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Project 3000 Fundraiser

I'm sure you all remember, as I do, the tearful news conference Derrek Lee held in September 2006 when he first discovered that his daughter Jada had Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, a disease that will eventually blind her.

As D-Lee himself told those of us assembled for a fundraiser last night in Scottsdale, when he and his wife Christina saw Dr. Edwin Stone at the Carver Center at the University of Iowa to find out what sort of treatments were available for Jada, he also said, "What can we do to help?"

Of that question was born Project 3000, which aims to identify the 1-in-100,000 (of the USA's 300 million people, that would make 3000, thus the name) people who have this disease, then eventually find a cure. The project also aims to help find treatments for other eye diseases, including macular degeneration, which affects about one-third of all people over age 75, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Dr. Stone gave a lengthy presentation in which he noted, correctly, that if he had held a news conference about this, two people would have attended, and at least one of those would have been there by accident. But if Derrek Lee held one, it would get national attention. This is the way that professional athletes and other celebrities can get attention for worthy causes, and in D-Lee's case, it's extremely personal because it affects his daughter (who was not at the fundraiser).

In addition to donations, there was a silent auction of various items ranging from a "Cubs experience" in New York this September, to jewelry, to a week-long vacation at some swanky private residences in places like Cabo San Lucas, Paris and Florence.

All of which were too pricey for me; however, Mitch Beckman, director of development for Project 3000, expressed his gratitude to me for the $1450 I gave on behalf of all of you last night. Thanks also to BCB reader love the ivy, who generously donated one of her two T-shirts, which I presented to D-Lee, and which you see in the photo above. I had a brief talk with Derrek, told him where the shirt and money came from and wished him good luck this season. He and Christina were grateful for your generosity.

As am I. The generosity of time given by everyone involved in putting together the T-shirt project, and generosity of spirit and money given in the pledges that I presented last night, is something I know the people involved in Project 3000 genuinely appreciated.

I'll have a game thread up in a couple of hours.

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Well done Al
 and everyone who contributed.
Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 14, 2008 9:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I personally am amazed at the size of his fingers
 Thy're almost as big as his head!!!!
Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 14, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Which is probably one of the reasons...
... he has such soft, good hands defensively at 1B.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do ou think so?
Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 14, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, absolutely.
n/t
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good job Al
Good job Al.  And thanks to for posting such a drool inspiring pic of D Lee.
If you read this please include my friend Heather and my friend's mom Karen in your prayers. If you want to hear more email me.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Mar 14, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

what's
the symbol above the crossed bats
Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 14, 2008 10:05 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

It's a variation...
... of the logo that appeared on the uniform sleeve in the 1980's and early '90s. If I can find an image, I'll post it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

actually
I think its the on Ryno's sleeve here

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Mar 14, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right.
That's the one. Thanks for finding this photo.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

RYNO!!!!

Thanks - you just made my evening!!!!

"ROUS's? Rats of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."

by iluvryno on Mar 17, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm up for
a round of pledges this year, too, if others are.

by helen on Mar 14, 2008 10:17 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I've been thinking about doing that again.
I'll let you all know.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Same here, Al
Since I didn't take part the first time around
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"

by The Ryno and I Know on Mar 14, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Count me in
Count me in too and for anything you wind up doing for Tricia.
If you read this please include my friend Heather and my friend's mom Karen in your prayers. If you want to hear more email me.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Mar 14, 2008 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wonderful
Its refreshing to see people giving their time, money and energy towards a cause that is bigger than all of us.  I am very proud to be in any way shape or form apart of this site.  Thanks guys!
Play Ball!

by Lou In Blue on Mar 14, 2008 10:22 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

that's a very cool picture
I remember back when we first started talking about the idea of doing a shirt and donating the money to Project 3000. I'm very happy to be able to say that I added a little bit to that.
AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Mar 14, 2008 10:28 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Awesome.
Great job Al, and everyone who donated both time and money.
It's pretty amazing to see what a bunch of "strangers" can do.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 14, 2008 10:31 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks to Love the Ivy
pretty cool to see where your shirt actually went huh?  We appreciate your generosity.
MMMMM...Nutrisystem!

by Kinky Reggae on Mar 14, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes, very much so!
It is super cool to think it will be on his back instead of mine! I am glad this all worked out.

And I agree with the comment above that it is great to see what a group strangers can do. And truthfully, we won't really all be strangers once we meet each other at games this season rockin out the BCB shirts!

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." ~ Ernie Banks

by love the ivy on Mar 14, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wish
I had one of those shirts.
"When you have a fat friend there are no see-saws, only catapults." --Demetri Martin

by Reddevil on Mar 14, 2008 11:05 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Let me make some inquiries...
... and see if we can do this again.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd be interested too
Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 14, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Great Idea
Suspect the second time will go smoother given the lessons learned from the first go around.

by JFCubFan on Mar 14, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cool
It's awesome that a community of people can rally around a cause like this.  Props to everyone who participated.

It struck me as strange, though, that the organizers of the fundraiser felt that Derrek Lee needed a nametag.  

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Mar 14, 2008 11:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

True.
I was wondering about that myself.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's the beard.
The organizers were expecting the clean-shaven D-Lee from the ads, and they got BEARDZILLA, destroyer of worlds. The nametag was all they think of on such short notice.

by cwyers on Mar 14, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The beard...
... is actually neatly trimmed. Looks way better on him in person than it does in that photo, or in his official photo on the Cubs website.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey...
... if it gives him more power this year, then keep it!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 14, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

re: Hey...
Or, conversely, if DLee keeps hitting as poorly as he has so far in spring training, maybe he should shave it off.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 14, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I honestly wouldn't worry about that.
It's, what, 28 at-bats? His BABIP is .143 - anyone see him sustaining that over the course of a season?

I didn't think so.

So quit hassling BEARDZILLA. It's done nothing wrong.

by cwyers on Mar 14, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

re: I honestly wouldn't worry about that.
I know, I know...I'm trying to quell the embers of panic smoldering in my soul, but I can't quite do so until I see DLee take one deep or go 3 for 4 or something. I also can't help thinking of how poorly Big Z pitched last summer after he got those highlights in his hair. Is there a correlation between a player's personal grooming and production? I'll let you crunch those numbers.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 14, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hopefully
Lee will wear that shirt under his jersey one game.  KARMA BABY
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 14, 2008 11:31 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Well done, Al...
...and all contributors. This is another example of something that really sets this Cubs blog apart from others on the 'Net.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 14, 2008 11:51 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

that's...
A good looking man right there.

by thegangler on Mar 14, 2008 12:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Great picture
of Derrek with the shirt. Congratulations to all who helped with the donation.

by sue369 on Mar 14, 2008 1:50 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Also not really related
Also not really related but not worthy of it's own diary but I wanted to make a quick note on how touched I've been with all the emails I've received asking about my signature.

I've replied to you all individually and thank you for the support!

If you read this please include my friend Heather and my friend's mom Karen in your prayers. If you want to hear more email me.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Mar 14, 2008 3:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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