Dear Friends and Family,

You are nothing short of miracles in my life, THANK YOU! I am figuring out a way to literally carry each of you with me during race day, names on ribbons, henna tattoos, written on my jersey... somehow, you'll all be with me; and so will my Mom!

Love~Steph

Hi everyone! Just a quick note to say THANK YOU for all of your incredible support! Race day is a short 26 days away and race numbers were posted today.... eeeeeeekkkkkkkk! I say, BRING IT! I'm feeling strong and confident in all three sports and am 83% to my fund raising goal. Without y'all, I would not be able to say that, so again, THANK YOU and Hele Hui (Go Team) !!!

Smiles,

steph

My Mom with my son Noah - 2007

...and for my anchor.

This year, this Lavaman holds special meaning for me. I have struggled with writing this letter; procrastinated actually because writing about something makes it real and true for me. As I sit here and type this, the words simply do not want to show themselves on the page. But, here goes.

This year is my fourth time participating in Lavaman, and each year I have raced in honor of my Mother. But this time, this year feels like my first race. My first year, and very few people know this, I didn't finish the swim. My second year I did finish the swim but didn't push myself in the bike or the run. My third year I was injured and couldn't swim at all but did relay and achieve a personal best in the bike and the run. This year I will achieve a personal best in all three because this year it's different.

This year it's personal and I've a score to settle because this year, lymphoma stole my Mother. After 5 years of fighting Marginal Zone lymphoma, the treatments and disease took their toll and they won. Call me a poor loser but I'd like to kick some cancer ass this year!

This year I train and struggle and fight to rediscover an anchor to this Earth. I am healthy and able and willing to do what I feel is my part to eradicate blood cancers. Not everyone has the luxury of physical abiltiy. I promise to earn a personal best on April 3, 2011! I will swim 1 mile, bike 25 miles and run 6 miles, and I will do it as hard as I can! My fundraising goal is $4,150 and I will be donating 25% of that myself. That means 100% of your donation goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society!

If you would like to help, please join me in generously giving to this cause; dig deep in whatever way is meaningful to you. I humbly ask you to do it for me and for everyone in this world who has lost their anchor.

With sincere, heartfelt thanks,

Stephanie

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