Racing to Save Lives

In September of 2008, I was incredibly fortunate to begin working for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's (LLS) premier fundraising campaign, Team In Training (TNT). Without fully understanding what the position entailed, I was initially ecstatic to interview with the organization. However, upon discovering that TNT is a fundraising program that trains people for endurance events, the most prominent question in my mind was: are they going to expect me to run a marathon?! I am not a runner. I have never been a runner. And frankly, I had no desire to become a runner.

Within minutes of my first interview with the Society, my fears of training for a marathon were replaced with an excitement and a passion for the mission of LLS: to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease, and to improve the lives of patients and their families. TNT participants provide funding on behalf of LLS directed toward patient services and research for those battling these diseases. TNT participants have funded researchers that have made incredible medical advances such as developing the drug Gleevac, forms of chemo-therapy, and technology that make ports successful.

I knew immediately that I had to be a part of such an effort to find a cure; even if that did mean training for a marathon.

For almost a year now I have been working for the Society, advocating for this mission that has grown so close to my heart. I have been telling hundreds of people that they can raise money, they can train and complete an endurance event, and in doing so, they will help find that cure. I believe with all my heart that that is the truth. People can do this and it does make a difference.

For this reason, I have decided it is time to start practicing what I preach! I have made a commitment to run the Nike Women's Marathon on October 18th and have set a personal goal to raise $5,000 by September 15th for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I will be training and raising money on behalf of my dear friends and Honored Heroes: Don Armstrong, Emerson Espanet (pictured here), Trinity Fields, Danielle Taylor, and Casey Heinz. Furthermore, I believe wholeheartedly that in finding a cure for blood cancer, the door will be opened to finding a cure for all cancers. Because of this, I am also training in honor of Amy Williams, Felicia Pulaski, and David Scott.

I know there will be hard times in this journey I am embarking. However, I will always be reminded of my personal heroes, and yours, and the battle they have and will continue to fight. Please help support my personal goal to raise $5,000 with your prayers and a kind donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can donate quickly and securely through this website and will receive a confirmation of your donation by email. All donations are tax-deductible. I am excited for the day to tell you that I have met my fundraising goal and have crossed that finish line simply because we will be that much closer to finding a cure! Together, we can find a cure.

Grateful,

Meredith Ramsey