Launch

I've mentioned here that I've decided to run a half marathon. This decision was made because it's something I've always wanted to do. I like to run. However, I will rarely run just for exercise, or just for the enjoyment of it (it's not always that enjoyable but makes me feel so good). I will run if I have a training schedule to follow. I'm a rule follower, and I'm very good at following through with things once I've started. My training is nearing the end of the third week and I have met or exceeded all of the daily miles. I have the schedule taped to my fridge and I love to cross off the miles. Five miles, check.

On a run a couple of days ago I started thinking about my friend Danelle, and how she was able to raise over $1700 in a pretty short amount of time. I am so proud of her for accomplishing her fund raising, (and a big thank you to those of you that helped her out) and completing her own half marathon. Nearly everyday I think, someday, when we have the money, we'll donate to the hospital, someday we'll sponsor a child at the Celebration of Champions, someday we will donate money to CureSearch. I get stuck in the constant someday loop and, until now, I have failed to realize that there are things that I can do right now.

I have also been thinking recently of a friend that lost her baby, Ella, at 23 weeks of pregnancy. I can't imagine that pain. In dealing with her grief, and in keeping the memory of her daughter alive, Bree has started so many amazing projects to help other mothers who have also lost babies. She knits hats and sends birthday cards to mothers on the birthday of their baby so that they will not be forgotten. She creates art with the names of lost babies so that their parents know they aren't the only ones that are thinking of them.

They don't know it yet, but my two friends mentioned above really inspired me. People run races all the time for charities, why can't I? People do simple things that don't cost a lot of money in order to honor and remember those that have touched them. Why can't I?

Today I am launching my fundraising page. I am running the half marathon for personal reasons, but also to raise funds for CureSearch, which works with the Children's Oncology Group to find cures for childhood cancer. I set the goal at $2,000, but really I would be happy with any amount. Every little bit helps. I'm a little nervous about this because I simply hate asking people for money, but this will only work with your support. Please, please, pass this on to your contacts. Add it to your blogs, and tell your neighbors. I don't have that many readers, but I know that we can increase awareness and funding by word of mouth through online communities. If you aren't comfortable donating online, I will let you know of offline donation opportunities as well.

This is the part that I really need your help on. (And you thought I just wanted your money, ha!) Anyone that donates any amount that is the parent, grandparent, friend, aunt, uncle or in some other way connected to a child (even if you were once that child) that has, or had, cancer should email me the name of the child and I will embroider it on the shirt that I wear on race day. The children are the fighters and angels in this war, and their names will be carried over the finish line. I have a vision of a shirt filled with names, but again, I'm very nervous that there will only be a couple. I need your help in passing this on and connecting with other cancer families.

Thank you so much for your support over the last year, and thank you for helping me raise funds for cancer research. Now go click on the link and donate!