above us. As we step off the bus, the heat and humidity are in full force. We meet our guides and Glenn Tilbrook and Brien McVernon start off the hike in what is true LHS fashion singing Love, Hope and Strength. We then get our blessing at the Sengen Shrine and all excitedly purchase the much needed and renowned walking sticks and start trekking along. After two hours of trekking in the wooded forest we stop for our boxed lunch at what our guide calls Station 0. Once again, not your typical Western styled lunch but we all chow down for energy for the 4 hour hike ahead of us. Brien McVernon in his rockabilly style sings us some tunes as our Japanese guide Coco rocks out with us.

One of the newest musicians to join our group, Donavon Frankenreiter, who lives at sea level and surfs for a living led the pack at a furious pace and arrived first at the Station 6 Seikanso Lodge. As the entire Love Hope Strength team makes it to the 6^th Station, 2,390 meters above sea level our journey is official as Mike Peters greet us all. The night is filled with “Life, Love and Laughter” as the boys gather together playing us songs like they have been playing together for years.  We hear Shannon shriek as she finds her Love Hope Strength drawing that she had left in the last year hanging on the wall. She had told the owner she would be back in the year with a music-centric charity group.  The owner of the lodge presented Shannon with a bottle of Sake and we said “Kampai” before resting in our cubby hole beds organized by our astrology signs.  As I lay in bed, I think about my conversation with Mason, who tells me about his battle against bone cancer that he courageously fought and allowed him to be one our trekkers.  I also think of my childhood friend, Megan Gold along with co-founders James Chippendale and Mike Peters of LHS, all cancer survivors and trekkers. We are all here together.

After reminiscing on the whole day, I can’t help but think of Kevin Howley’s comment to me after my remarking on the beauty of the mountain, he turned to me and said how I was looking at the view my brother gets to have everyday.

Kourtney Carlberg

Mount Fuji Station 0-5, Japan

August 23, 2010

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The heat and humidity is physically draining if not in the shade, it was not long that we were all ready for our first Japanese meal of noodles, unidentifiable fried tempura items and curdled egg soup – surprisingly yummy!!!

The moment that would truly begin our journey happened just after lunch in the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple. Amongst the lily pads and and Japanese blessings made of white cloth. We sat and introduced ourselves to one another and revealed our purposes for spending the last year raising thousands of dollars, leaving our friends and family behind and journeying to the Land of the Rising Sun with a bunch of strangers whom we will all come to know as family in just a few moment.

James Chippendale – the founder is a Leukemia survivor and bone marrow recipient
Mason Swimmer is here with his family – and will likely find trouble navigating the slippery trail due to losing a large section of his though bone to bone cancer.
Megan Gold – is an ovarian cancer survivor since a teenager.
Alex Coletti and Gena Rositano – both have parents at home that are struggling through treatment.
Kourtney Carlberg is completing a journey for her brother, who had intended to climb Kili with us last year but lost his battle just one month shy of the trek. We will celebrate his anniversary on the last day of the journey.
The stories of 30 strangers had us all in tears and now hugging as we realized that we all share a common bone – cancer. And that everyone in the world will soon share that unwelcome bond with us.

This is why we came and this is why we will carry the names, celebrate the lives and sing atop Mount Fuji. Please read about each team member throughout the coming days. Donate on their behalf and help us rid the world of it’s leading global killer.

The day came to a close as only Love Hope Strength could – a simple statement by Donavon Frankenreiter – had us changing course and heading to the beach. “I want to go surfing”. Of course he does, he is Donavon Frankenreiter, and when Donavon wants to surf – you say YES!!! 20 minutes later we found ourselves turning salty tears of sorrow and sadness into salty toes and hair as we ran into the ocean. A concert soon was building as Brien McVernon, Glenn Tilbrok, Donavon Frankenreiter and Matt Grundy took over the stage at a Japanese beach hut and we played til the sun went down.

Goodnight to our friends and family at home – tomorrow we begin our hike and we may have some radio silence for the next 2 days but we will be sure to be back with pictures of the flags and stories of triumph

Love, hope, strength
Shannon Foley
Tokyo, Japan
August 22, 2010

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The flags have become our symbol of why we do the crazy things we do. Let’s face it – who decides to do concerts on top of mountains or buildings? I think it is a great time to reflect upon the flags and the places they have been and touched to help you understand how we came to this day.

In 2007, we carried 40 prayer flags bearing the names of our loved ones to Everest, resulting in the first mammography machine and the first brachytherapy (internal radiation) machine for the country of Nepal.

In 2008, we loaded up a backpack with 400 names as we journeyed along the Inca Trail to Machu Pichhu, and funded a mobile cancer unit which will screen and treat 20-000-30,000 patients per year in remote regions of Peru. Due to the recent floods, the project has been delayed but should be back on track shortly. We built a new wing for a cancer care center in Wales and purchased a transport vehicle for a children’s cancer center in New Jersey.

In 2009, we carried 6,000 names to the summit of Kilimanjaro and are funding the construction of a children’s cancer center in Tanzania which is currently under construction. We conducted over 100 bone marrow drives at venues such as The Pepsi Center and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Mile High Music Fest, Union County Music Fest and Austin City Limits. And we purchased the most advanced equipment for Leukapheresis to improve the stem cell transplant procedure for the country of Wales.

Now, it’s 2010, we are carrying the flags of thousands (trying to get them all counted now) of your family and friends who have been affected by cancer to the symbolic peak of the Land of the Rising Sun – Mount Fuji. The flags are already a bit weathered and worn as pieces of them have blown in the wind atop Pikes Peak and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, the Summit of Snowdon and Valley of Rhondda in Wales and now here they sit in my hotel room in Tokyo – ready for our Monday journey. This year we have increased our total number of registered marrow donors in the United States to over 7,000, located 35 potentially-life saving transplants, and conducted the very first saliva-based marrow registration drive in the United Kingdom. We are in the final edits of an eye-opening documentary that takes a closer look inside the lives of 3 men all in need of a marrow donor. More To Live For will be hitting the theatres in the Fall and is bound to change the way that we all look at bone marrow transplants and the importance of registration. We are proud to now be working with the International Coalition of Cancer (UICC) to make saliva based bone marrow registration a global initiative and Mount Fuji Rocks in one of many events that will help us reach that goal.

PLEASE, join us in saving lives, one concert at a time by donating to Love Hope Strength. It is as simple as clicking on the link above or picking up your cell phone and texting the word LOVE to 50555 to donate $5. A $5 charge will be added to your next phone bill.

Check back daily for images, music and stories from along the trail and watch as the flags arrive atop Mount Fuji.

Shannon Foley

August 21, 2010

Tokyo, Japan

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