Recently I decided to sign up for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride with TNT to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society again. I know what you’re thinking, 100 miles is a lot… don’t worry I have been thinking the same thing. I can’t believe I am going to go from being able to only ride 25 miles at best to riding 30, 50, and eventually 100.

The exciting and very crazy thing is I have yet to complete this challenge that lays before me. I love the freedom and the power being able to push myself to achieve such a goal provides, but I also must admit that sometimes when I get up to ride I want to sit back down. Sometimes, to be quite honest, I don’t think I can do it but I can.

Thinking about my experiences these last few weeks I now know it is about way more than riding. It’s about helping others and finding that thing and striving for that thing that makes you want to do your very best or that thing that makes you happiest. I know for each of you it might not be riding, but there is something be it: family, philanthropy, your career, cooking, getting in shape, getting to know yourself better, or developing a relationship with God—there is something that you are pursuing or something you want to achieve that will make you a better you.

To accomplish my goal I need your help. I am writing to see if you will support me in my run and help me raise money for this great cause by donating to my site where you can also keep track of my progress. No matter how big or how small, I need your help and your support.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ks/ambbr13/tenaciousturtle

http://ridin4acure.blogspot.com/

You can make a donation directly to my site today or contact me directly about mailing your donation to me. You can follow my progress and learn more about JC Delamore, our honorary hero who we are riding in honor of.

Our little Superhero Maya earned her angel wings late last night. It's a sad day for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society community but Maya again has inspired us to fight on. Maya was diagnosed at 14 months of age with ALL (a type of Leukemia). The last year and a half Maya has fought the disease strong while maintaining her girly, sparkle obsessed attitude. She was our inspiration over our summer season while we trained in the heat and humidity for you events in her honor. We knew if Maya couldn't take a break from her treatment then we wouldn't take a break either. Yesterday Maya's mom posted she was weak and with a cough so was admitted to the hospital. Sadly her condition worsened and Jesus felt he needed her more in heaven then on this earth. Please pray for her sweet family.

Every hour we volunteer or every dollar that someone donates is one step closer to finding a cure. No one thought we would find a cure overnight when they started funding research thru TNT almost 25 years ago but the successes have been amazing. The survival rate for leukemia was around 5% when Team in Training was founded and we are proud to say it's now around 85% thanks to the research funded by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It's hard to understand why Maya's little body couldn't beat this and why this even happens at all. But I do know that Maya has taught her doctors, nurses and all the medical community something valuble we just may not be aware of. And I know she also taught us how important it is to keep fighting for a cure. Please volunteer your time, give of your money or DO SOMETHING!!!!

If you do not wish to give via email: please make your check or money order out to LLS and send it directly to me at: 218 E. Showalter Street, Rose Hill, KS 67133