Hey Friend: I'm really grateful for the note that our Leader in the Senate Harry Reid sent to his online friends and family yesterday and wanted to share it with you -- it was unbelievably thoughtful of Harry to help, especially at a time when he has the weight of the world on his shoulders - so please take a read - I'm driving out to Sturbridge this afternoon to get ready for tomorrow's ride for cancer - Lance Armstrong and I are riding a long leg of the ride together for a cause that matters to both of us on a personal note as survivors - so I do hope you can read Harry's email and pitch in - 110 miles tomorrow, wish me luck, and let's together beat cancer -- JK

Forwarded message:

From: Harry Reid [no-reply@harryreid.com]
Reply To: info@harryreid.com
To: John Kerry
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2011 5:17:24 PM
Subject: Make a difference today in the fight against cancer

Dear John,

Over the past few weeks, my colleagues and I have been working flat-out to keep our nation�s working people and middle class folks safe from the battles raging on both sides of the aisle. In this fight it's about values, and about priorities.

But so is another fight -- this one outside of Washington. And that�s the fight against cancer.

We�re all touched by it. Over these last weeks I�ve thought so many times about the Lion of the Senate, Ted Kennedy. After fighting so hard for so many people, his last battle was against the ravages of the cancer that took his life.

That�s personal to each of us who loved Ted -- but especially for the Senator from Massachusetts, my friend John Kerry, who served with him all those 24 years. John beat prostate cancer, himself, and his wonderful wife Teresa has battled breast cancer these last couple years.

John does something every year that he doesn�t talk about much. He gets on a bike and rides 110 miles to raise money to fight cancer. I�ve talked to him many times in those early mornings as he�s come into the Senate after his pre-dawn training rides. John does this ride thinking of Ted Kennedy, thinking of Teresa, and thinking of friends, family, and staffers he�s had who have battled cancer -- and who are even fighting it today.

Well, I�d like to help John this year � and I hope you will pitch in too.

On Saturday, John Kerry will ride 110 miles in the PanMass Challenge, raising money for cancer treatment and prevention, and I�m asking you right now: please contribute to support this vital cause.

This year it�s especially personal to John, because of Teresa�s cancer experience. There�s probably someone in your life who�s fought the disease, or have cared for someone who has. Like me, maybe you can channel those experiences and those thoughts into John�s ride.

You know what a fight it is, but you also know how far we�ve come. Cancer treatments are more effective than they ever have been before. But continuing that progress depends on all of us, giving what we can, contributing when we get the chance. Saving lives will happen because of you, because of me, and because of my friend John Kerry.

Please contribute as much as you can today for this vital cause. Even $20 will make a big difference.

Do it for John Kerry, for Teresa, in memory of Ted Kennedy or friends you know touched by this disease -- but most of all please just do it -- it makes a difference!

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Harry Reid

Every day, I see Barack make choices he knows will affect every American family. That's no small task for anyone -- and more proof that he's earning every last one of those gray hairs.

This has been a busy week in Washington, but today happens to be Barack's 50th birthday. I'm writing to you because this year, the girls and I would like to do something a little different.

I'm asking friends and supporters of this campaign to wish him a happy birthday by signing his card, and sharing why you're on this journey with us.

Your names and notes will become part of a book that tells the story of this campaign -- who's building it, why we're in this thing, and what he means to us. We'll deliver a copy to Barack and send one to our campaign offices across the country.

Sign the card for Barack.

I've known Barack for more than 20 of his 50 years, and we've been through quite a lot together.

It still amazes me that no matter how many decisions and distractions he's faced with every day, he's always able to focus on the bigger picture. One way he does that is by making time for stories and letters from people like you -- because he knows that this job isn't about him, but about the millions of folks around the country he's fighting for.

This next year will challenge us all to work harder than ever before, but the crucial thing is that you're here now, early on, helping to build this campaign.

I know that, like Barack and me, you have your own reasons why, so I hope you'll take a moment to sign the card and share your story with him and other supporters of this campaign.

http://my.barackobama.com/Birthday-Card

Thanks for being a part of this,

Michelle