Racing to Save Lives

Hey, everyone, my name is Leah Mireles and I'm running a half-marathon. Gulp.

The summer before my senior year of high school, my little sister Isabella (see the photo of the adorable, chubby, bald baby above?) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I really can't describe the feelings that went through me when I was told she had cancer. Needless to say, my life was turned upside-down. But with help from God and from the amazing doctors and nurses and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, my baby sister is in remission and on her way to a normal life again! August 6th is the last day of treatment, and I have never been so thankful for anything in my life.

Of course, not everyone is so lucky. Leukemia and other blood diseases hurt not just a cancer patient, but their families as well. Which is why, almost a year ago, my dad decided to give leukemia a kick in the rear and do something to help: he joined Team in Training and ran a marathon in San Diego. Not only that, he fundraised thousands of dollars to go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, bringing us one step closer to finding a cure. So, naturally, my older sister joined in the craze and, with the help of Team In Training, ran the Nike Women's marathon in San Francisco a few months ago, all the while fundraising thousands of dollars.

Lot to live up to, huh?

Now, Lord knows I'm not athletic, and I’m sure most of you all know that too. I'm not a soccer-fanatic or even a table-tennis kind of girl, let alone a distance runner. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma. What matters is making a difference in the future, and making sure every person diagnosed with leukemia is as lucky as my little sister. So, while I'm at school at SC studying away (cough), I've decided to do something about it. And so, at the end of May, I will be participating in the San Diego Rock'n'Roll Half-Marathon. Now, thirteen may not be as much as 26, but both of those numbers are higher than I'm willing to count when it comes to miles. But I’m willing to put in the work and the time to help find a cure… and you, my friends, can do the same.

You guys can donate money to help fight cancer. Every single penny helps and brings us one step closer to finding a cure. If you decide to donate, thank you and God bless you! But, if you don't, I still want to say thank you for taking the time to read this. Don’t worry! I get it! I'm a college student! I know what it's like to be broke. Or at least my parents do. :) But you can still help. Go tell a friend to donate or even JOIN Team in Training. It will change your life.

Save a life! Make an impact! Be the miracle! Come on, people. Make a difference with me. :)

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back!

Thanks for your support!