Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

My name is Melissa Rigas and I am excited to share with you a huge personal endeavor I've just begun. I am training to run my first marathon in Houston, Texas on January 17th, 2010.

More importantly, I am running for my uncle, Ray Huseman and his family. Ray lives in Amarillo, Texas and supported his family of 6 for many years as a welder. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 and is currently recieving treatment in the hospital. His wife Kim stays by his side and reports that "In spite of it all, he never ceases to amaze me with his great attitude and strong faith. The nurses/staff all love him because he never gets upset and is always encouraging them by telling them all what a great job they're doing-even the janitors!"

Ray is a wonderful man who inspires me to never give up and to cherish every moment I have with my husband and daughter.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training gives me a way to contribute to to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. In fact, the society actually contributes 75% of every dollar raised to help finding a cure and financing assistance programs for families affected by a blood cancer.

Whether you have had the pleasure of meeting Ray and his lovely family or you just want to help encourage me to run 26.2 miles, I urge you to think big and give as generously as you can - your donation is 100% tax deductible.

I hope you will visit my web site often.

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your

support!