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!