Dear friends:

I was asked recently, by one of my Team in Training coaches, why, if I don't enjoy running, I am training for a half marathon. Running has never been how I would choose to spend my time, but yet I've decided to take on this challenge. I first learned about Team in Training through my sister-in-law, Cassie Rose. She trained with TNT for the Kansas City Marathon two years ago and really enjoyed the experience and appreciated the training and support. I knew that if I decided to run a long distance race that I should join TNT, which raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I hadn't really talked to anyone outside of my house about why this cause was so important to me. So only my wife, Sarah, had heard me talk about how I am running to honor my grandfather, Jack Gies, who passed away after battling Lymphoma for many years. He fought so hard to spend his last Thanksgiving with his family, which is something that has really stuck with me and makes me proud that I always try to finish what I start, so running this race and raising funds to help support this amazing cause is something that I will definitely finish.

Our honor patient this year is a three year old girl who was diagnosed with ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, when she was just a baby. To hear how she is a show stealer and fighter inspires me to take on this challenge to raise funds to help find a cure for her and all the other children and adults that fight blood cancers.

If you would like to help me on my journey, you can visit my website at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/mid/kc11/jgiesg, or send a check made out to "LLS" to me at 9100 W. 82nd St., Overland Park, KS 66204.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about why this means so much to me, and for your support, financial and otherwise.

Very truly yours,

Jacob Gies