Hi, and thank you for visiting my marathon fundraising page!

On April 20th, 2015 I will be running in the 119th Boston Marathon with Team In Training as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My goal, besides successfully running 26.2 miles, is to raise money for Lymphoma research and LLS's mission to cure cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and families.

This is obviously a gigantic undertaking! Despite having completed 3 marathons, I am by no means a runner, and this race brings a whole new set of challenges. As difficult as this will be for me, it doesn't even compare to the rounds of radiation and chemotherapy that my brave and extraordinary mother, and thousands of others endure daily to beat this horrible disease.

My mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2003. It was a frightening and life changing experience for our entire family, and something I will never forget. It felt so unnatural and surreal to have a sick parent, and the feeling of helplessness is one of the worst. She was given only a 40% chance to survive. I cuddled with her in her hospital bed post-surgery, and sat with her through the end of her chemo treatments, holding her hand and trying to distract her from the pain as they poked her arm with needles. She was cancer free for two years before her doctors found evidence of more Lymphoma. Thankfully she responded well to radiation, and this spring it will be a privilege to run the Boston Marathon to celebrate her 10th year in remission! 

Running a marathon is no joke, I know this from experience. Yet a marathon seems easy compared to her struggle, and the struggle of countless others. My mom has taught me to embrace life - I am running to celebrate hope. Her amazing determination will inspire me every step of the way, from Hopkinton to Wellesley, up Heartbreak Hill, and as I cross the finish line in Back Bay. I know that this will be the most challenging marathon yet. If I am able to run with even a fraction of the strength she has day to day, I am confident I can finish this race.

My goal is to raise at least $5000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a remarkable group who has been such an instrumental part of our lives throughout this process. The money is essential for improving the lives of cancer patients and developing new treatment methods and medications. During chemo, my mom was the recipient of a breakthrough drug regimen involving Rituxan, which was the first significant improvement in the survival rate of patients with large B-cell Lymphoma in over 25 years. These types of advances are made possible through your contributions. While substantial progress has been made in the last decade, there is still so much more to be done to get us closer to a world without blood cancers. Your generosity means so much to me. Please make a donation to support LLS. Even $1 helps to make a difference in the fight to cure cancer!

With much appreciation and love,
Allison