Dear Friend, On April 18, 2005, I'll be pounding the pavement from Hopkinton to Boston, determinedly putting one foot in front of another for more than 26 long, arduous miles. It won't be an easy journey. It'll take at least a few hours to complete. And I'll be tired and sore most of the way. But as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't get any better than crossing the finish line of what is arguably the most prestigious road race in the world, the Boston Marathon. I've enjoyed running since I was just a little boy, so for me, it's the thrill of a lifetime, a childhood dream come remarkably true. I'm lucky, though. Some children's dreams are mercilessly dashed due to dread, debilitating diseases and disorders that you and I can't even begin to imagine. Their challenge isn't a marathon - it is life itself, one difficult day at a time, courageously ontending with poor health, waiting for a cure, hoping to prevail despite seemingly overwhelming odds. It's for these children that I'm running the Boston Marathon this spring. Yes, as much as I'm excited to be among the marathon field of 20,000 athletes, it's much more important that I'll be running as one of the few, proud members of the Children's Hospital Kids at Heart Marathon Team, raising funds for one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country, located right here in Boston. Please help me help Children's Hospital make dreams come true for more boys and girls. Please sponsor my Boston Marathon run with a gift of $25, $15, $50 or more to Children's Hospital Boston. I'll be so grateful for your support. And so will the hospital. To make a secure, online donation… 1. Go to http://www.chtrust.org/kidsatheart/ 2. Click on "Sponsor a Runner" on the left-hand side of the screen. 3. Enter my last name, "Cargill" or my ID (CB0022) in the "Search for a Runner to Sponsor" fields. 4. Click on my name, "Bob Cargill," under Search Results, at the bottom of the page. 5. Donate to Children's Hospital Boston. Of course, if you prefer, you may write a check - payable to Children's Hospital Boston - and return it to my attention at 33 Oakwood Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776. Your generosity will help Children's Hospital help children like Hailey, a cute, little girl living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic disorder - characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause - for which there is not yet a cure. Imagine, Hailey is only six, but she's already suffered 47 broken bones and undergone a number of serious surgeries. Thanks to Children's Hospital, however, Hailey's OI is under control, and she's making the most of her young life. Your sponsorship of my run will mean a great deal to me, but it'll mean even more to the doctors, nurses and staff at Children's Hospital Boston - and the patients in their care. So please give us as much as you possibly can - today. I'll appreciate it. The hospital will appreciate it. And, most of all, the children (especially Hailey) will appreciate it. It is on their behalf that I just can't thank you enough. Sincerely, Bob Cargill Children's Hospital Kids at Heart Marathon Team P.S. Remember, to make a secure, online donation (before April 1, 2005, please), simply go to http://www.chtrust.org/kidsatheart/, click on "Sponsor a Runner" on the left-hand side of the screen, enter my name or my ID (CB0022) in the "Search for a Runner to Sponsor" fields, click on my name under Search Results and donate. It's that easy. P.P.S. Founded in 1869 as a 20-bed hospital for children, today Children's Hospital Boston is a 300-bed comprehensive center for pediatric health care and the primary pediatric teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School, where most of its physicians hold faculty appointments. If you'd like to learn more about the hospital, please don't hesitate to go to www.chtrust.org. P.P.P.S. If you know of others who might be interested in sponsoring my run and helping Children's Hospital Boston, please don't hesitate to share this appeal. Thanks again.