Fighting to reach cancer's finish line 

I've been an avid distance runner for the better part of my youth and young adult years, and almost two decades ago, I ran my first marathon and raised significant funds for the fight against blood cancer. Three more marathons and two kids later, I was diagnosed with AML (leukemia), and overnight, I myself became a patient, fighting for my life, and suddenly on the receiving end of the money raised by so many generous race participants before me. 

Now in remission for almost three years, I've beat cancer and regained the strength to once again become a fundraising athlete, and I can't think of a better organization to support than Be the Match, a nonprofit that funds groundbreaking research, eases the patient financial burden, and provides lifesaving stem cell transplants to give recipients a second chance at life. 

This March, I plan on running my first half-marathon as both a Be the Match Team Member and a blood cancer survivor—and I hope you'll consider making a donation in support of my efforts to annihilate this horrific illness once and for all. I'm running because I know firsthand what so many patients are experiencing; I'm running in honor and in memory of dear friends and fellow cancer warriors, many of whom have lost lives to this disease; and I'm running because—after a long, arduous fight with AML—I now can.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me in countless ways, through the darkest hours in the thick of this illness, and now as a runner who plans to show cancer that it's got nothing on me. I look forward to crossing that finish line on March 17th for all those who continue to fight, and for my own personal finish line of continued remission and renewed health—and with your support, any and all of it is entirely possible.