Heavy hearts and tired legs

With a very heavy heart, I am unfortunately sharing the news that my Honored Hero, Mattie Powell, passed away on Wednesday, June 2. The relief is that she is now pain free and her little body is healed, but for her parents, sister, and all of the people she has impacted through her strength and smile, the pain is very real.

She was an incredibly brave little girl, and I had the pleasure of spending some time with her and her parents, Duane and Sara, last weekend. I will cherish that time we spent together, and it has motiviated me to continue to fight to find a cure for all forms of cancer.

For all of you who are parents, grandparents, have nieces, nephews, or any "little ones" in your lives, give them a huge hug next time you see them.

For more information about Mattie, you can visit her Caring Bridge website:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattiepowell

This Saturday, June 5, is my longest training run; my 20 miler. And in two weeks, I will be in Anchorage, enjoying the summer solstice and preparing for the race. Thanks for your continued support!

Kris

Why a Marathon and why in Alaska?

Why another marathon with TNT?

Because I need to get my butt off the couch and make a difference! And because I want to support the important work that LLS is doing to find a cure for blood cancers. They are making huge advances in the fight against blood cancers and the research they are doing is finding cures and treatments for all forms of cancer. The LLS has recently released their North Star 2015 Vision: “We envision that in the year 2015 the great majority of people who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer will be cured, or they will manage their illness with good quality of life.” WOW! Wouldn’t that be great?!

Until then, every five minutes, someone in the U.S. learns he or she has leukemia, Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or myeloma. Every ten minutes, someone dies of a blood cancer. Leukemia remains a leading cause of cancer related death in children. But the research is working! In 1960, the five-year survival rate for children with the most common form of leukemia was just 4%. Today, it is 85%! And in 2010, the LLS has nine researchers working in Michigan alone at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University to find a cure; four more than last year. Think of the difference they will make…

Why the Mayor’s Marathon?

Because it is in Anchorage, Alaska! :) Many of you also know about my crazy life goals, one of which is to visit all 50 states by the time I’m (cough) 40. With less than two years to go, I only have Alaska and Hawaii left to visit, so this year is Alaska! (Next year is Hawaii, but no marathon, I promise!) Because this is one of my life goals, I have already donated 25% of my fundraising goal to cover my travel expenses. Therefore, 100% OF YOUR DONATION WILL GO TO THE LLS FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND PATIENT SERVICES!

So, I’m asking you to help because I need your help in three significant ways.

1. I need your encouragement! When you see me, ask me how I’m doing; visit me on Facebook and leave me encouraging messages; or just give me a call to remind me I’m not completely crazy! Mark your calendars for June 19, and send positive thoughts my way as I am running through the beautiful scenery in Anchorage, Alaska, being passed by a moose.

2. Unfortunately, almost all of us have been affected by having a loved one diagnosed with cancer. Let me know if you would like me to run in honor of someone in your life who has been diagnosed with cancer - any type of cancer. I will wear a bracelet on my wrist with the names of my “honored heroes” and when I feel the sore muscles from running, I am quickly reminded that the pain I feel is nothing compared to those individuals and families living with cancer. Looking at the bracelet keeps me moving and gets me out the door to run each day. Can I have the honor of running a mile of my marathon dedicated to someone you love? Call me or email with information about your “hero” so they can become mine as well.

Two of my honored heroes this time:

• Mike Larson - 41 year-old dad of three young kids from Brighton, battling Stage 3 C-Cell follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Until recently, he ran with us on Saturday mornings at Kensington! Mike’s cancer is now growing aggressively and he has had to start chemo.
• Mattie Powell – a beautiful little girl of a childhood friend of mine, Duane. She just celebrated her 5th birthday on Easter Sunday; without a true miracle, it will be her last birthday. For more of Mattie’s story, visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattiepowell (but have a box of tissues nearby).

3. Donate to the cause and help us find a cure for blood cancers! Every single dollar helps! Your contribution is 100% tax deductible and will promote continuous research, patient assistance, support systems, and ultimately help to find a cure for these devastating diseases. Because of this research, a cure is closer every day. Imagine how wonderful it will feel when we hear that the cure has been found and we can both say, “Hey, I made that happen. I was a part of finding that cure!”

As I run 26.2 miles on June 19, you will be with me in spirit and your partnership will inspire me to run faster and stronger to the finish line! Please join me in this great challenge! On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the lives they touch through research, education and support, THANK YOU!

Kris

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

I'm training to finish the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska in June 2010 as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training! All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are

the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

How have you been affected by blood cancer? Or even by cancer at all? The research the LLS is doing can help find a cure of all forms of cancer! My Grandpa Day passed away before we found a cure, but LLS is making tremendous strides in research so we will have more survivors!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Also, please let me know if you would like me to run in honor of someone in your life who has been touched by cancer.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your continued support!