Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

In October of 2008, I completed my first half marathon. It was the most amazing experience of my life, so far. Now I am embarking on my 2nd marathon again with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this time on June 27th in Seattle.

My life was touched for the first time by leukemia in September of 1992 when my dad, Jeff, was diagnosed with Leukemia. I never really knew anything about the disease nor anyone who had been diagnosed. It was a short yet fierce battle and he passed away after participating in experimental procedures in February 1994. Just 15 years ago it is hard to believe. My dad was amazing, funny and a dreamer. For this reason I will always strive to do everything to the best of my abilities and to walk in his memory.

This year I am also walking in honor of a courageous young man, Andy Cook. He was recently diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Oct. 29, 2008 and is now in remission. He has been undergoing extensive chemotherapy, as an outpatient, in St. Louis. Andrew was a Junior Psychology major at the University of Missouri, Columbia when he was diagnosed at the University Hospital. We are hopeful that he might be able to go back to Mizzou in the fall. But while at home is still attending classes while going through treatment. Andrew is an accomplished young man who is a scholar, an athlete, plays Lacrosse and was a Kappa Sigma at Mizzou.

By signing up with the �Team In Training� program, I have also agreed to another challenge besides just walking � raising a minimum of $3,800 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Leukemia kills more children between the ages of 0 and 14 than any other disease, and it strikes 10 times as many adults as it does children. Since its founding, the Leukemia Society�'s Team in Training program has attracted more than 360,000 participants who have raised more than $900 million dollars for lifesaving cancer research and a way to help blood cancer patients live longer and better lives.

I am writing to ask you to contribute as you can to the Leukemia Society in honor of Andy and in memory of my dad, Jeff. Your contribution will help to continue the research that one day will eradicate this disease. It will help make life easier for the men, women and children that face the challenges of living with Leukemia every day.

Whatever you can give will help � it all adds up. The deadline is May 31, 2009. You can use the link below to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/rnrseatl09/dgaby

Or you can send a check made out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to:

Dana Gaby

13419 Land O Woods Unit #8

St. Louis, Mo 63141

I am hoping that my participation in Team in Training will help bring them hope and support. On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Wish me luck and thank you again for your support and encouragement,

Dana

p.s. This is the last picture I have of my dad. I was doing an internship at Walt Disney World and they came down for Thanksgiving. He went into the hospital a week later at University of Minnesota Health Center.