Dear friends and family,

I have recently committed to running another marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training to raise money in attempt to accelerate finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and bring increased hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these blood cancers. For those of you who don’t know, I ran with them last year in my first 26.2 mile conquest in San Diego. This year I’ll be running in the Seattle Rock and Roll and rocking the home team!

I attended my first training run on Saturday with the Spokane group, who is only a few weeks into their session. Their fundraising has already helped 164 families! I think this is incredible and hope that I can join them in their efforts with your help. My fundraising site is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl10/cgoade

My team is amazingly supportive. We have “mission moments” every week that come from families who experience every affect of cancer. This week we had a woman whose close friend came down with lymphoma at 40 and found out she was pregnant a year later. Because of the rare case of her cancer, the doctors didn’t know how to proceed. There was one possible treatment that came from the core blood of one baby, but since her case was so severe it would take the contents of two to make a difference. The doctors didn’t even know if it would be safe for her to carry one as their was no previous case to refer to. Shortly after, she was informed she would be having twins. Not only did her children come into the world as healthy, beautiful babies, but she received a treatment she desperately needed and is still alive to watch them grow. Without the money for research and patient care she might not be here today.

For a little bit of history, I ran the San Diego Rock and Roll Full Marathon last year and hobbled across the finish on a sprained ankle wondering, “what the heck am I doing!?” and begging Joe not to let me sign up for another marathon. Ever. Again. But then a woman came up to me crying, threw her arms around me and thanked me. She said I inspired her to such a degree that she was signing up with her daughter for next year. She told me she knew it was possible to make a difference from watching me. It was all tears after that and here we go again!

Yes, I am asking for your support. The sooner the better. I know, I know, I’m hitting you up for more money in a terrible economy! But hey; it’s never a bad time to save lives.

I will follow up soon and you can track my progress at the same website I used last year:

http://littlestepslongway.blogspot.com/

I’m counting on you to help me make a difference and sincerely appreciate anything you can give. Come out on June 26th and watch me rock the finish line!

I love you and am always thankful to be a part of your life,

Crystal

Help me in the race for the cure! http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl10/cgoade