Together We Can and Will End Childhood Leumemia!

Ana Velez is a determined and strong mother-- "Wonder Woman" to her warrior daughter Valentina. She has individually raised thousands for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in her relentless pursuit to fight childhood leukemia in honor of her amazing daughter.

In only 9 days, Ana, Matt and I will be taking on 26.2 miles in this years New York City Marathon!

We each have a story, the experience that ties us to this mission. Please read the story of these two superheros in their own words.

Many of you know my story, but for those who don’t, here’s why I’m running 26.2 miles this November 3, 2019. My daughter calls me "Wonder Woman," she says that I have more powers than the super heroes. But the reality is that she is the Hero in this story.

VALENTINA was born on July 26, 2008. On December 17, 2009, at the age of one and a half, we received the crushing news that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the most common form of blood cancer in children. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Valentina received chemotherapy for years with glaring side effects, including intense nausea, lethargy, and infections due to her suppressed immunity. Chemotherapy not only affected Valentina’s body, but it also impacted her social happiness and growth. I won't go through all the details, but the chemotherapy was extremely tough on her, (Me) She went days without eating, she lost all her hair (she was the most beautiful little girl tho) she lost a lot of weight and overtime was very weak. However, with all of this going on, On February 22nd Valentina celebrated 7 years being cancer free!! Today, Valentina is a happy eleven year-old girl who won the battle against cancer. She goes to school, loves parks and enjoys playing with children. She is continuing her life as expected - living life to the fullest and celebrating every day.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified of running 26.2 miles across all 5 boroughs. I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t extremely excited to accomplish such an amazing life achievement of mine, and the most important of all that I dedicate this race to my beautiful brave daughter Valentina.

NYC Marathon has always been a dream and I am ready for this challenge. Thank you all in advance for the support.

--Ana

“Your child has cancer.”

These are the words that ring through deafening silence as your life falls off its axis.

Smiles for Miles began April 2018 in the wake of losing our daughter Edie to a rare form of leukemia. The goal was to bring hopeful light to the darkness created by the tragedy of her loss. In the past year our friends, family, strangers and coalition of Smiles for Miles teammates have raised over $330K and counting in the hopes of changing the outcome children and their families must face if they fall on the wrong side of the statistic. Our personal motivation begins with our incredible daughter Edie but this is bigger than any one child. We are relentless, driven to see a world where better treatments, outcomes and a cure will prevent another family from experiencing the heartbreak we feel. 

LLS has chosen to embark on a mission of hope with it's childrens initiative, with the goal of shifting the paradigm of pediatric cancer research, care and outcomes. Leveraging the strength and reach of this organization, we are committed to playing a role in making this change happen.

We pray your world has never been impacted by childhood cancer but if it has, or you feel connected to this mission, please consider joining us! Register here and join Smiles for Miles. This year Matt and Amanda will be running side by side, taking on the challenge of a marathon together despite Matt's sub-elite status and Amanda's beginner level. The disparity of their fitness levels proving that this is more than a race, the race is symbolic of what we can achieve together. If a marathon is not in your future please consider donating to this worthy cause and give hope to the thousands of families impacted by childhood cancer. There is power in numbers and together the change we need is possible. A cure is ienvitable, but it has to be funded.

Until There's A Cure!