My Fundraising Page

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,


Jon Brown

Last Edited on: 12/03/2008

16 comments

  •  
    "Good Luck Jon, We also know Brianne and have been praying for her. Michael and Katherine introduced us a couple of years ago. We hope you meet your goal and that Brianne and many others will profit from your generosity and vigor. "
     

    Richard and Marilyn Collings

    Thu May 22 01:53:22 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Go Jon!"
     

    Kim Woodard

    Sun May 25 02:56:23 EDT 2008

  •  
    "wouldn't you rather walk non-stop on the GSM portion of the AT ? Oh, you already did that... good luck JB"
     

    Susan Sterchi

    Sun May 25 08:02:34 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Good luck. Rachel and Bob Denham"
     

    Robert Denham

    Tue May 27 12:19:00 EDT 2008

  •  
    "God bless you on your endeavors."
     

    Robert Holt

    Tue May 27 06:51:47 EDT 2008

  •  
    "JB, What a great thing to be doing. Running for a cauase! You go!!!"
     

    Carol Buchanan

    Tue May 27 07:15:17 EDT 2008

  •  
    "We are praying for Brianne and that she feels God's deep love and tender mercies for her during this difficult valley. Lynne and Bill "
     

    Lynne and Bill Johnson

    Tue May 27 03:42:30 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Jon, thanks for running for Brianne. Isa. 40:31 "Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." David/Janice Stiens"
     

    David & Janice Stiens

    Sat May 31 09:02:20 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Thank you for running---and making it possible for us to do something, and that Brianne's life meant so much. Bob, Nancy and Alexa Hoover"
     

    Bob and Nancy Hoover

    Fri Jun 13 03:34:43 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Thank you so much for supporting people like Brianne. This brave girl will allways have a place in our hearts. Silvia & Felix"
     

    Silvia Volny

    Mon Jul 21 04:24:38 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Jon - Thanks for taking on the TNT challenge! (I saw your link on Jarod Fishers facebook page) I did a TRI with them last year - an incredible experience and for such a great cause! I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Bri - I will be sure to keep her family in my prayers. My boyfriend's uncle (Tom Douzos) just passed away (7/25) after a courageous two years of fighting - Please keep his family in your prayers. Again - Thanks for running for such a great cause! Enjoy the experience and DC. Go TEAM!! Cheers, Vicki"
     

    Vicki Smith

    Fri Aug 15 02:27:45 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Jon- I can not thank you enough for running in memory of your friend Brianne and for the love of my life, Brian. (Jer.22-11)Brian did love to run and was such an incredible manHe would be so proud that you have chosen to complete the race in his memory...although he would tell you that the finish line is just the beginning of great things to come. I wanted you to know that Brian was not killed by a roadside bomb. Upon his death it was unclear what had happened. There was one survivor, another Marine Capt. Once he was out of the hospital he called immediately to tell me what took place. In short, Brian was killed during combat. He fought to the end, side by side but was killed instantly when a motar hit behind his location. He was recently awarded the bronze star with valor. Please visit his brother Justin Letendre's myspace account to read more about it and the countless amazing things people have done in his memory. I would love to talk to you. Please give me a call 317-407-1276"
     

    Autumn Letendre

    Tue Sep 16 09:55:53 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Thank you Jon for so honoring your friends. It is a testament to God's love that you are reflecting and passing on."
     

    Reuben Moore

    Sun Sep 28 10:44:04 EDT 2008

  •  
    "I only knew Bri for one week. The summer before she was diagnosed she volunteered some time working in New Orleans with the organization I work for. She made a great impression and we shared many laughs. Thanks for doing this in her honor and thereby providing me an opportunity to contribute in some small way to the fight against this disease."
     

    Ellison Manley

    Thu Oct 02 08:33:09 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Jon, thanks for running in honor of Brianne. She and Josh were very special students of mine at Ben Hill Middle School. They have left a lasting impression of memories I will never forget! I am deeply honored that Joshua thought of me and sent me his and your moving letters to ask if I could help you reach your goal in fighting blood cancers in hope that other victims can be cured! Thanks again and good luck! Love in Christ, Mike, Donna, Kayla & Josh Norman"
     

    Mike,Donna,Kayla & Josh Norman

    Sun Oct 05 08:29:06 EDT 2008

  •  
    "Our father/grandfather (Edward Allrid) passed away from Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma. What an amazing thing you are doing to fight this disease and to honor those you have lost. Godspeed, Jon. "
     

    The Jardine Family

    Mon Oct 20 03:28:15 EDT 2008

My Fundraising Total

Raised: $4,440.00 | Goal: $3,500.00
 
127 %

Make a Donation


We are sorry donations are no longer being accepted for this participant for this event.

My Thanks To

Autumn Letendre $1000.00
Brenda Tsavatewa-Lester $1000.00
Dillsboro River Co. $335.00
Scot and Carla Nixon $150.00
Reuben Moore $100.00
Walter Brown $100.00
Waverly Green $100.00
Vicki Smith $100.00
Bob and Nancy Hoover $100.00
Wanda Burns $100.00
Richard and Marilyn Coll... $100.00