Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page. I am training to run P.F. Chang's Rock N' Roll Arizona Marathon on 18 January 2009 in Phoenix.

Meet Reese and her mom, Brandy. Reese is our honored hero; I am running and raising money for children like her. Reese is 3 years old and has spent half of her young life undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia ("ALL"). She loves Hannah Montana, dancing, and dressing up. Although she's currently in remission, she still has nine months of chemo left.

In mid-July, I suffered a compression stress fracture in my right hip. Last week I had surgery to place three screws into the femoral neck, which will allow the fracture to heal faster and better. The injury I have is quite common among elite runners and gymnasts, as is the surgical repair. I can't drive right now, but hope to start physical therapy soon. My doctor and I expect a full recovery. I'm disappointed that I won't be running with the people I've been training with for the past few months, but change is the name of the game!

Some of you may want to know where your money goes. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society not only earmarks money for new treatments, but also helps families, such as Reese's, with financial support, by paying deductibles and co-pays for those with insurance, while giving additional monetary support to families without insurance. Chemotherapy can cost $150,000, while bone marrow transplants (considered as "experimental" by some insurance companies) can cost $250,000. In fact, it is through funding from the TNT program that a drug called Gleevec was created. This drug is now being used to treat and, in some cases, cure leukemia.

This website does not reflect donations made through cash or check. Thus, I want to thank Adrian Zeno, Sherrill McCausland, Robert Williams, Edgard Schwab, Sharon Collitt, Brenda Laura, the Holmans, Tom and Lois Schwab, Sue Hughes, Linda Hyman, Roselyn Ball, Doug Matthews, Simone Ekstein. Linda Stone, DJ Serkes, Darlene Sokol, Frank Slohn, Gabbi Boos, Michael Meunier, Elise dela Houssaye, David and Carol Ryan, and Becky Becker for their generous support. In addition, the fabulous artist, Ray Cole, donated one of his hand-painted scarves that was raffled at my work place. Many thanks to everyone at 400-410 Royal Street for their generosity. With the off-line donations, I have raised about $4300; since I surpassed the fundraising minimum, I now have a personal goal of $5000.

In addition to Reese, I have dedicated my training and event participation to Joeseph Brandmeyer, a man who was a father to me for 26 years. In 1993, Joe died of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Since that time, thanks to donors like yourselves, new treatments for AML and ALL have been discovered and remissions are now possible. However, much more work needs to be done.

Please use the link in this email 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/la/nikesf08/start66

If you prefer to donate by check, please make the check payable to Sue Tart (I will make the donation online so the amount is reflected above) and mail it to 5936 Brighton Pl., NOLA, 70131. I can send you a self addressed stamped envelope if you wish; just let me know at start66@cox.net.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Sue Tart

P.S. I would appreciate it if you would forward this email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well.