to view my training: http://rnboogie.blogspot.com/

to donate (even $5 is extremely appreciated!!!) , use this page & select "other." you can hide your donation amount also.

love & gratitude,

gemma

"Occasionally, we are graced with the presence of an earth-bound angel. They are unable to stay with us for long, but while they do, they bring unprecedented joy and happiness to all."

So I am not a runner. I'd run , say, if someone scary is chasing me. As a leap of faith, something brought me to a meeting on July 24th to sign up for Honolulu's Full Marathon in December (honolulumarathon.org).

My adorable, beautiful Godson Jaden was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) at the tender age of 9 1/2 months. After a long battle with the disease, Jaden joined the angels in 2007 at the age of 2. He is my inspiration. He is what inspired me to become an Oncology nurse, which I did during my first year out of nursing school. Now I am an OB RN and I know Jaden guides me through trying nights on shift. Grace & Jesus Fortu (Jaden's mommy and daddy) continue to be my inspiration. We've done 'Light the Night Walks' with Jaden as our honoree with my crazy, loving Calderon (and Diwa!) family, but this time I wanted to do something 'greater than me.'

So now I'm training to participate in my very first endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. A 26 mile run (Yikes! Right now I'm wondering ...what did I get myself into?) But all of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop blood cancers from taking more lives. Lives like Jadenboy, so this keeps me looking forward to throwing on my running shoes. I am completing this event in honor Jaden, Gianna (big sis), Grace, and Jesus Fortu, and of all individuals and families who are battling these diseases every day. These folks are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

This is where, I’m hoping, YOU come in. Though I can do the training, I need your help to reach my fundraising goal. Every dollar you donate is tax-deductible and 75% of the money raised will go directly to research and patient services in the Bay Area.

Your financial support will not only help save the lives of those afflicted with blood-related cancers but make their lives more comfortable and manageable while they are fighting – and winning against the disease. Also, consider that many of the strides that are made toward curing blood-related cancers translate into making a difference in fighting all types of cancers.

Finally (and most importantly), if you know someone who has been afflicted with a blood-cancer, I would love to run in their honor. Please let me know their name(s) and I will be sure to recognize them on my Team in Training Homepage.

Thank you in advance for your support and please check my blog out http://rnboogie.blogspot.com/ from time to time for updates as I continue on this journey to the finish line.

Love you guys :) / gem