• "You run races and raise money. What I had yet to learn — and what people who'd done this before already know — is that it isn't just about fixing a problem, or doing something for somebody else. Sometimes, it's about healing a hurt inside. It's that sometimes by making your body hurt on the outside, the hurt on the inside begins to heal." - Aja Albiar

That's a quote from one of my best friends and the person who got me to run this crazy event we call a marathon! I just completed my first marathon ever in Nashville and loved my experience with Team in Training so I thought I'd come right back and do it again!

Hi everyone, I am training to participate in the Nike's Women's Marathon (and yes smart men do run this event! =o) ) on October 19, 2008 in San Francisco as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. Everyone involved with Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

I've dedicated this season to running in honor of Robert Schultze who is currently battling blood cancers. Robert is a grandfather of a very close person to me and it would mean the world if you would leave him a comment here on this page and/or make a donation in his honor.

Where does your donation go?

• A donation of $1000.00 makes possible one-on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.
• A donation of $500.00 could provide patient aid to a person with Leukemia or a related cancer for a year.
• A donation of $300.00 will train 25 peer volunteers who can provide emotional support to newly diagnosed patients.
• A donation of $150.00 provides 10 patients access to a web-conference to learn about their specific blood cancer.
• A donation of $100.00 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
• A donation of $50.00 makes possible a Family Support Group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.
• A donation of $25.00 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.

I ask that you look deep and even if you donated to dig a little deeper and make a donation. Last time we raised more than $3,800 and I know we can run right by this goal. You donate I'll do the running. I promise you that. Thank you in advance for all your support and donations. I know that together we can find a cure.