Young Girl With Only Weeks To Live Marries Friend

My husband told me that he was almost in tears when he read this...I on the other hand was in tears and woke up this morning still thinking about it. Life is so precious and so short. Go home, hug, kiss and love your significant other and children. We are lucky!

Lots of love to you all!!
Heidi

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Feb 23, 2009 4:36 pm US/Central

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―

A young couple is starting their lives together after an extravagant wedding.

The nine-year-old bride and seven-year-old groom, both cancer patients, were married Sunday. Jayla Cooper and Jose Griggs vowed to be friends forever.

"I love him, and it was just really important to me," said Jayla. "I had fun dancing with my dad and with him and my granny."

Home video shows Jerrod Cooper walking his daughter down the aisle. These are the moments he cherishes after being told she only has a few weeks to live.

"It's really hard," he said. "It's something you never wanna go through or imagine."

Jayla and Jose were both diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. They spent most of their days together at Children's Medical Hospital in Dallas, but Jose is actually recovering. He wants the same for Jayla.

"He knows where she's going, but he doesn't want her to go," said Charla Griggs, Jose's mother. "He's seven years old and he's having a hard time dealing with this."

Because of the time she has left, the family tries to enjoy every moment with Jayla, who is teaching others to live life to the fullest.

"She's only nine. All I can do is give her what she wants. I give and give, because I don't know what else to do," said Lisa Cooper, Jayla's mother.

The parents took Jose and Jayla to Great Wolf Lodge for their honeymoon.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Partner to Fund $500,000 in Cancer Stem Cell Research Grants

Such a great article about what your donations do!! Please read and consider donating to a good cause. My goal is to raise $4,000 by May 18th. I can do it with you!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/stx/rnr09/hgerhardt

Much Love,
Heidi
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Friday February 13, 2009, 2:04 pm EST from Yahoo Financial

NORWALK, Conn., & WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) have partnered to award William Matsui, MD, Johns Hopkins University, and Irving Weissman, MD, Stanford University, research grants totaling $500,000 to study the multiple myeloma cancer stem cell. Each individual grant is valued at $250,000.

These grants, developed in response to input from leading cancer stem cell experts who participated in the 2008 MMRF Myeloma Cancer Stem Cell Research Roundtable, provide an unprecedented opportunity to apply existing knowledge of cancer stem cells to multiple myeloma. Ultimately, the identification and characterization of the multiple myeloma cancer stem cell will advance our understanding of drug resistance and relapse in patients with multiple myeloma and potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies that effectively treat the disease.

“The emerging field of cancer stem cell research holds enormous promise for patients—particularly those with an orphan disease, such as multiple myeloma, for which effective treatments remain limited,” said Louise Perkins, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of the MMRF. “The MMRF is pleased to partner with LLS to advance this important research effort and lay the groundwork for the development of better, more effective treatments.”

Many researchers believe that cancer stem cells, although few in number, are responsible for cancer’s development, metastases, and recurrence.

“By putting our resources together, LLS and MMRF have identified some of the most promising researchers in the field of stem cell biology as it relates to myeloma,” said John Walter, President and Chief Executive Officer of LLS. “Ultimately, the identification and characterization of cancer stem cells in myeloma may enable the development of more effective therapies.”

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cell. The five-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is approximately 35%, one of the lowest of all cancers. In 2008, an estimated 19,920 adults (11,190 men and 8,730 women) in the United States were diagnosed with multiple myeloma and an estimated 10,690 people died from the disease.

About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world's number-one funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised over $110 million since its inception to fund more than 100 laboratories worldwide. The payback on its investment has been significant, including the approval of four new treatments in four years alone. Today, the MMRF is supporting 40 new compounds and approaches now in clinical trials and pre-clinical studies and has facilitated 17 clinical trials through its sister organization, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC). For more information about the MMRF, please visit www.themmrf.org.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The LLS mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $600 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, LLS made 6.3 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

When my granny was 97...

Saturday morning at 6:15am my alarm went off. I was tired, but eventually got up. It was surprisingly cold outside, but I made it to the group run. We were running 4 miles that morning and it sure felt good. It was another timed run just to see where were were at. I'm running about 11 minute miles, so that means I'll be about 44 minutes.



