Hi everyone,

Thanks to all of you who have already donated. Your contributions are so appreciated by the LLS and the people battling blood cancers. Since I began training two months ago, I go to practice with the team every Sunday morning.

Before we run, we often hear from people living with with blood cancers, our "honor teammates." It's incredible to listen to their stories, to feel their strength as they share, and to get a real sense of how much the LLS's research does to save and enhance the qualities of their lives.

Last week, we heard from a woman named Grace, who has been lymphoma-free for six years. She goes to get her blood tested every three months and she said that when she sits in the doctors office and waits for the results, she pictures all of the Team in Training members she's encountered since she was diagnosed. She thinks about how much TNT contributions have done to keep her alive.

I think when I'm running the half marathon on September 5th, I'll have a picture of Grace in my mind. I am halfway into my training (a 6 mile run this morning!) and am a third of the way through my fundraising goal. If you haven't already donated and you'd like to, any contribution would be wonderful. Thanks in advance from me and from people like Grace!

Lauren

Racing to Save Lives

Hello and thanks for visiting my Team In Training home page!

I'm training to run a half-marathon on September 5, 2010. The race takes place on the very majestic grounds of Disneyland, and the group I will be running with is called Team In Training. Team in Training helps raise funds to research treatment and cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma.

I am running in honor of all people battling blood cancers, but also in special memory of my grandfather, Edward Victor Velevis, who died last January from leukemia. My whole life, every time I called Grandpa Vic to tell him how things were going, he would say the same words right before he hung up the phone: "Lauren, you make it happen."

As I embark on my training for the half-marathon, I'm keeping Grandpa Vic's words in mind, and I hope my participation in this event will help "make it happen" for others who are suffering from blood cancers.

I know that many of us have been affected by some form of cancer and can recognize the importance of foundations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you can, please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Any amount will help, even if it's only $5 or $10. I'll appreciate whatever you can give!

I've never done anything like this before and am excited--and a little nervous--to begin training. Thanks very much for your support!

Lauren

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