I'm training to run the Lincoln National Guard marathon on May 2 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's lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

Today, I attended the funeral of a teammate from my race in San Diego last summer. Judy Matton and I both completed our first half marathons May 31, 2009 with TNT. She was diagnosed with myeloma in 2007 and her fighting spirit and determination were an inspiration to myself and to our entire team.

Judy's family chose a photo of her with her marathon medal around her neck and a huge smile on her face after she crossed the finish line to be displayed on the altar. My race is only 2 weeks away and this served as a reminder of why I'm a member of the TEAM. Judy will me on my mind every mile I run between now and the finish line.

I'm Running to Keep Hope Alive!

I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, but I'm running especially in honor of Julia Grace Watson. Julia was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 2007 when she was only 11 months old. What her parents and pediatrician thought was just a cold turned out to be cancer. Julia underwent a course of treatment that involved chemotherapy and steroids for the next two years.

Today Julia is a happy, healthy and vibrant 3-year-old. People like Julia 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. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks For Your Support!

Check out my blog posts about why I'm running 26.2 miles to raise money to find a cure for cancer:

Running to Keep Hope Alive - Part 1

Running to Keep Hope Alive - Part 2

Join me on Facebook to stay in the loop about upcoming fundraising events: Running to Keep Hope Alive