For Dad and Kelly

Hi everyone! As many of you know, I've completed four marathons over the past two years. If you hopped into a hot tub time machine in 2008 and have just arrived in 2011, this news will surely shock you.

While you may question my sanity, you can't argue with the cause. I've done all these marathons since joining The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma from taking more lives.

My inspiration stemmed from a very sad double-whammy in 2008. In June of that year, my Dad passed away after battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Less than three months later, my three-year old niece Kelly was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Kelly was in treatment for more than two years and had to spend far more time around doctors and hospitals than a little girl should. Fortunately, the success rate for children with ALL has increased significantly over the years. Kelly finished her treatment on November 20 and is cancer-free!

The photo at the top of the page was taken halfway through the Philadelphia Marathon on November 21 - yes, the day after Kelly finished her treatment! As with all my marathons, I wore my dad's hat. This bit of symbolism was particularly significant this time, since that day was my parents' wedding anniversary. The sign on my back drew lots of supportive comments along the course and helped to spread positive energy throughout the 26.2 miles. Hey, who says Philly fans aren't friendly? Given the timing, and the fact that two long stretches took place on KELLY Drive, it was an amazingly inspirational and meaningful experience.

So what's the next adventure? On June 18, I'll run the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage! That's right, I'll be running along with moose and bears. Plus, the former governor tells me I'll see Russia from the course! I'll run in memory of Dad once again - on Father's Day weekend. And I'll run in honor of Kelly, who during our training season will - at long last - have a birthday without cancer! As all children should!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Click "Donate Now" and fill out the required fields. If your company has a matching gift program, please arrange for that as well! I have a W-9 form for LLS if you need to provide one to your company for the match - please email me at jackdoc70@verizon.net if you need one. Also, please email me if you prefer to pay by check instead of donating online.

Thanks so much for honoring Dad and Kelly with your support! On June 18, once again I'll prove that I look good in purple - and Dad's hat. GO TEAM!

Jack