Racing to Save Lives

My name is Austin Stratton and I am NOT a runner. However in May 2006 my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma and that changes things. He was given a 50/50 chance of surviving his illness and by the time he finished chemo in October 2006 he was in remission. The following October he and I were able to get married and have since been blessed with two beautiful children.

Over 900,000 people in the United States right now are being affected by Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkins Lymphoma, and Myeloma. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) gathers people together from all walks of life to raise money and support for the families battling these illness's. The money raised by TNT's bikes, hikes, walks, runs, and triathalons goes to support research, fund new treaments, comfort patients, and help provide financial aid for the families affected.

Since I met Mark and he became a member of LLS I have wanted to participate in a TNT event and this is my year. On June 5th I will be running in the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon. This will be my first event that I have run in EVER. Please as you read this remember to pray for the doctors, families and individuals that are working so tirelessly to battle this disease. The Lord blessed my husband with an amazing oncologist that worked to get him the treatment that was exactly right for him and had people literally across the world praying for him. I firmly believe that without the prayers of so many people Mark's outcome would have been much different.

I also urge anyone reading this to please as I said before pray not only for the families and individuals affected with this but for the doctors and scientists that are working to find a cure. Pray that the Lord would open new avenues to explore to find a cure and ease the pain of these cancers. Ever 4 seconds in the United States there is a new blood cancer diagnosis and ever 10 seconds someone will lose their battle with one of these diseases. I will be runningmy race in honor of my husband Mark Stratton, and in memory of both of our grandfathers. This battle is something that is very close to my heart and without the research and battles that had been fought before Mark's he might not be here with us today. My personal goal to raise is $2900 by my race in June. If you can and feel lead to help me hit my goal I know that your gift will be used to the fullest. Together I believe we can continue to improve the outcome for everyone diagnosed with this illness.

April 6, 2011

It has been entirely too long since I have updated everyone on my progress. Thus far I am up to 12 miles on weekends with shorter runs during the week. I was reminded once again this week as I have been through this whole process that the Lord is who gives me the strength to do this. My allergies have been acting up and have caused some severe breathing problems for me. Now I know they will be rectified but it is hard not to get discourage, until I remember yet again where I get my strength to do this. If the Lord gave Mark the strength to daily battle months on end for his life, I will have the strength to survive rough weeks. Thank you Lord and GO TEAM!

March 8, 2011

There are just some days like today that I DO NOT want to get up and run. I want to stay in my nice warm and cozy bed, I don't want to get up I do not want to run 6.5 miles in the morning and 4 at night. Then as I am lying there listening to my alarm I remind myself why I am doing this. I remind myself of the days that it literally took every ounce of energy that Mark had just to get out of bed. I am remind of the days that it took all he had to sit up and watch a movie with me. I remember that I do not want him or anyone else to have to suffer that same fate, and so once again, I get up. I put both feet on the floor, put my shorts, shirt, socks, and shoes on, I go down stairs walk out my front door, turn on my ipod and say a prayer, Thanking the Lord for the strength I know only comes from Him to get up and do this. Phillipians 4:13.....Then I run

March 2, 2011

I have 9.5 miles in 1 run and 11.5 in one day. I can now comfortably go 7 miles. The Lord has so blessed me with the ability to do this, and is keeping my body healthy. Prayfully I will be able to keep this up. GO TEAM

February 25, 2011

So far my farthest distance that I have done is 7.1 miles in one stretch and 9.5 in one day. Be sure if you are able to give to check and see if your company does charitable gift matching not only will it help us reach our goal it is a great tax deduction for them.