August 20, 2008

Hello all!

Since I wrote you last things have changed a bit in the running world of Laura. Running is going well. Don't hate me, but I decided to run the half marathon (13.1 miles). I was having nightmares about running 26.2 miles. I think it was a bit irrational to be so stressed out so much but that is okay! I have learned I have limitations. Mostly I didn’t want to let those down who are supporting me financially. Then I realized it isn’t really me you are supporting, but this amazing organization that is battling leukemia and lymphoma. I am really amazed by two major things in this process. I am amazed at how God made the human body and how if you really push yourself, then you can accomplish large hurdles. Though I am running the half, it is still pretty intense training. I am up to running about 5-6 miles per day. (Actually I should be out running right now, but I am choosing the easy route of updating you on my status!) Secondly, I am amazed at how many people are battling a blood cancer or know of a loved one who is battling cancer. I have never been involved with an organization where I am so blown away by the experiences people share with me. This is cause so outside of myself, I am baffled by this ravenous disease. One woman just shared with me how her friend was diagnosed with what she though was a cold, and then found out it was Hodgkin’s, and died 4 days later. Alternately, my cousin told me an amazing story of her best friend’s son who was diagnosed with leukemia but was able to get the proper care and has been in recovery for many years now. I am really amazed by these stories of despair and triumph. It is something I find myself actually proud to be a part of helping to aid. So I am willing to be the vessel if that means a few less people have to suffer! I am grateful I am so fortunate and healthy!

I am encouraged by what financial support can do to for these who are suffering. Research and helping people become informed and correctly diagnosed and medicated so they can go on to live happy fulfilling lives. Thanks to your help and support I am about $800 away from the financial support goal. This still seems like a large amount, but that also means through your care and kindness, I have raised $2100 for cancer research which is pretty amazing. 75% of the funds spent by the Society go directly to fund research and patient services. We had a yard sale this past weekend and raised $250 (which I have been told is a lot for a one day yard sale. Pictures soon to follow). There is still time to donate. In the earlier letter I posted the deadline of August 1, this was the halfway mark. In order to continue, I needed to have 25% of the money fundraised by August (and thank you for making that happen!). I now have until October 10th to get the remainder of the money in. I have included the website again to donate quickly online and receive an automatic tax receipt (all donations are 100% tax deductible). If you should choose to mail in your support please print out the form and mail it to the address below.

This is the website which shows the course I will be running. Feel free to come up to San Francisco and join in the marathon! Either running a few miles with me or cheering along from the sidelines!

http://www.nike.com/nikemarathon/media/pdf/nike_marathon.pdf

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!

Laura Miller

July 2008

Hello!

So I am still training for the marathon! I am almost halfway through the program, it is week 8. This is crazy because it feels like I just started! We are up to double digits in our long training sessions (every Saturday, feel free to join me!). I am putting in the physical part because this is a foundation I believe wholeheartedly in the good that they are doing. Each training we are blessed to have a “mission moment” which is a time when an individual shares their personal experience with cancer. It is heartbreaking to hear, but inspiring because I am able to use the health I have been blessed with to raise support for those less healthy. There is one man who inspires me weekly. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease and beat the cancer with the financial help of team in training. He now joins us in running in the marathons. I think he has now run in 4 marathons! I feel I have no excuse to be lazy when he is around!

I am a little less than halfway finished with the fundraising. I have $1,000 of the $2,900 raised. I need to raise the money by August 1! Which is approaching so quickly! Just so you do not think the money is being spent in some corporate world, I provided a chart of where the money is spent. The things that baffles me is how much it costs for the small costs that are associated with hospitals that you don’t think of. Everyone realizes there are insurance bills, but the copays, the prescription fees, and the parking fees and all of the needed elements that are required to pay that add up. I really like how the fundraising helps to take care of these small elements to help ease the burden on the family.

I feel like I could go on and on writing of all of the amazing things that I have learned during this experience, but I am not sure that you would keep reading!

Thank you for your encouragement and support! Feel free to contact me with any future questions! Also I post new fun pictures and stories at this blog spot, go check it out!

June 23, 2008

I usually run around and have all of these astounding, deep philosophical revelations and observations, but then I forget to write them down. I will try to do better with expounding upon my contemplations. This is a bit of what I am thinking about -

God created an amazing machine when he created the human body. It is fascinating how it can be pushed and what the body can do. 4 weeks ago I could not run half a mile. Somehow I have worked my way up to 5 miles, one day I even ran 6 miles!! Crazy to me that I am able to do this. I may even be able to complete the full marathon.

It is also fascinating the people I encounter on my little jogs. There are 2 distinct types of people. I am a very smiley person and I usually smile and say hello to everyone. I usually get 1 of 2 reactions – I either get a very confused look away, or a polite smile and hello back. One adorable old man tipped his hat and let me pass. It makes me sad that there is not so much chivalry here in Orange County.

This training is teaching me that I cannot be in control of everything. I want to have all of the fundraiser money instantaneously, I want to be 20 pounds lighter instantaneously, I want to be an amazing jogger instantaneously. But I suppose I have to be patient and work up the endurance for it. These things all will come, I will have to work on patience. I am being forced to work on patience. It is a good thing.

I guess that is all I have for now. SPONSER ME!!!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Laura

Racing to Save Lives

Hi Friend, Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

Ok, I think I’ve done something that even I think is crazy—I signed up to run a marathon to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team In Training. Yep, I said marathon. I think the stress of the school year is getting to me…I’ve never run more than 2 miles in my life, and now I’m going to train to run 26.2 miles! Keep in mind that I am a girl who received a “D” in PE class freshman year for refusing to run (oh the irony!).

What on earth would possess me to attempt this? I joined an organization called The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I will be training with with a group known as Team In Training (TNT) which is the world's largest endurance sports training program. In exchange for training and support, it is my primary focus to raise money towards cures for blood cancers including leukemia, Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma and myeloma. Blood related cancers will strike 110,000 people per year, and are the #1 killer of children. New cases of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease account for 8% of the new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Every five minutes, someone in the U.S. learns that he or she has leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma—nearly 300 people a day. And the scary thing is that these diseases are the leading fatal cancers among those under the age of 20.

But all is not doom and gloom. In fact, there is something that can be done and Team In Training is doing it every day! In my commitment to Team In Training, I will be competing in the Nike Women's Marathon and Half Marathon in San Francisco, on October 19, 2008—that’s 26.2 miles! As a member of the TEAM I have promised to raise $2,900 to help research and fund patient care in the fight against cancer. When The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded in 1949 as a national voluntary organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients and their families, the survival rate of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia was less than 3%. But with today’s advancements funded through organizations like TNT, the survival rate has increased to more than 80%. I am excited to work with TNT because Money Magazine has rated The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as one of the top 10 charities in the United States because more than 75% of the funds spent by the Society go directly to fund research and patient services.

Now I know you may be thinking that I’ve lost my mind (and I wholeheartedly agree with you!), but my challenge of running 26.2 miles is nothing compared to the challenges of those afflicted with leukemia or any other type of cancer. Please join me in this fight by contributing generously to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by completing the enclosed donor form and sending in your tax deductible contribution. I will do the physical part, but I ask for your generous support and encouragement in my endeavors. Every bit helps and I need your help to really make a difference. Thank you for your support and I look forward to keeping you posted on my progress. Wish me luck…I’ll need it!

Love,

Laura Miller

Laura Miller - TNT Volunteer

2310 Santa Ana, Unit I

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

949-680-7893 cell

Federal Tax Deductible ID # 13-5644916

Please make all checks out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or simply “LLS”

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!