I told you this was coming...so here it is...Will and I officially signed up for The Capital of Texas Olympic Distance Triathlon -- 1.5k swim • 40k bike • 10k run. That means we will both be swimming just shy of 1 mile, cycling 24.85 miles and finishing with a 6 mile run.

Why? Well, first, I have always wanted to complete a tri but when I heard a month ago that Grayson (my new honored hero) went from low-risk to high-risk and would have to endure much more intensive chemo...I knew that if his tiny body had to endure all that... that I could endure 3x the training. And second, because we are passionate about Team in Training and determined to find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Better treatments means improving the quality of life for patients and their families as well...because those patients are my loved ones and my honored heros.

MEET MY HONORED HEROS:

Grayson Hughes - diagnosed with "ALL" this past fall in 2011...and currently in remission. Gray was in the kindergarten class next to my daughter and his mom taught at the school so we immediately reached out to help. Grayson is currently receiving high dose chemo and has a full three years of treatment to endure. Please read about Grayson at http://www.whenskiesaregray.com/

Georgia Moore - diagnosed with "ALL" on her 10th birthday in 2009 and in her last year of treatment. Georgia was Will's honored hero for his two centuries in 2010. She was also the Leukemia and Lymphoma's Society Girl of the Year in 2010 for the Austin chapter. Georgia's in the final months of treatment...hopefully coming to an end this spring around the time of our event or before! We have been honored to be a part of her journey. Please visit Georgia's blog at http://keepingeorgiaonyourmind.blogspot.com/

HONORED HERO SURVIVORS:

Allie (my niece) - diagnosed with "ALL" when she was 7.5 months old. She spent her toddler years receiving chemotherapy and taking trips to the doctor. Our little miracle! She celebrated 17 years in remission this past December and is graduating from high school this June. She is also a TNT alum completing a half marathon in December 2010! Allie is the reason I'm a part of the BEST TEAM in America...Team in Training!

James Berg - "ALL" survivor...finished chemo summer 2011! I met James' parents in winter season '09. They were BOTH training for White Rock. James' story hit home to me on one of the coldest training days of that season. His parents were also on the winter '10 season and occassionally brought James and his twin brothers to train...it was awesome to have them on the course with us...always an inspiration!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jamesvb

Philip Endres - "ALL" survivor...finished chemo summer 2011! I met Suzanne...Philip's mom on the winter '10 team. When I heard Philip's mission moment on September 18, 2010, my heart hurt but he's a little warrior and completed treatment in June 2011.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/philipendres

HONORED HERO ANGELS:

In memory of...Griffin Yarbrough & Mavrick Veal.

Blood cancer research has always been a gateway to new therapies for all cancers. Of 39 new cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the past decade, almost half (19) were approved for patients with blood cancers. Five have already been approved and 13 are commonly used as treatments for other cancer patients. An investment in blood cancer research is an investment in ALL CANCER!

Together we must raise $3750...so PLEASE make a donation in support of our efforts and help advance the research for cures!

Don't know what to donate...we've got some suggestions:

• $32 for the total miles I will cover in the triathlon (51.5 kilometers).
• $17 in honor of Allie's 17 years in remission
• $12 for Georgia celebrating her 12th birthday in December
• $6 for Grayson celebrating his 6th birthday in November

Please keep up-to-date with our progess by checking our blog - Bacons for a Cause:

www.baconsforacause.blogspot.com

With love & gratitude,

Dianna Bacon