IRONMAN WISCONSIN: Soft-hearted Ironman
11:16 PM 9/02/03
Nick Zizzo Wisconsin State Journal

Michael McLean has a new purpose in life. Actually, LIFE is the purpose.

Shortly after his younger brother Eric was diagnosed with leukemia July 22, Michael McLean founded LIFE - The Leukemia Ironman Fundraiser for Eric.

Michael is using his participation in Sunday's Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon, a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in and around Madison, to raise funds that will go to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for research.

The 21-year-old University of Wisconsin senior has raised nearly $5,400, more than halfway to his goal of $10,000. He said he has received an average of $150 per day since starting the fund in late July.

"It just feels really good inside knowing that (Michael) cares that much about me and my disease," said Eric, who has been living with his parents in Two Rivers since being discharged from a hospital two weeks ago.

Caring is one thing, but Michael is taking it a giant leap forward. Though Eric, 19, is in remission - he will have a biopsy Friday to see if the leukemia has returned - he still needs a bone marrow transplant. Eleven days after competing in the Ironman, Michael will be the donor as the two were near-identical matches for the procedure.

"(There was) not a lot of thinking involved," Michael said of his decision.

Where Michael, a two-year member of UW's triathlon club team, finishes in the Ironman is secondary. The main thing is that his brother will be in Madison to watch the race.

"I'm not actually thinking a whole lot about the race," Michael said. "I know I'm going to finish. I feel good. But a lot of training time this summer has been compromised because of this whole thing.

"I've got a mental edge that most don't."

It comes directly from Eric, who is due for his third round of chemotherapy treatment days before the transplant.

How the disease came about remains a mystery to the McLean family and doctors. Eric was diagnosed shortly after having his wisdom teeth pulled, though none of the parties think there is a correlation.

"I've been in perfect health all my life and all of a sudden I just started passing out," Eric said. "The next thing we knew I had leukemia."

Michael, though, has seen a noticeable turn for the better of late.

"(Eric) looks awesome. For that two months he was in the hospital he looked just terrible," Michael said. "He was pale, his hair started falling out and he couldn't even talk on the phone (because) he was in so much pain."

Joked Eric: "I just might run out there next to him (on Sunday). I might cross the finish line with him or something."

For those wishing to make a donation, please make checks payable to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mail to Michael McLean, 222 Langdon St., Madison, WI 53703.