Racing to Save Lives

DECEMBER 13th -- UPDATE #2: Hello again! This past Saturday we ran 4.5 miles... but the coaches tricked us and told us it was only 4 miles. Monica quickly recognized the trick as we ran around the "half mile loop" that was probably closer to 1.25 miles! We finished strong despite the rain. Unfortunately I hurt my ankle so I'm going to lay low this week (much to my dismay but they are coach's orders so I must obey). Hopefully I will be up and running by Saturday! Until then I'll miss my bridges run. On Saturday we are doing a breakfast fundraiser at Applesbees at the Town Center so feel free to come! I will post more details later. Sunday I plan to support our coach during his marathon as well! Go, Coach Coy!

DECEMBER 1st -- UPDATE #1: Hello, everyone! I am doing well. Sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been a little hectic lately with the holidays approaching. We're well under way with training. It's going great so far! Tonight we ran the Acosta and Main Street bridges downtown. The total mileage was 3 miles! A group of us sped around the track while Coy, our coach, timed our lap -- he thinks we have the potential to be "sub-2" runners. That basically means we run the half marathon in under two hours! Crazy but he thinks its do-able. At this point, anything is possible! Training is fun. I won't be at our group run Saturday because I will be in Chattanooga for a climbing competition, but I really enjoy the group work outs. I will try to update again on Tuesday, which is a run that should be in Dr. Bishop's memory! Peace -- Sara

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Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

As some of you may know, I am an Oncology Social Worker living in Jacksonville, FL. I work closely with our patients during all stages of their cancer experience. I have seen the devastating impact on these individuals and their families. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it turns their whole world upside down. A patient from a support group I facilitated once told me that being diagnosed felt as though someone shook up all the parts of their life and dropped it on the ground, spilling the contents everyone and leaving the mess for them to pick up and piece back together.

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!

Most importantly, I am running in memory of my dear friend Morgan Bishop's mother, Dr. Wendy Bishop. Sadly Dr. Bishop died on November 21, 2003 after battling leukemia. Although I never met Morgan's mother, I have come to learn that she was an incredible mother, dear wife, strong woman, and distinguished author. She was a highly respected professor at Florida State University who was recognized for her many accomplishments and active role within the university and community. Over the past few years, I have become incredibly close to her daughter and my wonderful friend, Morgan. I have seen the impact Dr. Bishop's diagnosis and death has had on her family -- especially her children -- and I am honored that Morgan allowed me to run in memory of her beautiful mother.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. No amount is too small!

I hope you will visit my web site often. I plan to update with biweekly or weekly updates on my progress as I prepare for the Disney Princess half-marathon in March! I will also send out regular e-mail updates. Please forward this site along to anyone you know that may be interested in raising awareness and providing much needed support to blood cancer patients!

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate all of your support while I raise money to battle blood cancers and train for the half-marathon!

Stay tuned!

Peace,

Sara

PS - The picture on this site is picture of Morgan and I having a good time down in Gainesville, FL!