My Fundraising Page

I am Hiking to Save Lives!

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

This year one of my personal goals is to hike the highest mountain in Yosemite: Half Dome! Those who know me know that I am afraid of heights....

I'm training to participate in this endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

For me it was not until two years ago that I did find out that I had a fear of hights. At the time I was training to be a Gladiator for the TV Show "American Gladiators".

During the 2 weeks of intense training we went through all the different physical challenges that are the games on the show: Joust, hanging like a monkey on the rings and learning how to swing on them and climbing up the training wall while beeing timed for speed. Everything was good. I was ready to put on my angry face and play the part of the Gladiator!

On the very last day of training we, for the first time, were allowed to go and see the actual (real size) show stage (not just our "little" training stage). We learned to run over the bridge that actually hangs quite high above water and is not stable at all. I was scared, but I made it. Everything seemed ok.

The very last task was: "Just" climb up the rock climbing wall, which happened to not just be the 10 feet we used to climb during training, but 40 feet tall!

I went on the 40 foot wall and started climbing with speed as we were timed... and then at about half way made the huge mistake of looking down: For the first time in my life I realized I was afraid of heights! And right there I thought: I am afraid, so I got to get up there to show myself it's all in my mind.

It took me a while to make it all the way to the top of that wall, but I did it! I also knew I never wanted to do it again.... ever..until now.

Eleanor Roosevelt said:

"I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do..."

My battle with heights is nothing compared to someone diagnosed with any form of cancer.

When something like cancer comes into your life you battle for your life! You need that harness, that you know will hold you. Even though your life gets turned upside down, you know you need to make it to the top of that wall, no matter how scared you are.

This is why I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood 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. Thanks for your

support!

For more Updates please visit my blog : Frieda Online