Racing to Save Lives

Hi! Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I recently trained for and participated in an endurance event -- The Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, D.C., October 26) -- 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!

I am especially training for and completing this event in memory of a very special person--Brianne Tsavatewa, a longtime friend of mine. Brianne was diagnosed with leukemia last year, fought a courageous battle against the dreadful disease, and finally went on to be with her Lord Wednesday evening, June 4th, 2008. I have decided to dedicate my training and the completion of the MCM in her memory. I would ask that you keep Brianne's mother Brenda and brothers Josh and Chris in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Brianne's blog is: www.bri-vs-all.blogspot.com Please visit and leave the family a word of encouragement. They need our love, prayers and support like never before.

Please make a generous donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission, and to honor my good friend Brianne.

***UPDATE***

The Sylva Herald ran an article a couple weeks ago on my endeavor! Click here to read it.

Well I did it! I ran the Marine Corps Marathon and finished! There were times during the race I seriously doubted I would... :)

I didn't quite make my time goal (I ran a 3:27), but that's not what it was all about. It was a great honor to run for Briane and her family and Brian and his. It was an incredible experience, for sure.

I want to express my deep appreciation to everyone who has donated to the LLS on behalf of my TNT campaign! Your generosity is humbling and inspiring. THANK YOU for supporting me in this endeavor and showing your love and support of the Tsavatewa family and Letendre family. Your gifts truly are overwhelming!

I recently received a donation and a nice note from Brenda Tsavatewa, Brianne's mother, and I'd like to share it with you:

"Jonathan,

Thank you so very much for running this race in honor and memory of our beautiful Brianne. We are deeply moved that God would place this on your heart and that you feel led to do this. One of Bri's very favorite quotes is from Chariots of Fire when Eric Liddle says, 'I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.' Bless you, Jonathan, and we are standing with you."

Thank you for the kind words Brenda! It truly was an honor to run in Brianne's memory and in honor of your family.

I have also decided to dedicate the completion of the MCM in memory of my late friend, Brian Letendre. Brian and I were soccer teammates at Milligan College, and he introduced me to distance running my sophomore year. We would go on long runs together in the off season, and I grew to respect and admire Brian for his leadership and strong convictions. It was during his time at Milligan that he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps as an officer, and after graduation, he went on a couple of tours in Iraq--losing his life in combat on his second tour. Brian left behind his wife Autumn and son Dillon.

I'll always remember Brian for his strong convictions, commitment to his country and fellow soldiers, and his incredible work ethic. I would consider it a tremendous honor to complete this Marine Corps Marathon in honor of one of our great Marine Corps heroes, Captain Brian S. Letendre. To learn more about Brian's life, visit: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/bsletendre.htm

All of my financial supporters will be receiving a race report with pictures in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out! Again, THANKS!

God bless,