Is there any better way to spend your hard earned dollars than to cure cancer and get cute jewelry? I think not! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Susan, a Stella and Dot stylist, you are able to give and receive. Simply visit http://www.stelladot.com/sites/susanaucoin and click on the icon "find your hostess" at the top right. The hostess name is Jen Sciortino. You can shop online now through March 31. Proceeds go directly to my Team in Training fundraising. Thanks for shopping and saving lives!

We are thrilled to announce that Heather's PET scan last Thursday showed 75% improvement. She will have one more round of chemo instead of the possible additional two. It is awesome that she is winning this battle with cancer. Thank you to everyone who has donated and/or prayed. It is this money that helps researchers find medicines to save our loved ones. Of course, neither Heather or I have met our goals yet, so please continue to pray, and it is not too late to donate. Every dollar counts! Thanks again. Here is wishing you health and happiness this week.

If you know me, you know that I have a pretty witty sense of humor. In fact, my husband thinks I am so funny that he engraved my engagement ring to read, "You're the one for me," and the wedding ring to read, "the funny one." In saying that, I have spent a few hours online searching for some witty t-shirts about curing Lymphoma. I know you are thinking, "Funny and Lyphoma don't go together at all," but in my family, humor is like bacon; it goes with everything. (Admit it: wrap bacon around anything and it makes it better!)

During my quest, I realized that breast cancer has the monopoly on funny mottos...Save the TaTas! Don't let cancer steal second base! Yes, these are fake. My real one's tried to kill me! Unfortunately, they don't make shirts that say, "Save the Lymph Nodes," or "Got Lymph Nodes?" I am highly disappointed in the lack of humor regarding BEATING Lymphoma. So now, I am in search of my new holy grail because as we all know: Laughter is the best medicine.

HEATHER UPDATE: I need to make a change to my previous post. Heather is battling Lymphoma in her entire lymphatic system including, but not limited to 1 in her neck, 2 in the armpit, and tons in her abdomen. If you haven't met her, check out her blog at http://laughoutloud-heather.blogspot.com/, and you will see that she is keeping her sense of humor while kicking cancer's butt!

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

As you may already know, during Thanksgiving holidays, my sister Heather (the cute one in pink at the top of the page) was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This cancer had already rampaged her liver, spleen, and two major lymph nodes. She began chemotherapy within two weeks of diagnosis, and has been "fighting like a mom" ever since.

Around Christmas, my little sister Ashley and I decided to get "chemo cuts" to support Heather in the battle of her life. Please note that while I love Heather, I was not going to shave my head for her, so we settled on just a "chemo cut." While eight inches of hair may not seem like much to many of you, I LOVED my long hair. It was my security blanket and a sacrifice to honor Heather.

Once the shock of my current almost baldness wore off, I began loving my new "do" and realized there had to be more that I could do to support Heather in her fight. As an alum of TNT, it was an easy decision to re-enlist with this amazing organization, especially if it would help Heather. I figure running 13.1 miles and raising $2000 is a good starting point on our journey to curing her cancer.

Please don't misunderstand; this experience isn't 100% selfless. I intend to reap some rewards, also. After giving birth to my gorgeous baby girl, Mia, I have a few pounds (read "few" as "sixty-five") to burn off. In time, I want to be a soccer mom in the truest sense of the word--I want to play soccer with my kids, and getting healthy through training and eating right will ensure I meet that goal. Since this will be my third half marathon, I am actually training to RUN the entire thing, so I can mark it off my life list. Finally, I am determined to get HOTT for my awesome husband who continues to tell me that I am as beautiful today as I was 13 years ago. Running will make this a reality for both of us.

So how can you help? I am so glad you asked!

1. Donate to my fundraising page for the LLS Team in Training. Ever dollar counts, and no donation is too small. That being said, no donation is too big either.

2. Check in on Heather from time to time

3. Continue your positive thoughts and prayers for our entire family.

4. Hold me accountable for reaching my goals.

5. Refrain from offering me yummy but naughty food. :)

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

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

Lots of love to you and your family,

Jen

My Honored Hero and sister, Heather