Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

The updated picture is of us with our Honored Teamate Noah.

I would like to start off by again thanking those of you that have donated. I have raised an impressive $1694.00 dollars so far! That is outstanding! This is a great start, but I am still over $1800.00 away from my minimum goal. My wife and I are in the process of putting together several fun charity events. On July 10th, one of my co-workers has donated an office party at Americas Backyard in downtown Fort Lauderdale. We raised nearly $800.00 on June 11th, during that event. A special thanks to those who attended. If you missed the last one, don't worry, show up to this one for a good time, great food and cold drinks. Your entire cover charge goes directly to my fundraising goal. Please resend this to everyone you know. Every donation no matter how big or small makes a huge difference.

The way this works is on July 2nd, I have to have $800.00 raised in order to meet my "recommitment". At that time, if I feel that I can still rasie the entire $3500 by August 10th, then I continue the training and continue to raise money. The catch is if I do not raise the entire amount, then I will be responsible for the remaining funds not raised. With that being said, I ask that everyone consider donating at least $25.00. It is a great cause.

Our formal training begn on Saturday May 17th at 6:45am in Fort Lauderdale. Each Saturday or Sunday, we train as a group. It started off with a 30 minute workout and this weekend, we will run 8 miles. Our training will peak with a 10 mile run in a few weeks. We never will reach the full 13.1 miles until race day. I guarantee that if you help raise the funds, I will cross the finish line!

If you are reading this for the first time, below is an explaination of what I am talking about:

I am training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

As you may or may not know, we just had a new baby this year! His name is Anthony Michael Winans and we are very excited and planning to celebrate his birth and good health by running a 13.1 marathon in Virginia Beach, VA on August 31, 2008. I will be participating with other members of the Team in Training of the Southern Florida Chapter. My wife and I are generously giving our time and talent to make this campaign a huge success.

You may ask why Team in Training?

I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure! Plus while I raise funds to support research for leukemia, lymphoma and other types of cancer and blood-related illnesses I gain physical fitness, motivation and good health but with an ultimate rewarding and worthwhile goal.

I am running a 13.1 marathon to help fund a cure. Running the marathon is only my physical commitment to this cause. My personal goal and commitment is to raise $3,500 to help others find a cure and support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society mission. With the funds raised, LLS will continue to support research, patient services, public and professional education, advocacy and community services.

I am asking you to support my effort with your generous gift. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible. A full 75% of every donation goes directly to the cause. Every gift no matter the amount will help make my goal. Look at it this way, if a 140 people donate only $25.00 to this charity, I will make my minimum goal. Therefore, please use the link in this letter to donate online quickly and securely plus you can learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

I will keep you updated through my personal web page and emails on our goal progress and our physical efforts to complete this marathon.

Thank you for supporting our team. Your support will carry us the whole 13.1 miles. I believe that you are the kind of people who will respond positively to this request. I appreciate the attention, contribution and kindness you have given me.

I hope you will visit my web site often and that you share this with your friends and family. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress.

Thanks for your support!

Mike Winans