This past year there has been a piece of me that has been missing. I've been attempting to fill this void in my heart that seemed irreplaceable. The problem was- I had no idea what that piece once contained.

Until now that is.

I've missed Team In Training.

I've missed training for a purpose.

I've missed having these wonderful, good hearted people in my life-

all set out for one thing..

To help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers.

In 2005 my dad trained to cycle the perimeter of Lake Tahoe, a centurie ride, as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. At that time, I could not fathom why he was raising money to ride around a lake when he could just pay the initial fee and bam! That would be it. That's before I realized what Team in Training strives for. The members are raising funds to help stop Leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin Lymphoma and Myeloma from taking more lives. My father was completing the event in honor of all the individuals who where and are still battling blood cancers.

Little did we know, 5 years after the completion of his event, my father would be diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) which is a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood.

In 2010, not only was he diagnosed but he was treated and is now disease free.

Hip Hip Horay!

I may write as though it was a piece of cake, but the experience was not so sweet.

Memories remind me of the events that have occurred these past couple of years.

Sometimes I lose sight of whats truly important, from just going by my day to day activities, and then I visit my parents and it brings me back to reality. I reminds me that there are things that could be done that could improve someones health, like my dads, by just taking some time out and being active.

What to do? You ask. Well you've come to the right person.

Donating blood/platelets is one thing. For about two years now I've been donating platelets every two to three weeks. By donating that hour to 2 hours of your time, you are not just donating extra time to ones life, but you are providing an invaluable figt to their life.

The next step I took to be active, was to join the Be The Match Registry with the City of Hope Hospital to hopefully, one day, accomplish what my fathers donor set out to do- and save a life.

So whats next? What to do?

Well, I joined Team in Training in 2011 to run the Nike Womens Marathon in San Francisco.

A Marathon. In San Francisco. Have you seen those hills?

Since then, I've ran a few half marathons and kept my training consistant.

So here I am, the day before Thanksgiving thinking of how thankful I am for my family, my friends and my life.

This past year has been the most wonderful year!

I went to Mexico and went on an amazing scuba diving adventure.

I voluntered at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand

I bungee jumped.

I sky dived.

I ran a marathon.

and now I'll be running a 50 miles.

Thats 25 + 25.... Five Zero...

I know its CRAZY! But then, hello! You know me!

So as I train, a mile at a time, there's something you can do to give me that little push of inspiration. Donate to assist me in reaching my fundraising goal of $2,800. It would be a 100% tax-deductible donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You wouldn't just be contributing to my race, but towards making life easier for those who are battling with blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line- a cure!

You bet I'll be updating my progress frequently, so please be sure to visit back often.

Till next time,

Peace, love and happiness.

Read me:

www.witheverymile.com

Follow me:

Instagram: SAWNA

Tweet me:

https://twitter.com/Sawnasa

Be my friend:

http://www.facebook.com/sawna.guadarrama