Running Leukemia into the Ground!!

Welcome to my Team In Training progress website!!

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Helping blood cancer patients live longer, better lives

Click HERE for the The History of Team in Training

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Update 10/22/09

Thank you so much for your support! The race was awesome, as was my weekend in San Francisco with my family, Nicole's family, and my TEAM! I feel so accomplished, not only because I ran a full marathon, but also because I know we together made a difference in the search for a cure to blood cancers! Thanks again to each and every one of you - you are all heroes! xxxooo Ananda

Update 10/14/09

Wow - I can't believe it's almost here! I leave for San Francisco FRIDAY and race on SUNDAY! And I am so close to my goal! A HUGE Thank You to all my supporters! If you want to be notified via text on my progress, you can sign up here. Unfortunately, Nike doesn't have a way to check split times online :( Don't worry though - I will certainly be updating this website as well as sending an update to all my supporters after the race! Thanks again to each and every one of you! xxxooo Ananda

Update 8/16/09

Another 14 Miles yesterday! My Disneyland Package with dinner and hotel sold for $270, and while the Art Show could have been better, I still raised an additional $135 to the cause! Next weekend is going to be 16 miles on the long run, and I am also volunteering at the OC Night of Lights to raise even more money. Time is flying by - we are only NINE weeks away from the marathon! Time is certainly flying!

Update 7/21/09

First of all, THANK YOU to all my donors! I made my first milestone goal!!!! $3000 before 7/31! I love each and every one of you. As far as training goes, our all team practice and first group 10 miler went good! It was blistering hot though, and not much fun. But do you know how I got through it? I kept telling myself that running in the heat was nowhere near as uncomfortable as the chemo Nicole went through just a few days earlier. I am thankful I have the opportunity to run, even in the heat. As far as fundraising goes, I have my next fundraiser set up - an art show in Costa Mesa. Hope I will see a few of you there! xxxooo Ananda

Update 7/14/09

This weekend is our first all team practice (cycle, triathalon, AND marathon) and we will be running 10 miles! I started my "Gimme Five" campaign and hoping it gives me the little extra push to get to my goal of $3000 by the end of July. The August 15 art show is still in the works so stay tuned, and a I am still working on a fundraising night in the Agoura Hills area! GO TEAM!!!

First auction of advertising space on my body was successful

just not wildly so. What do you think? Should I keep auctioning?

• Left Calf sponsored by Jess Carpenter, http://www.jcvaluesite.com/

Update 6/13/09

I ran 5 miles today with my team and felt pretty good! And of course, thanks to my generous donors, I am already 36% to my fundraising goal!!! GO TEAM! You guys are truly awesome, and I am lucky to have each and every one of you. I have some more fundraisers up my sleeve - hoping to get something set up in the Agoura Hills area sometime in July, and then I am planning an art show fundraiser on August 15 - stay tuned for more details! xxxooo Ananda

Other ways you can support me, Team in Training and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society:

• Shop for products on http://www.jcvaluesite.com/ - 20% of all sales go to my fundraising!
• Buy or renew a magazine through http://www.magfundraising.com/LeukemiaLymphomaSociety5 - 40% goes towards my fundraising efforts!
• Order Jewelry: http://www.cookielee.biz/esuite/home/MichelleButterfield. Mention Ananda Ybarra/Team in training when ordering. 40% goes towards my fundraising efforts!
• Donate an old cell phone! Bring them to any upcoming fundraising event or email me at dhc_ananda@hotmail.com to coordinate the pick up
• Shop for green products at www.motherearthfundraising.com

Why am I doing this?

My name is Ananda and most people would call me crazy. Why? Because I'm training to run the Nike Women's Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. Yep, I said marathon. 26.2 miles! Why would I do this? To raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

Did you know:

• An estimated 894,543 Americans are living with leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndromes
• Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed - more than 110,00 new cases are expected this year
• Every 10 minutes, loses their battle - this statistic represents nearly 145 people each day, or six people every hour
• These blood cancers accounted for nearly 9.4 percent of the deaths from cancer in 2008, based on the 565,650 total cancer-related deaths
• Leukemia causes more deaths than any other blood cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20
• With all that being said, the strides towards a cure are astronomical! Since the 1960's, the 5 year survival rate of those with leukemia has risen from 14% to 48% and those affected with Hodgkin lymphoma has risen from 40% to 86%. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is making a difference!

I have never had the desire to run a full marathon - something like that was impossible in my mind. Then on August 27, 2008, a beautiful, sweet and caring little girl I know, Nicole, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Nicole is an energetic and vibrant five year old who is still currently undergoing chemotherapy at City of Hope in Duarte, CA. Even though chemotherapy isn't easy, it hasn't diminished Nicole's spirit, and she still keeps up with her older brother and his friends! Her hair is starting to grow back so she is sporting an adorable pixie cut! But I can't wait to see her gorgeous curls again.

Nicole's diagnosis had a tremendous effect on me. I could have just donated some money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I could have decided to run a half-marathon. But compared to the challenge that those afflicted with Leukemia or any type of cancer face on a daily basis, a marathon is nothing. I don't want to run this marathon, I have to. Therefore, I have decided to donate my time, my effort, and my spirit in addition to money. I will run this marathon in honor of Nicole and her family - Jim, Dena and Jack - as well as for all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line: a cure!

My personal goal is to raise $5000. Your donation will support my participation in Team In Training, but most of all will help advance the Society's mission to FIND A CURE for patients like Nicole! At least 75% of all funds raised goes directly into research, education, and patient services.

So will you join me? I promise I won't make you run! All I ask is that you contribute to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in some way. If you can donate, great! If you can't, maybe you can forward my website to people who can. Check out the list above of other things you can do and purchase to help , and watch for updates on upcoming fundraising events!

Remember, every donation makes a difference, no matter what the size!

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