Training Star Date 11310.04 - Another picture added to my list of 'in memory of' - 5-year old Jimi lost his battle. The treatments didn't work, the cure was not within reach, we lost him.

This should never happen, we must not let it.

My training has been rough. Several good rides and swims in preparation for the Lake Havasue 1/2 IronMan in early November, but I have this pesky full marathon in San Francisco less than 2 weeks away. I have been fighting an injury for a few months now and it won't go away. Inflamed Adductor that is unbelievably painful right at the start of a run, but warms up and works OK, but then tries to kill me after the run is over. I just need to warm it up fast when I get to San Fran and not worry how much it hurts afterward. It ain't Chemo so I'm good.

Training Star Date 11309.12 - I spoke a couple weeks ago about my friend’s 5-year old with ALL and how he is doing pretty well. There was another 5-year old admitted about the same time as him, a girl named ‘Spring’. She was diagnosed with exactly the same thing. However, because her diagnosis was made much later than ‘Bob’s, she is having a tougher time.

She has had multiple overnight stays at the hospital (Bob had only one). Her chemo makes her sick for a couple days after receiving it (Bob hasn’t been sick but a couple times), and, worst of all, the chemo and other treatments are not working very well; she is getting sicker.

I use to liken cancers to the Borg in Star Trek – you use a weapon against them and they adapt to it and that weapon no longer has any effect on them. Cancers are also like multiple Collectives of the Borg…not all weapons work on all types all the time. Sometimes the treatments we have do no good.

This is why we should be continuing our pursuit of better treatments and finding a cure. Promising research needs to be kept in funding so it can make a difference. Cold hard cash needs to be available to families when the normal treatments don’t do the job and they need to try other things which insurances may not help with.

Your fundraising dollars are bringing hope to 1000s of families across the country, and lives are being saved because you chose to step up and make a difference.

Training Star Date 11307.31 - a new mission: My friend has a 5-year old son, who was diagnosed with ALL - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It isn't right that a 5-year old should have to have spinal taps for fluid 2 and 3 times a week and subjected to chemo and other treatments. He shouldn't have to avoid kids his age because to treatment trashes his immune system and the risk of infection is very high. He shouldn't have to wear a mask to help keep germs out of his system. It just isn't right.

The good news behind this, is that because of LLS funded research, the survival rate for ALL leukemia is above 90%. This means he has a 90% chance of surviving for another 5 years. That further means, that he has a good chance of reaching age 10 - this sucks. In Aiden's case, he will likely live a very normal life for many more years, but it isn't right that the best medicine can promise is another 5 years before more treatment may be needed. The trouble with all cancers is that it adapts to treatments and can become immune to them - something like the Borge.

With your help, treatment in another 5 years could provide a cure, not another suppressing drug, but an actual cure.

Please find it in your heart to make a donation here. $20 from everyone reading this would go a long we to perfecting those cures.

One More Time! We are getting so close to a cure you can almost taste it. I run in memory of My Uncle Garry, in Honor of my Friend Steve and in the Hope that the future generations do not have to ever deal with a cancer.

Running:

Memory of 5- year old Jimi

Honor of 5-year old Autumn

Honor of My friends 5-year old Son

Memory of My Uncle Garry

Memory of My Aunt Pat

Honor of My Friend Steve

MHSers

Honor of Carol

Honor of Pat Wilson

Memory of Rhonda

Memory of Pat

Honor of Jody

Honor of Arnold Lemker

Memory of Elaine's Dad Jessie

Memory of Sandy's Sister Sylvia Um

Memory of Sandy's Friend Rebecca Soms

Memory of Amanda's 'Mommom' - Peggy Ettinger

Training Star Date 11307.07 - The Nike Women's Marathon is a couple-three months off yet and thanks to you all, I am over a third of the way to my fundraising goal. As we hear about research getting ever so much closer to cures, it is important we keep the research dollars and the patient serivices funded. You continued support has, and will always be appreciated.

HOWEVER - only last week in the light of Dr June's ground breaking research in using HIV to cure CLL, I hear from a very good friend that her 5 year old is diagnosed with ALL. Every time I think we have a handle I get bounced back to the reality that we still have a lot of work to do...and we desperately need everyone'e help...so I run on and continue to pester you for donations. Thanks!

Training Star Date 11306.25 - I have always found it difficult to say 'donate because I'm running a marathon or IronMan'. I'm not so much running for your donations as I am running to brinig to the front of your minds, the fact that we really are getting close to a cure for a cancer. So many different research efforts are coming so close.

The latest is Dr June's research usinig an engineered version of the HIV to kill cancer cells. In clinical trials it has had a 75% success rate in kill cancer...not treating or extending remission...the cancer cells are gone and the patient is dubbed cancer free. It is a great breakthrew. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society committed $5 million to his research, on top of the $16 million we have already provided. Your dollars are getting us close to a cancer free world... Thank You!

Training Star Date 6152013.5:30 - Up at 4:15 today for a 5:30 90 minute run...I truly hate running in the morning. This time of the morning is for coffee and a book. But, the Team is running and I am part of the Team here to beat cancer to the ground.

So, 90 minutes 8.26 miles...ran a bit slower at the end to come in with friends. Otherwise a good run for me.

Training Update June 9 2013: Deuces Wild 1/2 Iron Man Tri ate me alive. Apparently the altitutde got to me at mile 8 and I had to bag the event. Just couldn't continue.

Training for the Nike Marathon is just getting started. Running easy and feeling good.

60 minute run today at a 10mpm pace. Goal is to do the marathon in sub-4:15. Lots of inspiration to do this...and I shall