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Racing to Save Lives

Welcome

to my Team In Training home page.

For those of you who don't know, on November 6th, 2002 my sister Dani, the mother of a 3 year old girl and a 4 month old boy, was diagnosed with Leukemia. She started chemotherapy that night. Our Mom flew out the next day to be with the kids so Steve, her husband, could be with Dani while she underwent treatment. It was a very emotional time for our family. I was living in Rexburg, Idaho attending Brigham Young University-Idaho at the time. When I got the call I remember feeling so helpless and isolated. I couldn't get to my family fast enough. That night is somewhat of a blur to me, but there are some things that stand out to me, like the overwhelming desire to do something to help my sister. Now, 7+ years later, I'm finally in a place to help other people like my sister.

Dani's journey is a unique one in that it didn't take her years to beat this blood cancer; however the time she did have to spend undergoing treatments was the hardest time of our lives. Dani's Chemo treatments weren't outpatient; every time that Dani had to receive Chemo she was hospitalized and wasn't allowed to be with her children. She had to live in a "sterile" environment, even at home. That included not having fresh food or plants, and homemade items were banned. She was lucky enough to come from a large family, a family who would do anything for each other. When the time came for a stem cell transplant, all 7 of her siblings were tested. Out of 7, only 1 was a match. Suzanne was her perfect match (and also happened to be the only one scared to death of needles in our family!) and so Suzanne flew out to Kansas to mass produce stem cells and then have them harvested. On March 20th, 2003 Dani received her transplant after more Chemo. Following the transplant she was in isolation at the hospital and then moved to a "cancer house" for three more weeks. During this time she was not allowed to see her children.

About 8 months after the transplant she was told that she was cured. She hasn't had any relapses since. We feel very blessed to have gone through this experience and to have a happy ending.

I started running 3.5 years ago. One 5k led to another and another and eventually to a 10K, and then a 1/2 Marathon and then another 1/2 Marathon. When I first started running Dani was so excited for me. She wanted me to immediately plan on running a marathon. I laughed at her then, but now it's very much a possibility in the not too distant future. She also wanted me to do a race with Team in Training. So, I'm doing a race with them, and I need your help to make mine and my sister's dream come true. Please use this as an opportunity to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by supporting me in my training. All donations are tax deductible. Once I reach my goal of $3,900 I'll be off to run in the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon this June in honor of my sister in our home town.

Thank you for your support, both by donating and by believing in me.