The Disney Half Marathon event I had committed to took place yesterday, Saturday Jan. 8th.

Jim and I went to Orlando Friday, checked in at the race center and explored the Expo. There were 27,000 registered participants for each event (Marathon and Half Marathon) for a total of 55,000 people participating in the two races.

Friday night we had a meeting of the Palm Beach Chapter of Team in Training, of which I am a member and I was honored as the highest fundraiser. Jim and I attended the Inspiration Dinner after that meeting. The dinner was for all of the TNT members from all over the country that were participating in the weekend's endurance events. There were 1200 people. These 1200 people had raised over 4 million dollars! And when they recognized the top 10 fundraising achievers in the country I was one of them!! I cried. Jim was very proud. I was proud to have made such a contribution. But I was only the gatherer. It was all of you, who supported me with your donations, that made it possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you. When I was thanked by the representatives of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society I just said "Please find a cure".

I woke at 2:30am Saturday morning to meet my group at 3:15. We were transported by bus to the start area and after some waiting (it takes some time to move that many people into start position) the race began at 6am. The sites and entertainment along the route were unbelievable..Disney knows how to put on an event.

I struggled after mile 10 but I thought about Jim and I thought about all of you who had encouraged and supported me and I drew on mental strength I didn't know I had and crossed the finish line with a smile and tears. Jim and my two daughters, Kristin and Kelli were there waiting for me. It was a moment we will all remember forever.

Thank you to the TNT coaches for the help and training and support literally every step of the way...from the minute I showed up at the first training session in August to the final step over the finish line.

Thank you again to everyone who supported me.

Doreen

PS- Jim had his last of 6 chemo treatments on 11/23. The follow up PET Scan showed NO sign of cancer..complete remission!!

Never in a million years did I think I'd be training for a half marathon and doing it to raise money and awareness for blood cancer.

Jim, a truely great person as we all know, was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and is in the midst of intense rounds of chemotherapy. As I looked for information and support I found The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I found strength in the challenge to participate in the Disney Half Marathon with the Team in Training program. This event is taking place on Jan 8th in Orlando. My teammates and I are positive, strong and determined to help LLS in their mission to find a cure and support all who have been touched by this disease.

Again never in a million years did I think we, as a couple, would be facing cancer..but we are. Jim is facing a challenge and with this personal physical challenge, so am I ...please support us! No donation is too small since every dollar makes a difference.

If you would prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and send it to:

Autogeek.net

C/O Doreen McKee

7744 SW Jack James Drive

Stuart. FL 34997

I hope you will visit my web page often. I'll be sure to share my training and fund raising progress. I can tell already I won't be able to keep Jim away from posting his own blog entries ripe with Jim's own unique sense of humor!

From the bottom of my heart - Thanks for your support!

Doreen