Gina's Fundraising Page

"You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give."

- Winston Churchill

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

WE MADE IT! ---POST MARATHON UPDATE :)

This past Sunday I got to check one thing off of my bucket list...I ran my first marathon!!! I'm definitely feeling it in my legs, but it was well worth it. I can't fully describe the emotions that you go through from the moment you start heading to the start line, to the moment you cross the finish. The experience was absolutely amazing and I couldn't have done it without the love, support and encouragement from my friends and family:)

This weekend I along with 1,800 Team in Training participants ran either the Disney 1/2 or full marathon, but more importantly collectively we raised $7 million dollars to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Our race is over but we still do not have a cure. Please continue to spread the word that I am still accepting donations for my fundraising campaign for the fight against blood cancers.

Though I have completed my race and goal to finish a marathon, I have not reached my fundraising goal. Please spread the word and help us get closer to a cure!

Thank you again for your continued love and support!!

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I'm training to participate in the Walt Disney World Marathon 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!

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!

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Only a life lived for others is worth living.

~Albert Einstein

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My Story

Running a marathon has always been a lifetime goal. I figured at 26, there is no better time— 26.2 miles at the age of 26! I joined Team in Training not knowing much about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but was inspired by the dedicated participants, volunteers and supporters for a cause that affects millions.

On Jan 11, 2009 I will be running 26.2 miles in honor and memory of those affected by leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. I will be pinning ribbons on my race-day jersey with names of just a few of those affected by blood cancer. One ribbon will be for my aunt, who lost her battle at my age of 26.

My mother lost her sister to cancer when she was 18. Her sister was only 26.

Auntie Remy was a bright young woman, who had a modest but happy life. She had a successful career, a boyfriend, and a close-knit family. No one knew that a simple pain in her throat would bring on a diagnosis that would shatter a family and end the life of a young beautiful person. Auntie Remy was a fighter, but chemotherapy treatment was very hard on her and very expensive. My family tried everything from treatments available in their small provincial hospital in the Philippines to alternative medicines presented to them. Sadly, within months of her diagnosis she lost her battle. In a different time and place, things might have turned out differently; with a better understanding of treatments, quality of care and overall education—all efforts that tie into the goals and mission of LLS.

It was difficult to hear my mother recount the story of losing a sister at such a young age, and to hear how my grandmother had to bear the loss of a child. So at 26, I will be running for 26.2 miles to benefit LLS in the fight against blood cancers in hopes that one day a mother, sister, boyfriend or friend will not have to say good-bye so early.

My commitment to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Team in Training is driven by the dream that we will cross the ultimate finish line by finding a cure.

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