I've wanted to find a solid, meaningful philanthropy where I also enjoy the activities and people involved. Thanks to the example and encouragement my good friend, Gina D'Amato, an Oncologist, I am very excited to have found a home with TNT.

At the fall season TNT kickoff, everyone in the room was asked to stand. Survivors of blood cancers were asked to sit and then anyone who with a close loved one impacted by leukemia, lymphoma, hodgkin's disease and other blood cancers to sit. I was one of a few still standing. The many triumphant and tragic stories I've heard in a short period of time are incredible and moving. And it's clear that LLS is making a huge impact in funding research for cures and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

I'm incredibly fortunate to not have lost a close friend or family member to this epidemic. To make my TNT experience all the more meaningful, part of my training efforts will be to collect stories from people I know about how they've been impacted, as well as donations for research and assistance for patients and their families. So, please share your story and contribute what you can. When race day comes, it will be a lot more meaningful for me if I bring stories from people I know and care about with me.

I'll be training 5 days a week, some with my team and some on my own, leading up to the San Francisco Nike Women's Marathon and 1/2 Marathon on October 14th. TNT gives us a whole training schedule as well as providing all kinds of clinics on nutrition, injury avoidance, proper attire, and much more. This is an impressive, buttoned up organization. I know that I'll meet many terrific people along the way, make new friends and will be in the best shape I've ever been in. And to top it off, purple is one of my favorite and best colors!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and donate toward my efforts. I will keep you posted as I progress in my training and my journey.

Warmly,

Leslie