Dear Friends and Family,

As you know, I am crazy about running and once again, I am crazy enough to run another 26.2 miles! In the spirit of making the Marine Corps Marathon more than a personal physical test, I have taken on the challenge of raising over $20,000 with seven of my running "Sole Sisters" for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Unfortunately, we are all familiar with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma and we have all watched friends fight and overcome or succumb to a blood cancer. I have a number of dear friends who are living proof of the benefits brought about by research and good medical care, as well as iron wills and unremitting family support.

My dearest and best friend, Beth Wojtech Halley, lost her brother, Ricky, during his ordeal with cancer. In 1989, Ricky was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Hodgkin lymphoma and died four years later at the age of 28, during what was then an “experimental†stem cell replacement procedure. Every patient in Ricky’s group died. A soft-spoken quiet kind of a guy, Ricky was a devoted uncle and loyal friend. His life was only beginning.

I thought of Ricky when Lynn Keller Salort, my friend and co runner encouraged our running group to run for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I thought of Ricky and I thought of my friends living with blood cancers. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest volunteer organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

Through the sacrifices and risks made by Ricky and others and the help of the L&L, stem cell replacement procedures have almost become routine and there are fewer stories like Ricky’s. I pray that all my friends in this fight only benefit from the continued research and support that the L&L funds.

I hope that you can make a donation to support my personal goal of raising $2900 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Thanks for your support!

Talya Rothenberg