Dear Family and Friends:

Here’s a letter I never thought I’d write – and certainly one you never expected to receive from me. I am currently training to do a half marathon in October 16th, 2011. You know I’ve never done anything even remotely like this. No one’s ever accused me of being obsessed with, or even very interested in, fitness. It’s true, though – I’ll be run/walk 13.1 miles in San Francisco, California, and here’s why.

I’ve joined Team In Training, an endurance training and fundraising program that benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I have committed to raising $5,000 to support their efforts to treat and cure blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma), and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

I signed up because I want to give something back. I will dedicate my run two of my family members. In the memory of my aunt Norma Rodriguez, who survived the breast cancer by mastectomy 8-9 years before she died of Sepsis. Sepsis is a bacterial blood infection. And I will also run for my cousin daughter Shaliam Quiles-Ortiz, she is now 5 & 1/2 yrs old. She had a Neuroblastoma tumor which also caused Ataxia. The chemotherapy was horrible for her but she's also a strong survivor.

As I train, a mile at a time, it is with passionate hope that I can make a difference so other patients and their families will not have to share my experiences with loved ones. This year, an estimated 139,860 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. And every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. That’s 146 people each day or more than six people every hour. I want to do what I can to change those numbers, and those outcomes.

Please help me reach my fundraising goal by making a 100% tax-deductible donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I’m going to donate my own funds to cover my training, so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the cause. Use the enclosed form and website to show your support and encouragement for my Nike half marathon by October 16th, 2011. If you would like me to run/walk in honor or memory of someone you care about, please include their name. I’ll be proud to carry their names, along with my aunt’s and my cousin daughter, with me as I head over the finish line.

This is a big – no, a HUGE – step for me, by running up and down the hills in the city of San Francisco an obstacle that I never thought of doing. This adventure is not my usual pursuit by any means. If it contributes towards the discovery for a cure, though, or makes life easier for those with blood cancers, I’ll all for putting out the effort. I’m already making discoveries about myself as I train. I might even find that I like RUNNING!

With warmth, love and thanks,