Dear family and friends,

Well, I’m doing it again—I’m running another event for Team in Training, which raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For those of you who don’t know the story, in January of 2008, my roommate all four years of college, Dawn Nelson, succumbed to a battle with leukemia. She was living in Charleston, S.C. at the time, and I hadn’t spoken with her in several months due to the distance and the fact we were working in separate states. The same day that I was alerted to her blog which chronicled her illness, she passed away at age 28. I never got a chance to tell her how much I appreciated her friendship during those important college years.

Instead of despairing due to the fact I never reached out to Dawn during her battle with leukemia, I tried to think of something I could do to honor her memory. And so I joined Team In Training (TNT), which raises funds for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma research, and patient services in exchange for training and supporting people like me, who happen to love running! I successfully raised more than $3,000 in 2008 for TNT and ran the Kentucky Derby half marathon that year in Louisville, Ky. This year I made an even bigger goal—to run my first full marathon (26.2 miles!!) with TNT in Walt Disney World January 8.

After the 2008 KY Derby 1/2 marathon

TNT is the world’s largest endurance sports training program and since its founding it has raised more than $660 million. The five-year survival rate for NHL patients rose from 48% in 1975 to 63% in 2002, and today 80% of children with leukemia will live thanks to research funded by people involved with projects like TNT.

This year, I will be running again for Dawn, and also for the people that many of you may know that have suffered from these terrible blood diseases and other forms of cancer.

It’s time for me to give back once again to the program that has played such a huge role in the survival of thousands—including my brave cousin, Noelle--that have overcome blood cancers. Your generous 100% tax-deductible contribution to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will make you part of the team, MY TEAM, and I’ll do all the work!

I promise to keep you updated on all my blisters and whining if you promise to help me get to Disney World! My goal is $2,850 by December 20th. Please be assured that at least 75 cents of every dollar spent will go toward blood cancer research and patient assistance. I know you have many options when it comes to charitable contributions and I hope you know how much this means to me and families all over the U.S. that are forever changed in the blink of an eye.

All the best,

Esther

P.S. I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks again for your support!