Racing to Save Lives (Vermont City 2009)

Dear Family and Friends,

As some of you know, in 2008 my mom was diagnosed with a type of leukemia called Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Obviously, this news was devastating at first, but about 6 months later, I chose to do something about it by joining Team in Training (TNT). The experience was amazing and I have been with TNT ever since. I’ve worked very hard and I have gained so much support from this team throughout the past four seasons. I have been a participant, a mentor and now am working towards getting certified as a run coach. Many of you reached out and donated during my last fundraising event: The Vermont City Marathon in 2009. Well, I continue to thank you for that, but I’m asking for your help again.

This April, I will be running the Country Music Marathon in Nashville Tennessee. This will be my 6th marathon, unless I get crazy and find another one before April 30th. As you might have noticed, these distance events are addicting. Team in Training has opened me to an amazing experience getting to fight against a disease that has hit so close. If you can, please help me raise money to continue fighting blood cancers like CLL. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has already come a far way in their efforts to wipe out blood cancers, but blood cancers are still out there and this is something we all can do to help in the fight.

I am training as hard as I can, sometimes running 60 miles a week with only 4 toenails, in hopes that the money TNT brings in from events like these will find the cure that currently does not exist for the type of Leukemia that my mom has. Right now, my mom is in what is called stage 0. This is a very good thing and gives me the hope that TNT, The Leukemia and Lymphoma society and people like us can help to find the cure in time! It is so frustrating to be told that we just have to “watch and wait.” I couldn’t really work well with that idea. I had to do something. That’s where TNT comes in.

You can visit my site at http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/cmc11/cbrandom.

Once you are there, you can read more about this "adventure.”. You can choose to donate money, or just read about this goal and see my progress. I would love your support emotionally and anything you give monetarily would certainly be greatly appreciated.

Team in Training is an organization that I am very proud to be a part of. Though I may be sore, or running in -15 degree wind chills, I am working with a very committed team of coaches, mentors, and athletes who all have the same goal: to wipe out cancer. Their goal is to find a cure for blood cancers within the next 5 years. Any money you donate goes directly to research and supporting patients who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer.

If you can donate something, I know that it will being going to a good cause; one that truly is doing everything they can with the money that is brought in. However, if you can’t donate right now, please follow along and support me through your thoughts, cheers, and encouragement.

Some of you, who donated last time, may have followed along on my blog. Though I started to drop off with posts, I do plan on picking it up again. However, with my new email, came the time for a new blog. If you'd like to follow along with my training program, check out my NEW blog at: http://tinypurplerunner.blogspot.com. Thank you in advance for your support.

Thanks again. Love Always,

Carlee

p.s. If you are able to donate $30 or more, you will receive a custom made CD of some of my favorite running songs!