Racing to Save Lives

I am at it again! I am training to participate in the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon in San Diego on June 6, 2010 as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. This will be my third event with the Team: I have completed the Nike Women's Half Marathon in 2008 and the Twin Cities Marathon in 2009, and the experience was so incredible I have decided to do it yet again! This year will be extra special because I am also training with my mom, Sue, and my sister, Andrea. Together, we hope to raise at least $8700 to fight blood cancers!

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, and in memory of my Grandpa Kne, who lost his battle with Leukemia in 2005. My Grandpa was an active man throughout his life and I cannot think of a better way to honor his memory. I race with the strength my Grandpa has given me and with the hope that no one else will have to experience these devastating diseases, or lose a loved one to blood cancer. Please give as freely as you are able. We need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

If you are not sure about contributing right now, consider this: Think about an unhealthy habit you may have in your life. Chances are it costs money. I challenge you to give up that habit for the next month, or two, or more, and donate the money that you save to LLS. A few suggestions: drink water instead of that rich espresso drink; skip the appetizers or dessert when you go out for dinner; walk the mile to the store instead of driving... the possibilities are endless! I personally am pledging to cook healthy at home instead of heading to the drive-thru, and I am donating the money I save to LLS. Join the challenge! I guarantee you will feel better about where your money is going, and the healthy change will make you feel better all around!

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress, and check out the Andy's Angels blog too at http://andysangelstnt.blogspot.com/ to read our stories of training, fundraising, and our amazing teammates. Thanks for your support!

-Becca Nelson

becca@alumni.uchicago.edu