Sunday, March 20, 2011, started with Team LAPD boarding shuttle busses to Dodger Stadium at 5 am. It was cold, but very warm in comparison to what the weather would do to us later.

As soon as the race started for us so did the rain. It went between light rain, rain, heavy rain, torrential rain and through the cycle again. It was sooooo cold! The streets were flooded. We went through puddles ankle deep and our shoes couldn't get any wetter. The volunteers were soaking wet, but they stayed on the course so we could have food and water. :D

We all FINISHED!!! Despite our water logged, soggy clothes, shaking and chattering teeth we all had smiles for reaching our goal of crossing the finish line. And, TNT gave us a pin that says 26.2 on it that we can each wear as a badge of honor.

We are all very proud to have helped the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society raise over $600,000 (ALL TNT participants in the marathon) to eradicate blood cancer. We hoped that we honored Freddy, Nathaniel, and Ryan in our efforts, as they all inspire us with their brave fight agains leukemia.

Today, March 9th, go to any Chili's in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties, and the Simi Valley location between the hours of 4pm-10pm. Take the Team LAPD flyer (that you can download from http://www.lapdonline.org/ click on LAPD for Leukemia) and go enjoy a great meal. Take your family and friends to turn it into a celebration while helping to stomp out blood cancers.

If you're in the downtown LA area today or tomorrow, eat at Pitfire Pizza, 2nd/Main, and they will donate 5% when you tell them your meal is supporting Team LAPD. No flyer necessary.

Freddy, Nathaniel and Ryan thank you for working on a cure for them!

Happy eating :)

Today, 3/3/11, we are having a press conference in front of the new PAB at 11 am. All three of our honored team members, Freddy, Nathaniel, and Ryan should be here! We're very excited that Ryan can attend as he is just over 100 days since his life saviing bone marrow transplant.

We are still in need of your support to meet our Team LAPD fund raising commitment. We have a tastey way for you to help. On Wednesday, March 9th, ALL Chili's restaurants in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and the Chili's in Simi Valley will donate 15% of proceeds from your meal to Team LAPD! (Flyer required-flyers available soon)

You may also click on the donate button to the right to make a donation with your credit card; or you may mail a check made payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to: Team LAPD c/o Commander J. Villegas-ADOO, 100 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. It's that easy :)

Also, for those of you who may be in downtown on March 9th & 10th, consider having lunch or dinner at Pitfire Pizza,108 W. 2nd Street (2nd/Main). No flyer needed. When ordering advise the cashier your order is in support of "Team LAPD."

Thank you for your support.

GO TEAM LAPD!!

We hope 2011 is starting off well for everybody! We are still training to prepare for the LA Marathon. Some good Team LAPD news is that Nathaniel is back at school and Ryan's back home! That so SUCH good news!!

Ryan's recovery is going well so far. He was released from the hospital a few days before Christmas and the family was able to celebrate together at home instead of the hospital. Ryan had been in the hospital since before his bone marrow transplant in November.

Nathaniel's is progressing so well the doctor released him to go back to school when it resumed this month!

We can still use YOUR help. We have only raised 20% of our goal. Please click on the "donate" button and let your fingers (and credit card) do the talking! Or, if you prefer, you can make a check to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mail it to: 100 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, attention: Commander J. Villegas, ADOO.

Hello my name is Freddy Morales, I am a sophomore at Beckman High School. Recently, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was so scared hearing those words come out of the doctor’s mouth, and I knew from that point forward that I had to stay positive for my family and I. My question was, why me?

After having a talk with my dad, who told me to think positive, and give a 110%. I want to overcome my fight against leukemia and help find the cure to help millions of other people.

I appreciate all of the support from my school and all the people who have come to visit me. I know I can overcome this battle and share my experience to get the word out about leukemia and help many other patients’ and their families.

The more I think about this, I believe it is my challenge, or gift is to be able to help more people, other than just myself. For the people that read this, stay positive and live life to the

fullest!

STAY STRONG &

BE POSITIVE!

Freddy Morales Bio

Freddy is a 16 year old, sophomore, student athlete at Beckman High School in Irvine, CA. Freddy is the kicker for the junior varsity football team, and plays for the varsity soccer team at Beckman. Freddy has a passion for sports, and he is extremely devoted to his family, as they are to him.

Freddy was diagnosed on September 18, 2010 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). As of October 2, 2010 Freddy had received his forth chemotherapy treatment at CHOC Hospital in the city of Orange. Freddy is planning to come home today and will need to be careful in regards to his exposure to other people, due to his compromised immune system. Freddy will be unable to return to school until the fall of 2011, he will be receiving chemotherapy treatments in order to continue his battle with Leukemia for the next three years.

Freddy has a positive attitude regarding his ability to fight his disease, and talks about wanting to return to Beckman High School. He is wise beyond his years, and very hopeful that any focus brought to his medical condition will bring about support and awareness to all cancer patients, especially other kids with cancer.

Freddy’s parents are Alfredo, and Lilia Morales and he has two sisters, Lila and Angie. His family is rallying around Freddy, and is very dedicated to him, and is ready to fight with him to beat his disease. Prior to Freddy’s diagnosis both of his parents worked in order to support their family. Within the last week Freddy’s mom has had to quit her job in order to care for Freddy full time. Freddy and his family are extremely grateful for the moral support that they have received from his teammates, coaches, teachers, and fellow students at Beckman. Freddy’s teammates, parents of the Patriot football team and many more are in the process of planning fundraisers to help supplement their income to allow Freddy’s mom to continue to care for his medical needs. Freddy and his family are grateful for the support being offered to them, and also want to give their support by sharing his story to help bring about awareness to all patients battling cancer.