My Fundraising Page

Off the Couch and Over the Finish Line 3 times and counting.

I participate with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT) and raise funds to battle leukemia and other cancers. Over the years, leukemia research has proven to be the window of hope for potential cures for all forms of cancer. Bone marrow transplantation as well as chemotherapy – the backbone for treatment of most forms of cancer – stemmed from leukemia research.

In July 2010, I became involved because I wanted TNT’s help to get me “off the couch” and “over the finish line” of a marathon. Sunday March 13th 2011, I completed my 3rd half marathon since getting off the couch last July. Along with a personal goal to raise $2,550, my 2011 calendar has two upcoming races -- the Disneyland Half Marathon in September and the Nike Women's Marathon in October.

My passion for raising funds for LLS is very personal. The day after our friend’s son was born he was diagnosed with an exceedingly rare form of blood cancer – Congenital Acute Myeloid Leukemia – and given the dire prognosis of two days to two weeks survival. Against all odds, he fought through five rounds of the most toxic chemo drugs available when a relapse revealed that his only hope for a cure was a bone marrow transplant. He lost his battle when he was just six months old but, before he did, nearly 10,000 people in the Sacramento, California region (and many more nationwide) were added to the National Bone Marrow Registry because of him.

My connections don't stop there. I have a family member who lives with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) every day and another family member who is in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). While the causes of leukemia and lymphoma are not currently known, my husband and I are at greater risk of getting NHL or CLL due to our relationship with these family members.

LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. Their mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Join me in keeping hope alive and click Donate Now!

The pain and struggles that cancer patients and their families go through every day is worth the few days of sore muscles, bruised knees, and the "no thank yous" I encounter on the road to my $2,550 fundraising goal and a finisher's medal.

It's not a matter of if a cure will be found, but when! Join my team and click Donate Now!

Thank you for your consideration.

Katie Gilchrest