Bethany's Trek to Shamrock

WE MADE IT!! The race went so well and I'm happy to report a PR and all goals accomplished!! My time was 1:39.44 with a 7:26/mi average pace. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful support! Thank you to Team In Training for such an incredible experience!


* Update 3/8/09: I conquered my second-to-last "long run" yesterday with a good-paced 7-miler. It's hard to believe we have only 2 weeks remaining until race date! Mickey is doing well, lymphoma-free, and greatly encouraged by recent news from the docs that the "bladder cancer" we thought he also had turns out not to be cancer at all. Wonderful news!! Thanks to so many of you who have made this TNT journey with me... and thank you for your ever-present prayers for Mickey! I promise to update once more before the BIG DAY!! Go team!!

*Update 1/23/09: How incredible to have reached Virginia "Rock Star" status by achieving $1000 above the fundraising minimum! That's thanks to you all==amazing job!! My training continues... I have a 9-miler tomorrow and have conquered 15+ miles this week, usually run on our gym's treadmill at night after the boys are in bed. I'm training to meet a sub 1:40 goal time, which means running close to 7:30min/mi pace! Whew!! Gotta get on it... :) Check back in soon to see the latest. Thank you again!!


Racing for Mickey... Racing for many


The 2009 Yuengling Half-Marathon is my event.

My grandfather, Mickey, is my reason.


Mickey was diagnosed in April of this past year with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system. After battling through two rounds of chemotherapy, heading every day to and from the hospital to receive immune-boosting drugs along with the cancer-killing chemo, Mickey's cancer is in remission!!! We've just learned the happy news! It has been a long road from diagnosis and we are thrilled with the outcome... Day by day, Mickey is winning the battle.


Yet Mickey is merely one of an estimated 138,530 people in the United States who will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma this year. Every ten minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. This statistic represents nearly 145 people each day.


How can you help?

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training has been raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma for twenty years. 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!


The LLS invests $61 million annually in support of more than 200 researchers, financial assistance to patients, scientific conferences nationwide, educational materials, and over 50 support groups across the country. Because it receives no federal funding, LLS depends on operations like Team in Training for continued support of these needed programs. Please consider making a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission!


*A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.


*A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.


Shamrock Half, Here I Come!!

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks so much for your support!

Bethany Gasperini

Last Edited on: 03/23/2009

22 comments

  •  
    "Good luck! I've always thought it would be fun to do a team in training event. I'm trying chinese medicine now and seeing an acupunturist and she told me not to run at all :( I've already cut back a lot but I'm not sure I can go cold turkey. At least winter is coming so it won't be quite so tempting."
     

    Krissy Nestor

    Tue Oct 28 02:34:59 EDT 2008

  •  
    "B'! I did Team in Training for my first marathon, if you remember. Such a great organization, and I'm cheering you on as you train. Something tells me you'll have an easier go at it.;) Hugs and love."
     

    Jaime

    Thu Nov 27 04:23:10 EST 2008

  •  
    "Way to be, Bethany! God will surely bless your efforts! "
     

    Ryan & Caitlin Dwyer

    Thu Jan 01 09:39:26 EST 2009

  •  
    "good luck bethany! i'll be rooting for you!"
     

    Sylvia

    Fri Jan 02 01:53:55 EST 2009

  •  
    "Bethany- My dad actually had hodgkin's disease in college...and he's doing well almost 45 years later. So there is definitely hope, and I think what you're doing is awesome! If you need any training tips, I spend most of my time coaching high school runners these days..."
     

    Karen O'Neil

    Fri Jan 02 02:07:30 EST 2009

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    "Bethany...I'll be rooting for you and the cause! "
     

    Kim Fighter

    Fri Jan 02 02:38:31 EST 2009

  •  
    "Bethany - way to go! Grace wishes she could run with you. Great to read about your grandpa."
     

    Jason and Grace

    Sat Jan 03 11:03:43 EST 2009

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    "Bethany, I'm so happy to hear you're doing this and that your Grandfather is doing well. My cousin works for an organization that helps people raise money for half-marathons and I believe it is such a noble goal. My mother passed away from lung cancer a year ago and I cannot think of a better cause to support. Her name is Eleanor Fillion, if you would like to put her name on your shirt. I wish you and your family well in all that you do-- thanks for using your legs to push towards a cure."
     

    Courtney Fillion

    Sun Jan 04 10:59:55 EST 2009

  •  
    "Keep it up Bethany! Your efforts are a blessing to this worthy cause. Prayers for you and your grandfather."
     

    The St. Louis Bradleys

    Sun Jan 04 11:55:54 EST 2009

  •  
    "Good luck, Bethany! We'll be cheering you on!"
     