We took off and chatting about our week and how we felt. I was still so sore from the plyometric work out but it felt good to stretch them muscles. Also being so windy and cold it was good to get the body warmed up. My long pants and long shirt quickly became a heater. I ran with Caro and Susan for quite a while. Caro sang Army cadence to us as we got about a mile in. It goes a little something like this:

"When my granny turned 91, she was doing PT just for fun"
"When my granny turned 92, she was doing PT better then you"
"When my granny turned 93, she was doing PT better then me"
"When my granny turned 95, she could outrun any man alive"
"When my granny turned 96, she did sit ups just for kicks"
"When my granny turned 97, she double-timed it straight up to heaven"
"She saw St. Peter at the pearly gate, she said "Gee, St. Peter I hope I'm not late."
"St. Peter said with a big wide grin, "Drop down Granny and knock out ten."

I like it, it gets your groove going and breathing down. I have so much fun running with those girls. It is cool to see the different backgrounds we come from and how we can connect to make a difference in the world.

So I ran my 4 miles in 44:44 so pretty much on target. I do have to say how much I really enjoy the early morning runs. I'm not a fan of getting up, but I do it for a cause and I'm always happier when I'm done, like I accomplished something.

Monday is hill training. So excited to keep it going.

Check out my site if you'd like to donate:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/stx/rnr09/hgerhardt

Much Love,
Heidi

Plyometric are NOT for the weak of heart

So yesterday (the day after our hill work out) I was sneezing so crazy. It was a miserable night. I ended up working half of the day in the office and left around lunch to work from home. I was dying on sneezing and blowing my nose. A co-worker told me to take Zyrtec. Per usual, I'll take any medication and fall asleep. Well this one didn't make me drowsy and I am so grateful. Thank you Nan! You will make this season much better. I did end up going running that night with the group because I only had a headache and the running/workout rule is "If it's in your head, go ahead. But if it's in your chest, you've gotta rest." I also really wanted to test this medication and make sure it was going to work for me. It did.

So today we did Plyometrics. I haven't done any of these exercises in a while. We started of with a 1/2 mile run (Thanks for the great pace today Caro) and then started this crazy routine. Our coach said that at the end of our training we'd be begging for lunges. Yeah right! I just can't believe that in four months I'll be begging for more. We did about a 1/2 mile worth of lunges. My quads were on fire!! As I twittered earlier (www.twitter.com/heidi_gerhardt) I can't wait to see how my butt feels like tomorrow and Friday. Then we did other crazy exercises like the Mamba Mojo (don't ask), toenails, heals, backwards run, butt kicks (hey look, I'm kicking my own a$$), high knees, Bruce Bowens (Spurs player for those who don't follow basketball or live in Texas), hopscotch, skipping and even running around an invisible rock. They should have video taped it. It was funny. My parents didn't name me Grace for a reason. The awesome thing is that we all made it. It is so much better running and working out with a group. I sure keeps me motivated.

I won't be able to make tomorrows pace practice, so that means I am on my own in the morning.

On the fundraising side of things, I haven't sent out my "please donate" letters yet, but plan to have them done this weekend. Please feel free to check out my website and YOU could be the first one. Remember, all donations are 100% deductible and .75c of every dollar will go directly to helping someone with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Hodgkin's.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/stx/rnr09/hgerhardt

This is such an important cause and helps families out financially, emotionally, medically and spiritually.

Much love to all,

Heidi

Hill Training

So today was hill training and it was brutal. Very hard. We had to sprint up the hill and slowly jog down it, sprint up the hill and slowly jog down it...on and on for about 45 minutes. I kept thinking about about Sarah and how she struggles with her Chemo so I made my lazy ass run up those hills. I am healthy, I need to be grateful...so I ran up them.

After we stretched out and I had the sneezes like crazy. Needless to say the rest of my night has been miserable. Not a big fan of the allergies out here.

First Team Run

So today we had our first official team run. I was a bit late as I went to the wrong side of the zoo. When I got there, there must have been 65 people talking and walking around. It was very windy outside and drizzling just a bit (but that's a nice change to the normal hot and humid SA weather we receive 10 to 11 months out of the year). I was happy to see some people I recognized from the weekday runs. We chatted for awhile and then went through a lot of announcements and a bunch of admin stuff.

