HELLO AND WELCOME!

I am officially registered and training to run in my first marathon in May! I’ll be running the Colfax Marathon in Denver. I have dreamed of running a marathon for as long as I've been running (all the way back to middle school), but I have lacked the motivation to get my butt into gear. That all changed recently when my friend Jason Hornyak was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Following his diagnosis, Jason started a blog, where he has been documenting his experience and all of the emotions that come with it. Jason has the ability to find the light in the darkest of situations, and puts his thoughts into words in a way that leaves you laughing one moment and tearing up the next. 

It didn't take long before I was completely inspired by his writing. In one post in particular, Jason discussed vulnerability and his fears and doubts as he navigates through this journey that really spoke to me. We all live with these thoughts, but he is putting them together so eloquently, and providing an example of how to respond when we are faced with the struggles and depths of life -- a positive perspective makes all the difference. Specifically, there was one sentence that called out to me:

"...the only thing that could make me happier would be the knowledge that my weird genetic cancer mutation would somehow make it so one less person has to handle the same fate."

It wasn't long after reading that post that I committed to running my first marathon. I had the motivation I needed to get my butt into gear. I would be running in honor of Jason - in honor of his strength, determination, humor, vulnerability, and his love. So, in addition to the outpouring of love and support Jason has received in the past few weeks, it is my hope that we can also bring a few more ounces of happiness into his life by raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to go toward research to find cures and to ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients in order to hopefully make it so one less person has to handle the same fate.

I will be running the marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training endurance program. In return for their training and support, I have pledged to raise $1500 to help fund research and support for blood cancer patients and their families. This will definitely be a challenge for me, but not nearly as big as the challenge these patients face everyday. Here are some facts about blood cancer and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
• Leukemia is the number-one disease killer of children, yet it affects 9 times as many adults!
• Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.  Every 10 minutes someone will die from a blood cancer.
• Over 75% of the funds spent by LLS go directly to research the causes and treatments for blood cancers.

I would greatly appreciate any contribution you can offer. Big or small, it will be put to good use – it goes directly to the patients and to finding a cure. 

Please consider joining me in supporting Jason and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to make a positive difference in everyone living with blood cancer. Thank you!