My name is Constance "Connie" Karras and I am an ultramarathon runner and clinical exercise specialist at Priority Fitness Personal Training Center in Munster, Indiana: www.priorityfitnesspros.com

Almost fifteen years ago, I became involved with the American Diabetes Association as a support group facilitator in the Chicagoland area and on Purdue University's campus in Hammond, Indiana. Type I diabetes eventually claimed the life of a loved one and it is important to me to do all I can to keep the hope alive for a cure and to raise awareness in general, as there are still millions of undiagnosed cases of this silent killer./p>

As a symbolic triumph over death and in celebration of precious Life, on July 1, 2007 I will be trekking 135 miles through Death Valley, CA in honor of those braves souls who not only lost their lives in the battle against this disease, but to the many heroes and their loved ones, who survive.

I will run with hope that in my lifetime I will witness a cure so that all future generations can only read about this affliction of the past.

To read about my effort in Death Valley, go to the Badwater Ultramarathon Forum: www.badwaterforum.org

I served honorably in the United States Marine Corps and am also running in the hope that not only our brothers and sisters at war will come home soon, but that everyone, everywhere, will find home.

Please give what you can; even one dollar will make a difference. Donations can be made securely online or by mailing check or money order, payable to: The American Diabetes Association, with "Connie's Race for a Cure" in the memo line, and mailing to Priority Fitness Personal Training, 9337 Calumet Avenue, Suite A-2, Munster, IN 46321. Direct questions to me at: badwaterbound@sbcglobal.net and 219-306-9392 or 219-836-8330.

Please consider volunteering your time at your ADA local affiliate or at another agency in some philanthropic capacity of your choice.

If you can't afford a monetary donation, please give of the heart, which is the ultimate healer . Please share a smile every day with someone in pain: it's worth a thousand words and a million bucks.

HONORING SPECIAL FRIENDS: On Friday, April 20, Sharon A. Hawkins, 54, passed away at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCenter in Madison, WI. She is survived by many loving family and friends and her best friend and husband of 33 years, Terry, a man of great courage and strength. Sharon and Terry are both veterans, having met while serving in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their selfless service to our country.

This year's Badgerland F/X 12&24 Hour Track Ultra in Greendale, WI will be dedicated to Sharon. Even in her darkest moments, Sharon did not know self-pity. When I felt tired at Badgerland last year, I looked at Sharon, undergoing chemotherapy, pale and in a head scarf to hide her bald head. She smiled at me, through her pain and suffering, reminding me I wasn't tired - just feeling self-pity. Your spirit lives in each of us forever, Sharon.

THE TREK WAS A SUCCESS! Thank you to everyone who donated to the American Diabetes Association. I made it to the Portals on July 4, finishing in 84:04 after intestinal difficulties. I owe it to my wonderful crew: Max Gordon, Mike Melton, and Juli Aistars. These special people toiled endlessly to ensure a finish and I could not have done it without all of them. I am continuing to accept donations on behalf of the ADA until I reach my goal of $5,000. Thank you Ben and Denise Jones, Hugh Murphy, Marcia and John Rasmussen, Scott Weber, and Ben Eakin, who became the youngest person at 19 to trek 146 miles from Badwater to the summit of Mt. Whitney - and who has insulin-dependent diabetes! You are a hero to all, Ben. Thank you for your inspiration. What an honor to know you. Good luck, Scott, on your upcoming race on the 23rd.

All donations tax-deductible. Happy trails and thank you for your generosity,

Connie Karras