TOTAL DONATIONS from Chicago Marathon: 

$5,753.80 ~ 115% of my goal!


Dear Family and Friends,

Earlier this year, I made it my personal mission to dedicate the better part of this year to a very worthy and credible cause - creating awareness and raising funds to fight blood cancers.  By now, you all know why...

On January 29, 2006, my dear friend Jennifer lost her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Jenn was 31 years old, and a loving mother, caring wife, and loyal friend. It is in her memory that I am dedicating my year of training, racing, and ultimately raising awareness to fight these horrific diseases.
 
I asked for your support during my journey.  My purpose was straight forward:  I set out to raise $5,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by running 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon on October 22, 2006.

I did have aches & pains during my training, and it was a battle to cross the finish line of the 26.2 mile marathon course.  Foot and knee injuries along the way, along with the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion of training for a marathon, made my journey challenging.  Unquestionably, it could never compare to Jenn's battle she faced every day as a leukemia patient.

I was not alone in my effort.  I joined Team in Training (TNT), the largest endurance-training program in the country.  TNT's mission is to use endurance events to raise funds for blood cancer research and patient aid.  This year, the Illinois Chapter of TNT has raised over $2.5MM to advance the Society's mission.  It's that kind of effort & dedication that helped my decision to join the TEAM.

But more than anything else, it was the determination, dedication, and pure resolve of one single individual that drove my efforts this year.  Losing Jenn to this horrific disease motivated me to learn, pushed me to endure, and made me strive to raise awareness.  With the help and support of all of you, my journey was a success.

I raised a total of $5,753.80 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I wrote sponsor's names on my shoes, my triceps, my hamstrings, my quads, and my calves.  I wrote "For Jenn" anywhere I could.  I carried my good luck charms on my singlet.  I ran the 26.2 miles for Jenn, but I also ran it WITH Jenn.  Not only was I blessed to be able to wear one of her bandanas during the race, but I know that during the tough spots, she was running along with me, like an angel guiding me to the finish line.

That journey is complete.  But my dedication to fighting blood cancers continues, this year, with the Light the Night Walk, another fundraising event for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Visit my website often!  The Chicago Marathon may be over, but my dedication to raising awareness about the fight against blood cancers has only just begun...

Thank you for your support!!

Love & Blessings,

karin