It has been one month since our 1/2 Marathon White Rock event in Dallas. It was a cold 42* and rainey. We loved it totally. It was our first event of this kind. We did 2 other 5k's during our training but nothing like this. There were 25,000 runners/walkers. It took us 45 minutes to reach the start line. The excitement was high and those along the course cheering us were fantastic.

The money we raised totaled $3,010.00 for the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society to help those familes in the fight against cancer and to help with the research end in finding a cure and better treatments. You should feel amazing for being a part of this, we do.

Thank you for not only your financial participation, but your prayers as we trained and your encouragment throughout.

The day of the race Ginger got an unexpected bonus as the hours passed. She felt very close to her dad, Tom, and felt like she was doing something for him to thank him for how hard he fought in his battle to live those last 11 days. It was a time of peace and closure.

The times is got hard and hurt and we got tired we remenbered Vivians battle she won against Lymphoma, June's current battle and chemo treatments and little 5 year old Hikari who found out she had Leukemia only days before our race after having her tonsills out. She has since been cleared of all cancer(praise God) and has just completed her 2nd round of chemo treatment.

Our involvemnt with LLS continues. We continue to go out at 6:30am each Saturday morning to train for the next event. We won't be fundraising again until the summer or fall. Hopefully you will join us again with your giving and maybe out on the course. :)

Our next event will be February 26 and will be a full marathon. Another 1/2 on March 25 and from there we arn't sure. So many to choose from.

We love and appreciate you all so much. God Bless You!!

Darrel & Ginger Brooks

If you'd like to learn more about joining Team In Training, you can visit http://www.teamintraining.org.

Hi Everyone,

We are getting so excited about the race. It's less than a month to go. Only 3 Saturday trainings to go and 7 weekday trainings. Last week we increased our speed. Since Darrel's injury the doctor only wants him walking, so we are learning how to walk really fast. Well, Darrel is doing much better than I am so I have to add running. New level, new pain, new sence of accomplishment. It's all worth it to help those fighting cancer.

Our mileage yesterday was 10.25 miles under 3 hours! This was our personal BEST for a workout over a 10k distance. Our average pace was 17.23 min/mile. This included 2 bathroom stops. We will continue to shave off some time but our main goal in this first half marathon is just to be able to stay below the 18:00 pace; so we won't be kicked off the course and we will be able to FINISH the 13.1 mile White Rock course which includes several hill climbs. Yes, Darrel said FIRST. We have decided to make this our new lifestyle and participate in more races. Ginger's blood pressure has come down to 115/73 this last week. Very exciting!!!

We might come in last but we will finish and get our finisher's medal. We have almost finished raising $3000.00 for the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society. Ginger made her required goal and Darrel has about $100 to go. If you have not already given but planned to, IT'S TIME. Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about our progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and we will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/Whiterck11/brooksruntherace

We have a whole new perspective on all the Biblical references to running or racing.

Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. Philippians 3:13-14

Thank you for your continued prayers and your gracious giving.

Love and Blessings, Darrel & Ginger Brooks

Great News!! Last Saturday both Darrel and I didn't hurt as we did our 8 mile training. Now we are looking forward to this Saturdays 10 miles in cool weather. We really need some cool weather training and some rain training in case those are the conditions on Race Day, Dec. 4. Darrel has been taking it easy due to a strained MCL. (located in his knee). The doctor told him to lay off the running and walk only. So we are learing to walk really fast, well as fast as we can at this point. Due to our speed, we are going to do the 1/2 marathon. That's 13.1 miles. Our coach assures us this is nothing to sneeze at. How many people do we know that have done 13.1. Yeah, yeah okay. Disappointed but not wanted to do any serious injury we have chosen to comply.

