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Racing to Save Lives

Hello friends and family! Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

Well, I am finally doing something that I have wanted to do for a long time.... run 26.2 miles!

I will be running a marathon in Seattle, Washington this summer. I am training with the Central Illinois Team in Training Team and will be running in the Rock 'n Roll Marathon on June 27th.

The funds that I will raise will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS). All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

The cute little girl to the right is Tess Swearingen. She lives in Morton, Illinois and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma on January 20th. Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that is prevalent in young children and infants. Although Tess's form of cancer is not a blood cancer, I feel that she represents the superheroes that are battling any type cancer. And, it is in honor of fighters like Tess who I will be running for on June 27th. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress.

Also, please check out Tess Swearingen's page to keep updated on how she is doing at St. Jude's at: www.caringbridge.com/visit/princesstess

Thanks for your support!

With love,

Candice

UPDATE:

May 18, 2009== Yesterday I ran 18 miles! Although I am sore today, I am so proud of myself that I was able to accomplish this! Just to think... only 8.2 miles for a marathon... I just need to keep telling myself that I can do this! I am having a little knee pain that usually starts around my 11th mile. I am doing some exercises to help this. Also, I would appreciate any prayers that you can send my way for a fast recovery. Tess and her parents, Libby and Spencer, are in Memphis and had a great weekend. Tess's spirits have been really high and she has been like the "old Tess" which is soooo great!!! Her parents requests prayers for....no fevers, rising wbc and ANC, pheresis to occur in MAY, safe travels for their friends and family

their Aunt Sarah's leg, their Grandpa Walt's battle, Stephanie's stamina taking care of their kids, their families and friends for the extra love and support and HELP!, the St. Jude team , their St. Jude friends. Also, continue to follow Tess's brave fight against neuroblastoma on http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/princesstess

Thanks love ones!!!!

May 3, 2009== My milage has definitely increased and I am running and feeling great. This nice weather lately has definitely made it a lot easier to go outside and pound some pavement!! It's crazy to think that just a month ago is was bundled in layers! During all this training and fundraising, it is important not to lose sight of this awesome cause. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does such amazing things for our friends that are battling cancer. Organizations such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society & St. Judes make it possible for people to continue to fight the fight! I am so grateful to have people in my life that help me raise money to support these organizations. It amazes me that although our country is in a tough financial state, you all open your hearts and donate. Thank you for being you! As for the cutey to the right! She is doing well. Tess has continue to have some bad days and some goods days, but the Swearingens are just happy to be spending more time at home! I hope to be able to go visit soon! Again, thanks for everything! I love you all very much!

March 28, 2009== Just finished a ten-miler and feeling great! Can't believe the marathon is less than 3 months away. Thanks for everyone who donates to my fundraising efforts. I am so blessed to have you all in my life. I am so blessed to running this marathon for such a great cause. Please keep Tess in your prayers. She is fighting so hard to get healthy... she could use your prayers! I love you all!

March 9, 2009== Training has been going great so far! I absolutely love being part of TNT and running for such a great cause. The runs have been up to 8 miles so far and they feel great. Thank you again for being a part of this amazing journey in my life. Tess has been doing great. She just finished another round of chemo at St. Jude's in Memphis and gets to come home for a week!! She has been such a brave little fighter. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts, hearts, and prayers. With love, Candice

*** Please keep Tess and her family your prayers. They have just arrived in Memphis, TN at the St. Jude Research Hospital. She will begin her initial rounds of chemotherapy. GO PRINCESS TESS!!!