Today's run was a 3 mile timed run so that we could be put into our pace groups for all future Saturday runs. So off we went. It is fun to see how people take off and the feeling of doing this as a team and for someone we care about. I know that some of the girls felt a little intimidated because they don't run as fast as most of the other girls. I told them that it doesn't matter. I am not a fast runner by any means, just a very steady runner. I'd say most people could beat me 100% of the time in speed, but I know I could beat them 100% of the time in distance...and sure enough we were half way through our 3 mile run and the bean pole college girls were huffing and puffing and walking. These girls are fast and once they get some endurance under their belts, they'll be good, but it was nice to see some of the other "slower" girls gain some confidence.

I love that running is an equal opportunity sport. Anybody, tall, short, thin, fat, boy, girl, man, women, young and old can run. You can almost bet that when you run, you will NOT be last place. There will always be someone behind you. Running is what is running for you, not for Steve Prefontaine and not for the bean pole college girls. That being said, I did struggle a little bit at the end. I don't think that it was the run in particular, but it was my head. I started to say to myself, what the heck have I got myself into? Can I really run another marathon? The last one was hard enough. But through the early morning sounds of the grackles and the leaves blowing about, I came to a decision: I don't have cancer, I don't have rounds and rounds of Chemo, I don't have the burden of medical bills, so damn it, I'm not going to be lazy and negative. I'm going to run this race!

My final time was 32:50...so about 11 minute miles at an easy pace. I'd like to shave off a minute, so I'll be working on that this season.

Running with the Team

So today was another practice. I always like to see who shows up. Being an avid runner, it's nice to be able to assure the inexperienced runners that they can do it...it just takes time, practice and patience. I remember the first time that I went running. It must have only been maybe 2 miles. It was intimidating, but I was determined. Then six months later I was running my first marathon. That being said, when I started I had a pretty sedentary life style, was about 30lbs overweight and pretty miserable with myself. Running gave me life. It gave me hope and time to think and not to mention a new waist. I have been pretty addicted to it since.

We only ran 2 miles today and Caro and I ran another 1/2 mile with a girl who was struggling. She said she appreciated us going with her. She just ran her first 2 miles. She was so proud of herself (and she should be!). I can tell that we are going to become a close team. Not only do we do this for our health, but we also do this to help find a cure for blood cancers. We will do it!! I am inspired and can't wait for the next run.

Much love,
Heidi

How your donations can help...

*$25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
* $50 registers one person to be a bone marrow donor.
* $75 provides HLA (bone marrow) typing for a family member of a patient with leukemia.
* $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
* $150 provides 10 patients access to a web-conference to learn about their specific blood cancer.
* $300 will train 25 peer volunteers who can provide emotional support to newly diagnosed patients.
* $500 could provide patient aid to a person with Leukemia or a related cancer for an ENTIRE YEAR.
* $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

Team in Training

Recently I decided to make a personal commitment to help find a cure for cancer with The Leukemia & lymphoma Society. I have joined their exciting training and fundraising program called Team in Training right here in San Antonio, Texas! The mission of Team in Training is to cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Myeloma and help improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

I am training to run the San Diego Marathon. That's right, 26.2 miles. I made this commitment for several reasons. First, my friend Sarah is currently fighting Hodgkin's. Since I can't kick the cancer out of her myself, I decided to do Team in Training to raise funds to ultimately find a cure. My second reason is because I am grateful for my good health and want to express my gratitude by using it to help others. And lastly, I want to help sponsor cancer treatment research. The research that the Society has sponsored has been the catalyst for revolutionary treatments for Hodgkin’s disease, Lymphoma, and other cancers, including breast and lung cancers. The research is working: In forty years the survival rate for children with Leukemia has gone from 4% to 85% - a phenomenal difference.

I am training in honor of Sarah Brannon. Sarah was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma just this past September. The fact that Sarah is my age should be proof enough to show it can happen to anyone. Why did she get it and not me? As I live my ordinary, healthy life, she fights a hard fight and still seems so upbeat and is confident that everything is going to be okay. She has the most amazing spirit as she handles round after round of Chemo. With all of the ups and downs that I can't even begin to explain, she still manages to have a smile on her face.

My goal is to raise $4000 by May 18, 2009. To do this, I need your help! If 80 people give $50, then I will easily meet the fund raising goal. Your contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated. 100% is tax deductible and 75 cents out of every dollar benefits The Society and its mission. You can contribute by check made out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or by credit card. My personal website is http://pages.teamintraining.org/stx/rnr09/hgerhardt

Please make a donation to support my participation with Team in Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your continued love and support! Together we can help more moms, dads, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, children and friends survive cancer.

Much love,

Heidi!