    Matt and Elizabeth Morrison

    Sun Jan 04 05:16:12 EST 2009

  •  
    "You go, Bethany! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to support this important cause. My mother has been cancer-free for over five years now, thanks to the medical advances made before she needed them. "
     

    Josh and Lindsay (Grinols) Simmons

    Sun Jan 04 07:30:45 EST 2009

  •  
    "Bethany, what a wonderful thing you're doing. Here is an excerpt of something I wrote on my fundraising page for the Relay for Life; I think it's appropriate. Love, Uncle Mike "The Reason I Walk: People have many reasons for walking in the Relay for Life. I walk for four reasons: I walk because my wonderful wife, Marsha is a double cancer survivor. She wouldn't agree but she's the strongest and bravest person I know. I walk because my Mother is a breast cancer survivor. At age 86 she's still going strong. I walk because my Father was just diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and just had his first chemo treatment at age 87. And I walk because there, but for the grace of God, go I (or anyone reading this)." Please make a donation to help Bethany reach her goal. You are helping deliver the hope that future generations will not have to endure cancer threatening the lives of their friends and family. You have the power to fight back against this disease that affects millions."
     

    Mike & Marsha Mercxier

    Sun Jan 04 10:04:46 EST 2009

  •  
    "Best wishes -- what a great cause!!"
     

    Mary Pagnotto

    Mon Jan 05 03:13:27 EST 2009

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    "Hey babe, I saw your goal number and couldn't resist being the one to put you over the top. =) GOOD LUCK Bethany!! One day you'll have to tell me the secret of your running endurance. Love, Dina (and Philip)"
     

    Dina N. Viergutz

    Mon Jan 05 04:50:02 EST 2009

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    "I'm so proud of you and your efforts....and I can't believe you are turning 30, by the way! Love you!"
     

    Jessica Hunt

    Mon Jan 05 09:54:18 EST 2009

  •  
    "Good luck, Bethany! I've enjoyed following your blog from afar. Your little boys are so adorable! Say hello to your folks. And happy (early) b-day. :)"
     

    Laura Kaminski

    Mon Jan 05 10:52:56 EST 2009

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    "Bethany, Good luck with the training and the race! The Johnstones"
     

    Carrie Johnstone

    Tue Jan 06 07:48:20 EST 2009

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    "Way to go B!! What a way to honor Mickey and all of those who suffer from leukemia."
     

    The Fayes

    Tue Jan 06 09:14:20 EST 2009

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    "B, We are so happy to hear your Grandfather is doing better! What a great photo of the two of you. Hugs, The Mauls"
     

    Betty Maul

    Fri Jan 09 10:45:53 EST 2009

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    "Good luck, Bethany! Have a great race. What a good cause!"
     

    Kevin Gormley

    Fri Jan 09 11:26:32 EST 2009

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    "Bethany! Best of luck during your race! I'm mentoring the TNT cycle team this season -- our event is in May!!"
     

    Suzette Escobar

    Thu Feb 05 02:41:35 EST 2009

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    "Bethany great job!! Sounds like the run went well and you did a wonderful thing in honor of Mickey!"
     

    Pam Witmer

    Sun Mar 29 09:03:18 EDT 2009

My Fundraising Total

Raised: $3,141.84 | Goal: $2,900.00
 
108 %

Make a Donation


We are sorry donations are no longer being accepted for this participant for this event.

In Honor of

Mickey Mercier, my grandfather!

My Thanks To

Pam Witmer  
Thomas Pohl  
Alexandra P Leader  
Paula Kupstas  
Alicia Hays  
Jonathan Luick  
Suzette Escobar  
Katrina Tufaro  
Steven Morris  
Carrie Kingston  
John Salomone  
Kellie Miller  
Jason Bernd  
Sanjiv Bajaj  
Setina Carol  
Mandy Miller  
Kevin Gormley  
Betty Maul  
Gerard Gasperini  
Tracy & Adam  
Molly Snow  
Lana Thornburg  
Jeff Meister  
Randall Bee  
Deborah Cull  
The Fayes  
Carrie Johnstone  
Laura Kaminski  
Jessica Hunt  
Gregory Brown  
Dina N. Viergutz  
Jess R.  
Mary Pagnotto  
Garrett Coker  
Mike & Marsha Mercxier  
Josh and Lindsay (Grinols...  
Matt and Elizabeth Morris...  
Brad and Katie Monhaut  
Blair Mestl Ritchie  
Rhonda and John Serafin  
The St. Louis Bradleys  
Courtney Fillion  
Connor Browne  
Jason and Grace  
Jessica & Max Anderson  
Kim Fighter  
Karen O'Neil  
Sylvia  
jenica cory  
Katherine Kapinos  
Graeme Rein  
Deepa Bhandaru  
Ryan & Caitlin Dwyer  
mark & susie livesay  
Margaret Knemeyer  
Mom and Dad Witmer  
Jaime  
Julie Furstenau  
Cris Gasperini  
Krissy Nestor  
Mimi and Papa  
Bonnie Albaugh