Thursday, October 29, 2009

Movie Night- Are You Scared???



The Edmond’s are Having Movie Night to Benefit Todd Larsen & Family!

Join us on Friday, October 30th to watch
The Sixth Sense
On our driveway – 56 Ashcrest, Bainbridge Homes
$5 donation to go directly to the Larsen’s
Event starts @ 6:30 pm; Movie @ 7 pm
Bring a beach chair or blanket!

For the last 8 years our coach Todd Larsen has been coaching children in our community. Over this period Todd has trained hundreds of children in swimming and music. Even if he hasn’t trained your children we’re sure they know someone he has trained. Unfortunately in September Coach Todd was diagnosed with Leukemia and will need to undergo a bone marrow transplant. On that day of his diagnosis, he had to stop all of his coaching activity, which is his entire source of income. Coach Todd is married and has a 10 month old son. Coach Todd is our HERO.

Questions? email Robin: redmond2@cox.net
cell: 714-745-7740

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Coach Todd's Rock 'n' Splash Relay Bash

This Saturday is the swim bash. We hope you will come and be a part of this AWESOME benefit for Todd!!! Click here for registration forms and to find all the info you need.
~Tiffany

Monday, October 26, 2009

Toddstock

What a fabulous day! Toddstock was amazing! We all had so much fun. Thank you Susie, Christine and your team!!! You guys rock!!!! The OCRegister was at Toddstock and there was a write up posted this morning as well as a video. Here is the link to the article, video, and photos http://www.ocregister.com/articles/larsen-todd-toddstock-2623250-coach-orange


There will be more photos to follow...email me your favorites! It was so nice to meet so many of you. I am happy to have faces to go with your names that I have come to love so much!!!!

~Tiffany


The registration/ticket booth was busy all day long- hooray!


Bone Marrow Registry

Todd and Garrett enjoying a great concert!

Mom Larsen


Todd and Tiffany

Here is video clip of the walk...you all look so good in orange!


Monday, October 19, 2009

Garage Sale for Todd


We are planning a neighborhood Garage Sale this Saturday, October 24 at 2 Rolling Hills - (Lissoy's House in Northpark) Please bring the items that you would like to sell to the Lissoy's home any time this week (just leave items under the covered breezeway between our two garages). All profits will be donated to Todd & Kelly. Questions? Contact Lissoys at ChristineLissoy@cox.net
~Tiffany

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Toddstock

It is here!!! Toddstock is this Sunday. Don't miss this GREAT day!!!

Here is the registration form that you can print out and drop by Susan Ingalls house(address on the form), or bring with you to Toddstock.


2 more fun things have been added to an already fabulous day...


Cash for Gold: Bring your Gold to Toddstock…We will have MacTavish Jewlers there giving cash for gold the day of the event and giving ToddStock (Todd and Kelly) back 20%.


You can also bring your “friendly” dog (don’t want to scare little kids) as we will have a vendor trimming their nails on the spot for $10 and giving 100% back to ToddStock.




Click on the flyer to enlarge...

Todd on youtube

Todd was approached by Gina Cousineau who lost her son, Evan, to adrenoleukodystrophy and wanted to involve Todd in her quest to promote being a donor. She started the Be a Hero Become a Donor organization. Todd agreed to be a part of this great effort. His interviews with her are on youtube and can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI0PEF3AzJo

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usmeKaQsjf4&feature=related
~Tiffany

Friday, October 16, 2009

Another Miracle!!

Hot off the press..
Todd and I just received a call from our Doctor. Based upon early results of a BM biopsy done yesterday, the lab found NO new blasts in his marrow. AMAZING news! Basically, after the first round of chemo his body is growing only healthy cells. This does not change the course of treatment and does not mean we are out of the woods. What it does tell us is that we won this battle and that the cancer can be tamed...

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, support and love. Thank you for fighting this battle with us!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

OCRegister

A local paper called the OCRegister did an article on Todd. You can click on more photos to see some great photos of the Larsens. Check it out at
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/larsen-todd-family-2606906-leukemia-supporters

~Tiffany

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Good blood test

I had a blood test yesterday and the numbers were near normal. My Doctor was pleased and so was Kelly and I! That means the chemo is doing what it's supposed to be and my body is doing what it's supposed to- building new "good" cells. I will have another bone marrow biopsy on Thursday to see how clean my white blood cells are. the Doctor is expecting good results based on my blood work. I'm really enjoying my time at home. I wish I wasn't tired all the time but just being here is wonderful. Thank you every body for your love and support!

