On January 3rd, my cousin's grand-daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. The same day that I heard the news, I got a brochure in the mail about running a marathon for the Leukemia Society. I tossed it in the trash, as I have never run in my life. I look at those people who do run like they are crazy.
A couple nights later I'm at dinner with some friends. We get to talking and find out about 4 of us got that brochure. We decided to go to the informational meeting. Two of us showed up!
As I was sitting through the meeting, I was thinking about another cousin, who had leukemia about 20 years ago. Man this make me feel old! I was 16 and he was 3. I spent alot of time in the hospital entertaining him. Man, he was such a trooper! It's amazing the courage kids can have, alot times more than adults!
Anyways, after about 3 years of being in and out of the hospital, he was ok. He's a great young man now. I was also remembering what his family was going through, his parents didn't handle it as well as he did, neither did his older brother (who was neglecting during the whole process). His parents divorced and his brother has been in and out of jail.
It's not just the patient who needs help, it's also the family.
My senior year English teacher passed away this month from Leukemia, and a nurse from my small hometown died yesterday from another form of cancer.
Back to the meeting...as I was reading the application someone asked if anyone was from the East side of town. I raised my hand without looking up. It was a reporter! She rushed over, took my picture and started asking me questions. My picture is going to be in the newspaper. I was committed. I couldn't back out at this point.
Everything just kind of played out in a way that I felt I needed to do this.
So, on June 5th, I will be in San Diego running 13.1 miles. Wow!
I have to raise $2,900.
Honestly, I'm more scared of running than I am of raising the money!
I'll keep you posted on my training.
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