"When Cancer Strikes...Again."

Chicago Marathon...October, 2013. This was the last marathon I ran. I trained for this race through my father's cancer diagnosis and treatments, and through a marriage separation. You could say it was the perfect storm when I fractured my foot at mile 14 on the course, and had to drop out at mile 16. I haven't trained for a race since.

Then I registered for Wineglass Marathon. I sat with the entry, with no sense of urgency to train and no real plans to execute. Until I read the quote in the title, above. "When Cancer Strikes...Again."

It was the news of a good friend's cancer diagnosis that hit my heart. I first met Matt White over a decade ago. He's the kind of person you meet and instantly like. He introduced me to one of my closest friends. He is the kind of person the world is lucky to have. I'm forever grateful for Matt. 

He first fought and beat cancer when he was seven years old. The course of treatment he had in the 1980s cured his cancer, but damaged his liver. Now in his 30s, with a beautiful wife, married just three years, and father to a gorgeous set of twins, Matt's fighting liver cancer. 

While Matt has undergone chemotherapy and surgery, his ultimate treatment is to receive a liver transplant. As he waits for a match, he is staying fit by playing sports and being active with his family. Because of Matt's athletic character, and his love of nature, I approached him about running Wineglass Marathon to help raise awareness in his honor. 

This leaves me with 12 weeks to train...and 12 weeks to raise $10,000 to honor Matt. 

As Audrey Hepburn said: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible."

We all have the power to make this happen. So the breakdown in the next 12 weeks is this: 

• Matt fights. 
• I train and fundraise.
• You give. As generously as your circumstances and heart allow. 

Online giving is fast and secure. Your gift is tax deductible. 

If I reach my goal of $10,000 by October 4th, I will make an additional personal donation to the charity of Matt's choice - up to $1000. So, please...only good can come from us all working together. 

To read more of Matt's story, check out his blog. Matt and his wife, Tessa, are posting updates on his fight and his treatment. Join us to help make a difference. 

(And as Matt told me, he's super excited to have his own hashtag.)

#WineglassForWhitey