Racewalking For A Cure
Last spring I took on the challenge to racewalk my first half marathon on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. After putting in over 90 hours of training and 337 miles I completed it. Well, this year I am continuing my involvement by doing a Full Marathon - that’s right - 26.2 long miles! I am a volunteer member for the Team In Training (TNT) program in Lubbock. We work hard by not only physically training to improve our strength and endurance to complete marathons, but we work hard at raising funds in which over 75% goes back for research, patient services, advocacy & education to The Society. My goal this year is to raise $3500.
From the beginning of my involvement with TNT, raising money for cancer research has been a high priority. This was made much more personal for me in 2002 when my good friend Rick Honeywell was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in March. Rick was a Maintenance Superintendent in the US Air Force, a wonderful husband & the father of two children, and one of those people that made you a better person just by knowing him. He lost his battle to cancer in November. It breaks my heart to think of him and the many others who were not able to survive their battle. But then I refocus and think of those who are still fighting & winning their battles. In 1960, the childhood survival rate against Leukemia was a mere 4%. But in the last decade, it has risen to 81%. That gives me hope for the Honored Heroes I am racewalking for. I would love for you to meet Josh, Houston, Marie, Tiffany and Matt. They are just a few of many who give me inspiration and motivation to continue in this work. The challenges that I will face are nothing compared to the challenges that they and their families face every day. They can’t choose to quit in their battle, so neither will I.
I am also dedicating my efforts to several people who have fought the battle against cancer and lost: My mother, Bonnie, Lena Mahaley and Jay Cepica. If you have a loved one that you would like for me to add, please let me know. I would be more than happy. On race day I plan to wear ribbons with their names on it attached to my racing singlet.
As the next few months move along you will find reports on each of my Honored Heroes in my diary log and the photo galary. I will also include pictures of the team so you can REALLY see what we are doing. Please feel free to leave me a note or two. Words of encouragement are more precious than you’ll ever know.
Thank you so much for choosing to support me and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am hoping you will find it possible to make a generous donation, but no donation is too great or small, every bit really helps! The Society is working diligently to find a cure for blood related cancers: Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and Multiple Myeloma. A cure for Leukemia would mean great strides in curing all cancers since their research is considered to be the window to the treatment and cure for all other cancers and AIDS.
I racewalk for Hope. I racewalk for a Cure. Please join me in my journey and follow along with the progress.
Live with intention.
Run to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with ambition.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Continue to learn.
Appreciate your friends.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
~~Mary Anne Roadacher-Hershey~~
Striving for the best,
Senja
From the beginning of my involvement with TNT, raising money for cancer research has been a high priority. This was made much more personal for me in 2002 when my good friend Rick Honeywell was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in March. Rick was a Maintenance Superintendent in the US Air Force, a wonderful husband & the father of two children, and one of those people that made you a better person just by knowing him. He lost his battle to cancer in November. It breaks my heart to think of him and the many others who were not able to survive their battle. But then I refocus and think of those who are still fighting & winning their battles. In 1960, the childhood survival rate against Leukemia was a mere 4%. But in the last decade, it has risen to 81%. That gives me hope for the Honored Heroes I am racewalking for. I would love for you to meet Josh, Houston, Marie, Tiffany and Matt. They are just a few of many who give me inspiration and motivation to continue in this work. The challenges that I will face are nothing compared to the challenges that they and their families face every day. They can’t choose to quit in their battle, so neither will I.
I am also dedicating my efforts to several people who have fought the battle against cancer and lost: My mother, Bonnie, Lena Mahaley and Jay Cepica. If you have a loved one that you would like for me to add, please let me know. I would be more than happy. On race day I plan to wear ribbons with their names on it attached to my racing singlet.
As the next few months move along you will find reports on each of my Honored Heroes in my diary log and the photo galary. I will also include pictures of the team so you can REALLY see what we are doing. Please feel free to leave me a note or two. Words of encouragement are more precious than you’ll ever know.
Thank you so much for choosing to support me and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am hoping you will find it possible to make a generous donation, but no donation is too great or small, every bit really helps! The Society is working diligently to find a cure for blood related cancers: Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and Multiple Myeloma. A cure for Leukemia would mean great strides in curing all cancers since their research is considered to be the window to the treatment and cure for all other cancers and AIDS.
I racewalk for Hope. I racewalk for a Cure. Please join me in my journey and follow along with the progress.
Live with intention.
Run to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with ambition.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Continue to learn.
Appreciate your friends.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
~~Mary Anne Roadacher-Hershey~~
Striving for the best,
Senja