IronMD to Save Lives : Thank-you for Your Support!

I started running in 2006 after transferring to South Bay Kaiser. I met Dr. David Lim, who had completed marathons and triathlons with Team in Training. Dave gave me the initial inspiration and motivation to lead a more active lifestyle and THRIVE! Since then I have completed over 25 marathons and half marathons, and I am on the THRIVE committee here at Kaiser South Bay.

Running is intrinsically a selfish activity. You race to finish as fast as you can, to set personal bests / personal records, and perhaps win your Age Group. Last year, I decided I wanted to convert my running and racing towards a higher purpose. I decided to join Team in Training and raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In the midst of my training, I was injured in a ski accident. I tore the ACL in my right knee. That put my Ironman goals in jeopardy. Now after rehab I am ready to pursue my Ironman goal.

On August 29, 2010 I will be swimming 2.4 miles in the Ohio River, then biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles over the "Bluegrass" hills of Kentucky, at the Ironman Louisville Triathlon.

Yes, 140.6 miles in one day!

All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I dedicated last year's fundraising to Loreto Albaran, a colleague who overcame his battle with B cell lymphoma. This year I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. One such hero is Gordie Lat, our honored teammate. In the midst of training with our Ironteam, he had a stroke. However, his spirit and determination to overcome this latest obstacle is truly inspirational. The photo below is Gordie and me at a recent Ironteam workout. Gordie recently completed the Vineman Ironman distance Triathlon! What an inspiration to all of us.

I also have a special dedication to my niece, Elizabeth, who passed away last year at the age of 16. She was loved by many, and her memory will live on among those of us whose lives she touched.

For updates on my training, visit my blog at:

http://neomedic.blogspot.com/

A special thanks to all my donors. I would like to mention those who donated on my previous fundraising website whose funds were transferred over to my current Ironman Louisville fundraising.

Richard Schaar, JoAnne Ebba, Neil Barber, John Karapetian, Leslie Young, Paula Clark, Catherine Martinez, Mark Boll, Vicki Parrish, Chuong Do, Marcia Uminski, Marilyn Barclay, Tracey Karp, Tina Holt, Jackie Whitesman, Theo Kidess, Paul Aguiar, Nicole Wakim, Gabrielle Beaubrun, Raymond and Maria Hussain, Chris Sample, Heidi Cho, Janice Cansino, Leon Rinehart, Ed Mun, Michelle Navarette, Jacqueline Ko, Han Ly, Tim Riley, Suzanne Albaran, James Cha, Gail Werner, David Lim, Diana LaPlace, Glen Park, Randel King.

Your friend and colleague,

Dr. Alexander K. Chin