Friday, October 9, 2009

The Best Welcome Home Ever!!

I was amazed at the royal "welcome home" I got today. A huge thanks to everybody who decorated the neighborhood and my house today. You all rock!





Ribbons tied on the trees...




My garage door...

I am so glad to be home!!!





Before I left the hospital, Kelly thought it would be fun to decorate my head...




"Todd Rocks"

Hello all,

We thought you would enjoy this photo of our friend Todd and the excitement over Activision’s new version of Guitar Hero, the Todd Larsen Guitar Hero 5. We think we have a winner here and as you can see, Todd approves. This is a wonderful promotional opportunity to let you know that we are planning the “Todd Rocks” benefit concert featuring the Irvine Music Academy bands along with some of Todd’s friends and special guest star rockers. You won’t want to miss this. We will forward the details soon.

Yours,

Mike Kerr, Tiffany Hale, Chuck Browne and Bill Sanderson (The Todd Rocks Organizing Committee)

Change of plans

This roller coaster ride is crazy! Yesterday I was told we were starting round two-today is a different story. I'm actually coming home!! The Doctors were baffled as to why my white counts were still leukemic. It's not normal after phase 1 chemo. After digging deeper they found I am still in a down trend in my chemo regimen and my counts are still dropping. So, what that means is the bad cells are still going away rapidly and my recent bone marrow biopsy was a little premature. (and I hate those things) I will get yet another biopsy next week that will be a better (more timely) test of what's going on. I am excited to get out of the hospital and be home with my family! I will have to be very careful being around people. Especially now during the flu season. Masks and Anti-bacterial hand wash is a must. But I can live with that. Thank you for the love, prayers and support! Miracles happen!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Bone Marrow Registry

You can register yourself with the bone marrow registry this weekend in Irvine.
You must be 18 - 61 years of age to donate. They will swab your cheek with a q-tip. Easy! They will still be setting up at the two upcoming events, but this will allow everyone to get the ball rolling now - it takes 4-6 weeks for them to complete the matching process. When you register, you need to put Todd's name down I also want you to know the process of donating bone marrow is much like donating plasma or platelets. Thank heaven for modern medicine!!

~Tiffany

October 9-11 - Marrow Registry and Blood Drive - Irvine, CA
3rd Annual "Give Blood Play Hockey" Tournament
Be The Match Registry and Hemacare Blood Drive
Friday, 10/9 2-9pm
Saturday, 10/10 10am-5:30pm
Sunday, 10/11 10am-4:30pm
The 949 Roller Hockey Center3150 Barranca Parkway Irvine, CA 92606-5202

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Help Our Coach- Recycling

A recycling program has been set up to raise money for Todd and his family during this difficult time. The goal is to get the children in his community involved in helping Coach Todd. Please go to recycle.help-our-coach.org/ for information on how you and your children can get involved. We hope to start the program in October and need about 60 Community Champions to help with the distribution of our flyer to all the 3,500 homes in our community (North Park and Northwood Pointe) and with the pick up of containers when the program gets going. On the web site you can click on the links to donate goods or volunteer to distribute flyers and pick up goods. Thank you for your help and please pass the word to your friends.
Questions? Contact Randy Gusikoski randallg@help-our-coach.org

Round Two..Ding, Ding

After the first round of Chemo my blood counts started climbing...which is a good thing. But, the white blood cells that my body was producing ended up being "evil". Over 50% were leukemic. This means that my cancer is VERY aggressive and I need to start round two of Chemo immediately. Obviously I've got a fight on my hands. But as Kelly reminded me, everything I do is 150% so why not this too. My attitude is there is only one option - Beat this monster! We're looking at a bone marrow transplant much earlier now. We are making plans to get to City of Hope as soon as we get the green light. My sisters Tiffany and TJ will be tested for a match and we'll replace my bad cells with good cells. Then my new cells will start to do what they need to do to get me home for good.

"Toddstock"

This will be an event not to miss!
~Tiffany

Sunday, October 25th
On Northpark's club house lawn
k- walk/jog starting at 11:30, registration @ 11
$20 includes t-shirt/Family of 4 $60
Event immediately following with Music from SOR and Wings of a Messenger
Food- La Sirena Grill, Cheeseburgers, Sweets & Wine Styles
Stella Dot Jewelry, Childrens Boutique, and much more.
Come enjoy the day and honor our friend, coach and teacher.

