Where has the time flown? I can't believe we have only 6 more weeks until Race Day, June 5. To date, April 25, 2011, even with taking time off to heal my paroximal hamstrings strains and sprained "IT Band," I have logged over 150 miles and counting. I have pounded the pavement; walked hills, city streets, bike paths and the beach. I have walked in the deluge on the day of the L.A. Marathon, and the storm the following week. I have taken numerous ice baths and used the foam roller which is almost worse than child birth! Not counting the day of the race, I will be adding on close to 200 more miles. Rain or shine, I am staying on track with my training. I AM WORKING HARD! I AM HURTING! AND I AM SUCCEEDING! I am not just asking you to donate. I am working hard for your money!

People suffering with Leukemia or Lylmphoma do not get rest days, or a slower pace. Every day is a fight to live. They endure pain and fatigue. They face their biggest fears continually.

My husband's cancer treatment was discovered by accident when searching for a cure for an autoimmune disorder and they decided to try it on a Hairy Cell Leukemia Patient and it worked! An "Honored Team Mate" is being treated with a drug used for AIDS patients which is now working with her Lymphoma. You never know when in search of a cure for one disease, another cure is discovered. Gary is CURED because of such a fortuitous discovery.

So this is why I am asking you again, to please donate, even if you have already donated. Believe me, every dollar you give is important and very greatly appreciated. I believe that May 5 is the last day I can receive credit for your donations. My coach told me that I am currently in the top 10 list of people in the nation who have brought in the most donations. THANK YOU!! But I want to be number one! To date I have raised over $12,500! With your continuing support and donations, I would love to reach $13,000 or greater! It is easy to make a tax deductible donation. Just click on the link. If you do not want to contribute on line, please mail your check to me made out to LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) at 23632 Calabasas Rd., Suite 108, Calabasas, CA 91302 and I'll make sure it gets to the right place.

Please remember that you are NOT a drop in the mighty ocean...

You ARE the mighty ocean in a drop.

Thank you

I can't believe that Sunday, April 3, I actually walked 8 miles!! And quite briskly, I might add. Will wonders never cease? We began at Shutters at the Beach (Pico and the sand), then walked towards the Santa Monica Pier, then up the ramp to the carousel, then up the long walk on the pier to Ocean Blvd. Then we turned North on Ocean Blvd. and walked to San Vicente. Then up San Vicente to 26th Street, and then turned around and walked all that way back to Shutters!! It took me 2 hours and 7 1/2 minutes! I drove home elated, sitting on an ice pack! Later that afternoon, I went to my little grandson's second birthday party at a park, and chased him around!

This wweekend we are ramping down to 6 miles. I will be doing this in New York as I am going to my future daughter-in-law's bridal shower and bachelorette party. Well, at least the Bachelorette dinner! Then the following weekend we are doing 9 miles in Palos Verdes complete with hills too!

I am still seeing the Physical Therapist for my sore hamstrings, and now a new country heard from--the "IT Band" on both legs. But I understand that this is not unusual for athletes! (Can you see me smile? I guess I am now considered an "athlete!") Voltaren Gel helps, along with Epsom Salt Baths, and of course, Aleve--my new best friend! I still h aven't gotten up the courage to try an ice bath, but my coach assures me that in the next several weeks we will all take a plunge in the Pacific Ocean after our run/walk. He says that freezing water is great for achy legs! I can't say that I am looking forward to this.

And now for the drum roll please: I have raised close to $9,000 thanks to your generosity! I have decided that with your continuing support, to raise my fundraising goal to $12,500. I believe this is very doable. If you have already donated, please accept my deepest gratitude, along with a plea to give again. If you have not already donated, there is no time like the present to give from your heart. It's easy to make a tax deductible donation. You can do this right on this page. By the way, the Tax ID for LLS is 13-5644916 for those of you who work for a company that has matching funds. If you do not wish to donate securely on line, you can send a check made payable to LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and send directly to me. I'll make sure it gets to the right place! If p ossible, please consider sending my link to your friends and families. Every little bit helps. Remember, you are not a drop in the mighty ocean--you are the mighty ocean in a drop!

