Racing to Save Lives

Dear Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Colleagues;

Some of you may not have heard from me for some time, while others see me on a daily basis. Well, I'm getting back in touch with you now, and for good reason. I am going to run a marathon on October 19th, 2008 for the "Team in Training" in honor of Lacy Caldwell. Running is something I enjoy and have been doing for 12 years. Finishing this marathon will be the biggest challenge of my life, but it does not compare to what Lacy endures on a daily basis.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event 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 running the marathon in San Francisco on October 19, 2008. That's 26.2miles, and yes, all at once. Luckily, I am not doing this on my own. I am training with other runners and walkers who are also getting ready for a race.

More important even than my physical commitment to the program is my commitment to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its effort to battle Leukemia and related cancers.

I am blessed to work with a wonderful lady by the name of Pat Smith. She mentioned to me that one of her family members a beautiful young lady by the name of Lacy Caldwell has Leukemia. As I listened to Pat tell me of Lacy's struggles with this disease my goal changed from finishing a marathon to raising as much money as I can for a cure for Lacy and all the other people who are suffering from these diseases. Lacy's smile is infectious as you can see from this picture. I want her to be able to continue making jewelry and art and pursue her dreams.

I realized how lucky I am to be able to get up and go to work with people who I love and respect. I gripe and complain some days, but at least I can do that - Lacy can't. I can put my shoes on and run 26.2 miles and raise as much money as I can to help find the cure that she and so many others need.

Please support this cause for Lacy and all others who are suffering from these diseases. They need us!!!!

My love and appreciation to all of you.

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!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nc/nikesf08/jlytle

As a donor you are eligible for a discount on Munchkin Field. This is a website for commercial toys for day cares, preschools, schools, therapist and parents. http://www.munchkinfield.com/

"People that are winners, when times get hard, they try a little harder. You don't give up..." Danica Patrick - first female to ever win an IndyCar competition.

Jodie Lytle

4 Atrium Trail

Arden, NC

28704