I started this Ironman journey back in February of 2010. My dad was gravely ill from the side effects of the bone-marrow stemcell transplant. He was pretty unresponsive when I would talk with him in the hospital. I spent many a day up in Seattle talking to him while he slept. Telling him about vincent and telling him about the going-ons in my life. i shared that I wanted to take my Team in Training experience to the next level...IRONMAN! I didn't get a response but I knew he would be jazzed about it. He would have called me crazy for trying to learn to swim at 38 and trying to master a bike for 112 miles. I knew then that if I did do it, it would be with Team in Training and it would be in his honor.

Now it's almost here and I'm doing it in his memory. I have learned to swim not only 1 lap but 2 miles!!! I've learned how to clip into a road bike and how to sustain myself for 8 hours on said bike! I've run many marathons before but I'm learning now how to run AFTER moving my body for 10 hours prior! All of this is because I wanted to take it to the next level.

I wanted to take my fitness, my goal and my fundraising to the next level. I'm doing the training one mile at a time and raising CRUCIAL funds one dollar at a time. It is with profound gratitude that I thank you for your support. From the bottom of my little Iron heart! <3

Lovingly, Jas

You would have liked him. His sense of humor was wry and sarcastic. He pretty much called it like he saw it. He was super lovey-dovey and was the first to call me Jasi-poo. He adored Vincent and the two of them would go outside and be gone for hours doing man stuff. I think of him everyday.

He love Team in Training and that I was involved with it even before his diagnosis. He was especially fond of the honorees who he was able to get to know and later join at kickoff. He was always amazed that we as a Team chose to get up extra early and train rather than lie snuggled in bed on a Saturday. He would be blown away by the IronTeam training and all that I've accomplished so far with it. It will be wonderful to cross the finish line in Canada on August 28th in his memory. I'm sure his spirit will be there with me.

In my wetsuit. I've learned to swim and cycle and run after doing those things! Ironman is truly amazing! If you're interested in joining the upcoming season I would love to talk you into it!

Peter Dietze August 13, 1937-May 21, 2010. Have an amazing journey on the other side, Daddy.

Hello Beautiful Family and Friends,

As all of you are aware my beloved dad, Peter, lost his battle with Acute myleoid leukemia this past May. He died from complications of the bone-marrow stem-cell transplant. His body was simply too weak to fight and stave off infection. He died at home surrounded with love in the early morning hours on May 21st. My mom, Barbara, myself and countless others are at a loss without him in our lives.

From the diagnosis to the transplant the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and specifically Team in Training have been a godsend and saving grace for me. I've decided that the best way to honor my beloved dad is to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. I'll raise the money one donation at a time (with your help) and I'll raise awareness by training and completing an ........ drumroll, please......IRONMAN!

Ironman Canada to be specific! The event will be August 28th, 2011 and I'll be swimming for 2.4 miles, biking for another 112 miles and then I'll be running an entire marathon of 26.2 all within the 17 hour time-limit. Gulp.

I've set my personal goal at $10,000. TOGETHER we can reach this! In the past I've been so successful with my fundraising efforts thanks to YOU. Truly.

The LLS's mission statement is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

My dad was the recipient of clinical trials which were partly funded through LLS. We received reimbursements for parking, co-payments and travel. LLS was the main source of information when my dad was first diagnosed. Our journey and experience with the horrors of leukemia was softened a bit with the support of LLS and Team in Training.

I want to give back. I want the next family's struggle to be lessened with the help of LLS. I want the next family to have a successful and life-affirming result. You can help.

It's with gratitude and love that I thank you in advance. Stay tuned for updates about my training. Goooooooooooooo TEAM!

Lovingly ~ Jasmine

p.s. I have a special surprise for anyone making a very large donation! and please don't forget that ALL donations are 100% tax-deductible. You'll receive a confirmation email from LLS immediately.