I'm about to use the foam roller on the sides of both legs! I think that this is worse than giving birth. Onward and Upward and Thank you.

Gary with our Grandson Caleb

I can't believe my progress! After suffering from a paroximal hamstring sprain back at the beginning of February,(on both legs), I am definitely moving forward. And now for the drum roll please.....Gary and I walked a 5K for the Great Race of Agoura, and I walked 5 miles the very next day at TNT training (Team In Training)!!! And the Sunday before that, on the day of the LA Marathon when it rained and poured, I was out in Marina Del Rey/Playa Del Rey, walking 5 and a half miles with TNT. I am Charged!! I am Excited!! And hopefully, by June, I will be jogging!!! Am I hurting? YES! Am I giving up? NO WAY!!! So now--with your help, I have decided to raise my goal to $10,000 and maybe even to $15,000. I am currently at 82% toward the goal of $10,000. A little ambitious? Yes! But so is this 62 year old's goal of completing the Half Marathon in San Diego June 5. Can it be done? YOU BETCHA!!!

Are there times that I want to stop? Of course. However, I AM NOT A QUITTER!! Children, teens, adults and seniors are fighting for their lives each and every day to overcome Leukemia or Lymphoma. They can't quit! They fight on.

With your continuing help and support, I am pushing myself forward. If you have already donated, thank you so much. If there is any way that you can give a little more, that would be fantastic. If you have not already donated, please know that this is an outstanding cause, and while we all have our charities, this particular one hits home with me. Because of people such as you, my husband, Gary, can now say that he is CURED!!

June 5 is just around the corner! Every amount that you contribute goes 100% to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NOW. If you would like to write a check instead of using this website, you may make it out to LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and send it to my office address at 23632 Calabasas Rd., Suite 108, Calabasas, CA 91302. GO TEAM!!

I am about to get into a bathtub with ice, if I can get up the courage!

Since you are visiting my website for Team in Training, and knowing me as you do, and knowing that I am a "virgin to running," and that I have an aversion to running, and that the last time I ran was in Junior High School around a large dodge ball circle, you are probably wondering why I am even boldly going where Barbara has never ever gone before.

I must admit that I thought running a half marathon would be a good way to get in shape for my sons's wedding on June 11. Little did I know what kind of pain I would be in and that each and every step is sheer effort. I am waiting for the "runner's high!" I can't even get my mind around 13.2 miles.

My real reason for even attempting this half marathon is in honor of my amazingly wonderful husband, Gary. In the beginning of 1995, Gary was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia. We were in shock. We found ourselves in the City of Hope, where Gary was treated for 8 days of continuous drip, 24/7, of chemotherapy.

In 1990, the only treatment for Hairy Cell Leukemia was to remove the spleen and have a course of interferon. Not many people survived. Today, because of donations by generous people such as yourselves, "2CDA", a miracle drug, has been discovered. Had Gary been diagnosed back in 1990, I might be writing a different letter. We are so very fortunate that today, Gary is cured!

So now you know the reasons behind my insanity and why I am asking, no, pleading, for your donations. My goal is to reach $5,000, but actually, I would love to bring in even more.

I am reaching out to you, friends, family and acquaintances to help me as well as cancer patients and people as yet unaware that one day, they may be fighting for their lives. We are in this race together. It is my hope that together we will be able to conquer cancer. Together we have the ability to change the world.

IT IS EASY TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION. Just click on this link and you'll be directed to my secure fundraising webpage: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/rnr11/bfreedman. If you wish to send a check, please make it payable to LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and then send it to me at my office at 23632 Calabasas Road, Suite 108, Calabasas, California 91302. I will make sure it gets to the right place!

Thank you. I'll keep you posted along the way of my progress. Right now my friends are Aleve, ice packs, and Epsom Salt baths!! Go Team!!