26.2 miles... and kicking cancer's butt every step of the way!

A few weeks ago I posted about my new obsession with running, and shared with you how much it has changed my life in just a short amount of time. I'm happier, I'm healthier, and more importantly, I just plain enjoy doing it. My initial goal in beginning to run was to be able to run a half-marathon at some point this year. But the more I ran, the more I realized just how much I truly loved getting out on the pavement and working out. I looked forward more and more to my runs, and I was thrilled with the progress I was making on my weekly mileage. As the days and weeks went by and I became more physically, mentally, and emotionally healthier, I began to mull over the idea of using my love of running for something other than just personal growth and gain. With every stride, every block, every mile I conquered, I contemplated how I could use my new found hobby to help others around me. And then it hit me...

I can run to combat cancer.

There are so many people in my life... in my friends' and families' lives... that have battled some form or another of this deadly disease. Some have come out victorious, while others have lost their fights. Some of been in remission for 5, 10, even 20 years. Others lived for only a short time after being diagnosed, and spent those sweet last moments surrounded by loving family and friends. And through every experience, time and time again, each has longed, begged, and prayed for a solution. For a hope. For a cure. And while I may not be able to provide that cure for them, I can do my part to provide them a bit of hope for their futures.

But I won’t be doing this alone! I’ve joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training (TNT). TNT provides an endurance training program and a fundraising program that readies participants to run a marathon. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me right, a marathon. On Sunday, June 6^th, I will be running 26.2 miles in the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. And I will be doing it all for the benefit of local men, women, and children battling leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cancers.

The statistics of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cancers are staggering. Currently, more than 900,000 Americans are hoping each and every day for cures for these cancers. Every 5 minutes, a new patient is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Every 10 minutes, one will lose the fight. Tragically, leukemia causes more deaths among children and young adults under twenty than any other type of cancer. But there is hope! To date, LLS has invested more than $680 million dollars in medical research. This funding has contributed to rising cure rates and many of the new treatments that are giving hope to families everywhere.

These treatments give hope to people like Aimee, Ian, and Bryna. Aimee was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2004 at the age of 32. She continues her fight today, searching and hoping for new treatments, drugs, and trials that will help her to battle this “smoldering disease.” So far, her two rounds of radiation, one bone marrow transplant, and several rounds of trial drugs have not cured her of her disease. Her daily prayer is that God will give her strength and help her doctors to find a cure that will make it possible for be healthy enough to remain at home with her husband and young son, Michael. Ian was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2007 at the age of three. At the age of five, he continues chemotherapy but is now in remission. Bryna, a TNT honoree for over five years, was diagnosed with a rare form Leukemia at the age of two. Six years, 100’s of needle pricks, 25 spinal taps, 15 bone marrow aspirates, and one successful bone marrow transplant later, Bryna is happy and healthy and enjoying life as a normal 3^rd grader.

Aimee and Bryna

Ian and Bryna

Bryna and me at our first official Team in Training meeting

As a member of Team in Training, I have made a commitment not only to train to run in the marathon, but also to raise $2,500 for LLS. For every dollar raised, at least 75% will directly fund research, education, and patient support programs. It will go to patients like Aimee, Ian, and Bryna who are still fighting and still surviving today due to the donations of people like you and me. Even though I will be the one running every step of those 26.2 miles, I cannot do it alone. It will only be possible with the help and support of family and friends.

I am hoping to reach my fundraising goal by April 1st. Every donation is appreciated (and tax deductible!). I'd ask that each of you, weather you are able to donate or not, stop by my fundraising website. Click on the button below to be directly linked to my TNT fundraising site. On it I'll post regular updates to my status, as well as pictures of practices and TNT events!

I know not all of you will be able to donate at this time. But I ask that even if you are unable to give financially at this time, that you would be generous in your support, well-wishes, and prayers for me as I venture on this exciting and challenging journey. Your encouraging words will keep me motivated through the aches and pains and miles of pavement I'll cover from now until the race in June. Even though you may not be with me on race day, you'll be with me in spirit as I cross that finish line.

Words cannot express how emotional being a member of Team in Training has been for me. I've cried both tears of joy and sorrow as I've met our honorees, heard their stories and those of my teammates, and shared with others about my love of running and this organization. I am thrilled to share my journey with you here on my blog, and thank you in advance for partnering with me along this wild ride!

*Stay tuned for many more updates, including information on prizes for donations and inspirational stories from our team!