Last week we signed our recommitment papers and locked ourselves into this race in Dallas. They are making our reservations for our hotel for the night before and the night before dinner. We understand these are very important for race day to stay focused and have the right meal that evening. $3000 for the both of us is what is required in this commitment. So many of you have not only given but given generously and we want to thank you very much. We are now so close, just about $300 to go. We have been doing restaurant fundraisers and are currently selling tickets for Tacos y Salsas $30 gift certificate. $2 for one ticket and $5 for 3 tickets. Drawing will be held Nov. 5. If you want a ticket either get ahold of us or donate online and we will enter your name on the drawing tickets.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Darrel's injury could have been worse and lasted longer but God has heard and answered your prayers. THANK YOU!!

Blessings, Darrel & Ginger Brooks

Happy Friday Everyone,

We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones doing well. Unfortunately, most of us are close to someone who is battling or has battled cancer of some kind. Today is our Honored Hero, Vivian's birthday. She turned a wonderful 78 years young today. We celebrate life with her today. Vivian has been Ginger's step mom for 36 years now. She is an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother, fighter and friend who has been fighting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for going on 9 years now.

It was 9 years ago Vivian went into surgery for Diverticulitis surgery that she had been suffering from for some time. When she awoke from surgery she was told the doctor discovered the lymph nodes in her small intestine had stage 3 & 4 cancer. It was tested to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She immediately went for more testing: cat scans, Pet scans, etc. Within a month she started chemo and became extremely ill. Her hair fell out but that didn't bother her, she prefers to wear it very short now. Along with the chemo she was given Rituxan. A drug that only works if your cancer has a certain protein. Her's did and she feels it really helped along with the many prayers. She is enjoying going on 8 years of remission now. She walks daily and goes to the gym to work out. She loves the reclining bike best and does 3 miles, along with weights and other machines. She inspires us and encourages us to stay fit and healthy. We love you Mom. You are our HERO!

Many thanks for those who have helped us reach 69% of our goal. We have $945.00 left to raise and only a few weeks to do it. Please consider giving in honor of your heros, those who are battling or have battled cancer.

Here is something that is happening with LLS right now. There is a lot going on in blood cancers. Beyond the JAK2 kinase mutations that have been found in MPNs and are being studied as targets in my lab and others around the world, recent breakthroughs include the discovery of mutations in the Raf kinase enzyme in 100% of patients with hairy cell leukemia. This finding will surely lead to clinical trials, since Raf inhibitors are already in development for other cancers with such mutations. Another exciting development is antibodies directed against the so-called CD30 antigen, which is expressed on the surface of some lymphoma cells. Response rates in patients who failed all previous therapies were in the 80-90% range, which is quite incredible. This antibody will make a clinical difference, no doubt.

Thank you so much for giving and praying,

Darrel & Ginger Brooks

I never would have thought replying to a piece of mail would turn into a full time job, but it has. I spend my days: writing thank you cards to donors and running them out to the mail box, thinking about everything I put into my fuel tank (mouth) including enough water, training Tues and Thurs nights when Darrel get home from work, making connections for fundraising activities like the two this Saturday ( $1 to put your name in a drawing for a bottle of fingernail polish the color for Team in Training. and our fundraiser at the local Tacos y Salsas restraunt. The best Mexican food we've been able to find. Come out and have a meal and donate to the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society to fight cancer and help families.

Darrel and I participated in our first event last Saturday. It was called Heros for Children in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We walked/ran a 5k. It was so much fun. We loved cheering people on at the finish best. We are getting use to waking up on Saturdays at 5am. It's really such a small price to pay in the big picture.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your prayers. Following the direction of our great coaches I, Ginger, went to the doctor to get checked, the dr. did x-rays and blood work. Everything came out good. I then went to a chiropractor for all the pain I've been in. She said my brain and body are not connected. Hmmm I never expected that news. :) Anyway Tuesday nights 4 mile workout went much better. Darrel needs prayer for his knees also.

We have been super blessed these past weeks by your generous giving. Our fundraising has risen to 65% of our goal. I know the deadline is approaching quickly but we have no doubt God will provide through you.

We are inspired my many but when in comes down to the pain we run for TOM,VIVIAN and JUNE. It is our honor to do this for you. Saving a life one mile at a time.