Dear Supporters,

I just wanted thank you all so very much for all your support and encouragement during this journey over the past several months for training and fundraising.

I completed my first half-marathon on January 20th as a part of the Bermuda Marathon Weekend. One of my coaches, Dari, shared with me during our last week of training in NYC that there are 3 phases to a marathon: first phase, run with your head. second phase, run with your legs and third phase, run with you heart. I made sure to be mindful of the first phase of running with my head and not starting out too fast. I will admit I struggled with the second phase as I my left knee was attempting to slow me down (which it did, but I kept going slow or not) and the third phase was all heart...I was in a little pain, but I kept moving.

Apparently it usually rains on marathon day and the day I ran was no exception...it started to rain around mile 2 or 3--not hard but I was indeed soaked once I crossed the finish line in exactly 3 hours...I really wish my time was better; however, ultimately for a first time endurance event my main goal was to finish...and I was able to do that with the support of all the amazing TNT coaches along the course! In addition to glancing down at all the names of donor's loved ones made in memory and honor on my singlet; therefore, I knew I had to keep pushing through for them. For those of you who donated in memory and honor of loved ones, as promised I ran in their names on my singlet. Once my camera can properly upload the photos I will share it with you and make sure you receive the ribbon. I also ran in memory of my aunt Louise Dowling Burch, god-father Ross Wilson and both my maternal and paternal grandmothers, Edith Corbin Dowling and Odessa Strothers. I felt them with me the whole way. Seeing my mom and cousins at the finish line was an incredible feeling! I'm grateful for this journey and the opportunity to have met such upstanding people along the way.

I am incredibly grateful and humbled by all your contributions and support. Each of you made this possible for me, so again thank you abundantly!

With great appreciation,

Kellie

CONGRATULATIONS to Stephany Anene for being the winning 50/50 Raffle ticket drawn!

Sara and I raised a total of $360, and Stephany will receive $180 of it! Thank you all for your very generous support!!

The 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser has been extended to December 5th. The winning ticket will be posted on here by 10pm on Dec., 5th. Thank you to those who have participated thus far in the 50/50 fundraiser for LLS!

For those of you who would like to make a direct donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) please see the "Make a Donation" section to the right of this page. Thank you so much for your support!!

Our Saturday morning Group Training Session (GTS) on Oct., 27th was held at Coach Michael's company Finish Line Physical Therapy on West 23rd St.--where Coach Michael's very friendly and social dog, Miles, stole hearts, food and greeted each of us :) We all met there at 8:30 AM, divided into our pace groups and headed out for our training practice along the west side highway. A nice recovery breakfast awaited us when we all returned in preparation for the Connection to the Cause event.

At Connection to the Cause we heard from honored teammates who shared their personal stories battling cancer--their level of fortitude and perseverance is remarkable--what an absolute inspiration they all are, and it truly is an honor to have them as teammates. One teammate shared the cost of his medication which is $125 for only ONE PILL (that he must take daily to live)!! This is why your donations are so important, and will help people through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

In addition to raising funds for LLS and training to run a 1/2 marathon for those who cannot, I also got the inside of my cheeks swabbed to register to become a bone marrow donor. The representative from DKMS who was at Connection to the Cause shared a brief overview about being a registered bone marrow donor, and I was totally on board! I feel on many levels we are all here to be of service--and to be of service and support each other--however that resonates through action in each of us. It resonates for me at this time by: if I can I contribute by participating in LLS's Team in Training race and fundraising to assist toward medicial research and treatment, and by registering as a bone marrow donor to hopefully improve the quality of another's life, then so be it...For, "it is not me, but we".

I graciously thank you for your interest in reading my update, and for your generous donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.