Mar 18, 2011
The Purple Shirt
By Greg Gerfen
You began this journey because cancer somehow touched your life. No wait—cancer doesn’t touch. It punches, crashes, explodes, decimates. And when it strikes and changes lives, everyone reacts differently.
Your reaction was to fight back. And fight back hard. You chose to honor the stricken. You chose to raise money for treatments, support, and research to find a cure. And, you chose to challenge yourself in the process.
By now, you’ve worked to meet your fundraising goal (or have come close), you’ve endured mile upon mile of training, you’ve missed sleeping in, and you’ve suffered through aches and pains. Your families and friends have put up with your complaining, begging, bragging. You’ve put your heart and soul into this with the sole purpose of helping others.
And helping others is your goal. But, as you come to perhaps the hardest few weeks of your journey—the weeks when the miles are the longest, the weather gets unpredictable and the daylight wanes, you should be allowed to think about another goal. One that is all about you. One that lets you know that the hardest parts of this journey are behind you. That goal: Earning your Purple Shirt.
What’s so special about a purple shirt? If it was just any purple shirt, not much. But the Purple Shirt that you will earn and wear on race day is special. It signifies your dedication, devotion and sacrifice to help find a cure. It means you have met your goals of raising incredible amounts of money, putting in daily mileage you only thought would be possible in a car and taxing your spiritual self.
When you wear your Purple Shirt in your event, something amazing will happen. You will stand out. You will be recognized. You’ll be racing in a pack and spectators will single YOU out with words of encouragement. There’s power in the Purple Shirt.
The weeks leading up to your event can be stressful. For the first-time competitors, there is the unknown of the event. For the more experienced, it may be the pursuit of a new personal best time. Regardless of which you are your Purple Shirt transforms you from being just another competitor to being one of the elite participants in your event. You’ll find that other competitors respect your accomplishments. Spectators will encourage you and motivate you. Fellow TNT members will be yelling GO TEAM the whole race. Like Superman’s S, Batman’s mask or Spider Man’s web, your Purple Shirt makes you a superhero. You’ll see.
So, take some time to reflect on your journey, feel proud of what you have accomplished so far and set your mind to earning your Purple Shirt. It is truly a prize that is as special as those who wear it.
GO TEAM!
Mar 13, 2011
In less than one week, I will be running the LA Marathon! This has been such a great experience for me. I met some wonderful people, got into shape, and help out an amazing cause. If you would still like to help out, it's not too late!
There are two ways to donate:
1. My website, www.mikerunsla.com . Enter the amount you wish to donate. Click “Donate Now!” and you will receive an e-mail confirmation immediately and tax receipt. (All donations are tax deductible!) Please check with your employer’s Human Resources department about matching gift funds that will double your donation.
2. Snail Mail. If you would like to donate by mail, please make checks payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or LLS and mail directly to my house at:
1360 S. Countrywood,
La Habra, CA 90631
If you have any questions regarding donations or LLS, or if you just want to lend some support, you can always reach me via e-mail (mplangevin14@gmail.com) or by phone (562) 964-4539.
Jan 19, 2011
LAUGHING CUZ WE CARE - with some of So Cal's Up & Coming Comedians! All while supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training at the Brea Improv on Sunday, Jan. 30. Tickets: 1 for $35 or 2 for $60. For every ticket purchased, $10 will be donated directly to my fundraising account. Just be sure to enter my name "Michael Langevin" in the "participant name" when buying your tickets! Please message me for more information.
It’s not too late to donate!
There are two ways to donate:
1. My website, www.mikerunsla.com . Enter the amount you wish to donate. Click “Donate Now!” and you will receive an e-mail confirmation immediately and tax receipt. (All donations are tax deductible!) Please check with your employer’s Human Resources department about matching gift funds that will double your donation.
2. Snail Mail. If you would like to donate by mail, please make checks payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or LLS and mail directly to my house at:
1360 S. Countrywood,
La Habra, CA 90631
If you have any questions regarding donations or LLS, or if you just want to lend some support, you can always reach me via e-mail (mplangevin14@gmail.com) or by phone (562) 964-4539.
-Mike.
Jan 02, 2011
10 mile runs are getting easier. I look forward to the next 2 months of training and of course the LA Marathon.
Thank you for all your help and support so far.
-MIKE
Dec 19, 2010
Our full marathon team ran 10 miles this last Saturday.. in the rain! GO TEAM!!
I wanted to everyone for all your encouraging words and donations; keep 'em coming. It's not too late to join on the MIKE RUNS LA bandwagon.
-Mike
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.