Dear Friends and Family,

Well, I think I’ve finally lost it! Yep, I’m going to be completing the Nike Women’s Marathon on the hills of San Francisco, CA. on October 16th, 2011. I decided I wanted to try something crazy!! But I do have a good reason for taking on this insane challenge…

Did you know that 1 out of 330 children will develop cancer before their 20th birthday? The majority of these cancers will be blood cancers. Everyday, 46 kids and their families find out that they have cancer and although researchers have made great strides in progress, 35% of those kids will die. 16 out of 46—sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews—will be gone. That’s the bad news and it’s really BAD. This is the reason I’ve decided to get involved.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest, non-profit organization dedicated to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related cancers as well as improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

My goal is to raise $4500 to help the Society find cures to fight this battle with cancer. I need your help to get me there!

I understand times are tight, and I haven’t seen some of you in years. That being said, I would guess that most of you have known someone who has been affected by cancer. Your donation, no matter how big or small, allows you and me to honor them.

Hundreds of runners from the U.S. will be a part of this team and you can be too! (Don’t worry, you don’t have to run a single mile!) Your tax-deductible donation allows you to relax at home, knowing you have done a great job simply by making a financial contribution. (I’ll be the crazy person to run 26.2 miles!)

I will be running this race for three people. My sister, Ruth, was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in January of 2005. Thankfully, she survived, but many others are not so lucky. I am also running for 4 year old Serena Harrier who was diagnosed in October of 2010 with T-Cell Leukemia, and also for Hilary Horton-Brown, who is still battling Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and has been for the last 8 years. I have learned that research for blood cancer may pave the way for a cure for ALL cancers, so I am running for that!

When you’re ready to donate, please click on the "Donate Now" icon on this page. Please send your donations no later than July 15th, 2011 as that is my deadline. Thank You for your support!!! Rachel Link