I can hardly believe that we're coming down to the final few weeks for training for the US Ironman Championships on August 11.

Just a reminder that we're also coming to our final weeks of fundraising. So, don't miss out on the opportunity to support my efforts and make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Every dollar makes a difference and is 100% tax deductible, so please give what you can. Your support is greatly appreciated.

It's been an absolutely amazing journey, and I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to both pursue a personal dream and help in the fight against blood cancers. In the meantime, I've met a lot of incredible people and made some lasting friendships. I'm also in the best shape of my life!

How do your donations help to fight cancer?

Here is a list of some amounts and how they aid blood cancer patients

$50 will register 1 person to be a bone marrow donor.

$75 will provide HLA (bone marrow) typing for a family member of a patient with leukemia.

$100 will pay for the cost of 4 patient’s chemotherapy drug prescription co-payments.

$300 will train 25 peer volunteers who can provide emotional support to newly diagnosed patients.

$500 will provide patient aid to a person with Leukemia or a related cancer for a year.

$1000 allows patients to meet with health care specialists to design and discuss their disease, treatment plan and prepare them with the info they will need during the treatment process.

$2000 provides patients with a one month supply of Gleevec.

Every year, my dear friend and colleague Michelle Bogosian selects a charitable cause in memory of her daughter Isabella Gabriella Durando (Bella). Once again this year, she has chosen to help me raise money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Bella passed away 9 years ago from cancer, and because leukemia is one of the leading causes of cancer in children, Michelle thought it would be a nice way to honor Bella's memory.

Please help with your donation as I swim, bike, and run for Bella!

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

How far will you go to find a cure for cancer?

How about an Ironman -2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking, and 26.2 miles running - a total of 140.6 miles. This is quite a daunting challenge for me, especially as a triathlon newbie and non-swimmer (I've started swim classes already). The responses from friends and family has ranged from "You're crazy" to "That's awesome"! I think it's a little of both.

Three years ago, I signed up to run the New Jersey Marathon, my first marathon with Team in Training. Since then, I've run 6 marathons, 8 half-marathons and countless other races. Many of you have shown your support along the way, and for that I am truly grateful!

I originally started running with the rather selfish goal of completing the ING NYC Marathon, a lifetime dream of mine. However, as soon as I sent out my first fundraising letter, I soon realized that I did have a Connection to the Cause - my Uncle Ben had been recently diagnosed with myelodysplasmic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood cancer. Sadly, he passed away the morning of August 31, 2009 . At just 56, he leaves behind a wife and two children and an extended family who will miss him deeply.

Additionally, this year I am running in honor of my father who was diagnosed with throat cancer last year. After several really scary months of surgery and waiting for test results, he is now cancer-free and resuming his active lifestyle. I credit his quick recovery to his spirit along with the advances in life-saving cancer treatments.

I'm currently training to participate in the inaugural NYC Ironman on August 11, 2012, my sixth season as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers from taking more lives.

I am completing this amazing event in honor of all individuals and their families who are affected by cancer, particularly Uncle Ben and my father.

These people are the real heroes on our team, and this is why we run...we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Your donation is 100% tax deductible, so give as generously as you can.

If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mail to: Kimera 366 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217

You can follow me on Twitter @milesforcancer to get updates on my training and special fundraising events.

Thanks for your support!