In need of:
Raffle Items
Silent Auction items (theme baskets, getaways, etc)
“Gently” worn or new Children’s clothing
Families to bake cookies, cakes, treats
Any businesses who would like an opportunity to share what they do and “Give Back” to this great family.
100% of all proceeds from this event will go to help support the Larsen family.

Questions? Want to help? Contact Susan Ingalls at susaningalls@sbcglobal.net or call (714) 308-8884.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Coach Todd's Rock 'N' Splash Relay Bash

Does this sound fun or what? Don't miss out on this awesome party!!!! Thank you Liz and team!
~Tiffany

What: Coach Todd's Rock 'N' Splash Relay Bash
When: Saturday, October 31st 9am - 2pm
Where: William Woollett Aquatics Center, 4601 Walnut Ave., Irvine, CA 92604
Who: Swimmers and non-swimmers of all ages that want to make a difference!
Why: Raise funds for the Larsen Family and raise awareness about leukemia

Registration fee of $10 will include:
- Coach Todd's custom latex swim cap
- Bag tag
- One raffle ticket for great prizes
- Lunch

Swimmers who raise pledges will win Rockin' prizes!
$25 - Custom Rock 'N' Splash T-shirt
$50 - Orange "rayban" style sunglasses and Custom Rock 'N' Splash T-shirt
$100 - $10 iTunes card, Orange "rayban" style sunglasses and Custom Rock 'N' Splash T-shirt
$250 - All of the above and a signed Jason Lezak swim cap!

Swimmers are encouraged to:
- Register in teams of eight (Individual swimmers or teams of four will be combined for a total of eight swimmers on a team)
- Choose a creative name for their team
- Set a team fundraising goal and work together to raise pledges
- Ask friends and families to join them

Prizes/Awards will be given to the:
- Top individual fundraiser
- Top three teams who raise the most funds
- Teams with the "Most Spirit"
- Team with the "Most Creative Name"
- ISL team with the most participants including "Ghost Swimmers"

Tentative Timeline and Festivities:
9:00 a.m. - Check-in, pledge/donation drop off and prize pick up
"Orange" pancake breakfast being served
10:00 a.m. - Warm-up
10:30 a.m. - 8 x 100 freestyle relay in honor of Coach Todd
11:00 a.m.
- Wacky Relays and Contests
- Music and Entertainment
- Olympic Medalists Kaitlin Sandeno, John Mykkanen and Janet Evans on deck for autographs and photos
swim cap for auction!!!
- 'Lil Shavers Shaved Ice
- Bone Marrow Registry and Leukemia Booths
12:00 p.m. - Lunch (Swimmers eat free - Food available for purchase)
1:00 p.m. - Awards and Raffle Prizes

Registration and Donations***
In Person: You may register at Woollett Aquatics Facility in the lobby: Monday-Friday 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. begining Wednesday October 7th - Friday October 30th.
By Mail: Attn: Elizabeth Eastin, PO Box 60552, Irvine, CA 92602 (email confirmation will be sent)
Donations can be made at any time, but pledges should be turned in at the event to receive prizes.

***Checks for registration or donation should be made payable to Todd and Kelly Larsen

Questions? Want to help? Contact Liz Eastin at lizzylew@sbcglobal.net or call 714-697-3306.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

"Hair" today, gone tomorrow

So, Todd's hair was starting to come out. Although it was a good look for the upcoming holiday, he was a bit early for Halloween, so he shaved it off. He looks good bald, don't you think? Leave it to Todd to pull it off!!

~Tiffany

Before...





After...

Thursday, October 1, 2009

14 days and counting...

The first two weeks have had its ups and downs. When I am on chemo I feel run down and sick, but when I am not...I feel fantastic. My appetite and taste buds have come back and all in all I am feeling pretty normal. Monday I will get my second bone marrow biopsy to see how my cancer cell growth is slowing. As for now, I am in a neutropenic precautionary status...which means no fresh fruit, veggies or raw foods due to bacteria. Because of my low immune system I am very susceptible to disease and infection.

I love the contact with everyone via email, twitter and comments on this blog site. You help keep my spirits up and remind me of what is most important in life...friends and family. A HUGE shout out to all my kids! Keep Rockin', swimmin', and just being the great kids that you are!

Love you all,
Todd