Saturday, 9/6 at 2pm...save the date! Croquet, raffles, fun!!!

The longest run of my life...so far!

On Saturday I ran...12 MILES!!!! WAAAAAH!

Beer drinkers kick cancer in a BIG way!

Thank you so much to all of you who joined the party at the Rock Bottom Brewery yesterday. The turn-out was incredible. Clearly, you all love beer (especially $2 good beer) and HATE cancer. I was graced with appearances from old friends, high school friends, team friends, friends of friends, and even made some new friends over the course of the evening. I was honored to meet the father of my mentor, Nadine. He has just begun treatment at the Cancer Care Alliance for multiple myeloma (just like Bjorn had), but made the effort to come with his family to my event. Having them there made me even more proud that my supportive and giving friends came out in droves to kick cancer. I also met, Chris, a friend of the Brewmaster, and a leukemia survivor of 6 years. Hearing him talk about what it was like to not be able to eat, sleep or do anything when he was going through treatment made me all the more grateful that we could all enjoy good beer, good company and a raise so much money to fight blood cancers.

So, what was the grand total, you ask? A WHOPPING $820!!!! I can barely believe it myself! This puts me very close to my fundraising goal of $4000, and that much closer to finding a cure. Thank you all so much for your support and your generosity. Somewhere Bjorn is smiling that beer drinking can be so powerful!

Rock Bottom Brewery (Seattle) party, Thursday 8/7, 5:30pm

$2 beers. All proceeds go to my race. Be there or be square.

http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=FVNANFFVEJDVKZRDIDEB

You are so generous, you are winning me awards!

Today I attended my first Saturday "long run" team practice. At the beginning, they make announcements and check everyone in. Nadine, my mentor, gave an update on her father's treatment...which sounds incredibly familiar, as her father is battling the same cancer Bjorn did. And then they passed out fundraising awards. Little did I know that I raised the 2nd most in donations last week for anyone on my team! A whopping $657!!! They gave me a special race tag which said that I was 2nd and I wore it today through my entire 6 1/2 mile run. I was so proud. So a BIG THANK YOU to all of you! We are making a difference to those with blood cancers and to their families...and you have given so much this week that I got to show off how generous my friends, family and coworkers are!

I think Beej must have put in a good word with the Big Guy

When I joined Team in Training on a whim back in May, I knew that I was in for something good. But I had no idea what a journey this would be. The running itself has changed me...physically (yes, I know that my muscles are getting ridiculous) and mentally. My teammates, mentors and coaches have become fast friends and inspirational motivators. But most of all, talking with people about why I am doing this race and asking for their help has taken on a life of its own.

Just a few days ago, I commented to my best friend Jenny that I felt apprehensive about meeting my fundraising goal of $4000. I am so grateful for the generous donations I have already received, and I know that every little bit helps. But I could not help but feel the pressure of my fast-approaching race and fundraising deadline.

However, something incredible has happened in the past two days. Just when I thought it might be time to worry, everything has fallen into place. First and foremost, my team "campaign manager", Jenny, has been all over getting the word out about my race for Team in Training. She has been enthusiastic and hands-on, and I can't express how much I appreciate her love and support. Then, I went to a team dinner at my mentor, Nadine's house...where my teammates and I brainstormed a kick-ass (kick cancer ass, that is) party. This event is going to be out of control: croquet, jello shots, raffles (be there Sept. 13th)! Next, I voiced my apprehensions at a Team run on Tuesday, and not 40 minutes later, I was offered a volunteer position at the Seafair beer gardens (from which all tips will go toward our fundraising goal). And Finally, today, the opportunity to hold a $2 beer party at Rock Bottom Brewery (also the unveiling of a new beer called the "Nice Weisse") simply fell into my lap! Okay, okay, so there are some wonderful TNT teammates who have pulled some major strings here (thank you, Jeff!)...but wow! On top of this, a few friends who own popular local establishments have gone out of their way to say that they will host, fund and donate to events that I hold for my race. What an amazing couple of days!

Tonight I am happier than I have been in a very long time. As I told my roommate, Katrina, "I feel high on life!" I have seen that all I have to do is ask for the support. My friends and teammates (not to mention people I have never met!) have happily joined in my mission to fight the cancer that took my good friend. I cannot help but think that Beej may have put in a good work for me "upstairs" and that he is pretty darn pleased with all that is being done to fight cancer. So far my team has collectively raised over $330,000! I think often about how Bjorn encouraged anyone and everyone to become bone marrow donors, even as his body was rejecting his new marrow. Bjorn was such a great friend, and such a selfless guy who just loved life. I am grateful that this experience is teaching me so much about what friends will do out of love. I think that Bjorn would be proud that I am trying to live my life fully and enjoy every moment. (Oh, and I think he's proud too that I am using beer and fun parties to kick cancer butt!!!)