Ruth LeFaive has joined Team in Training
Welcome to my fund raising page
When I got the news that my long time friend had died from his battle with leukemia, I replied calmly and with certainty, "No. You're mistaken. I just spoke to him. He's scheduled for a full recovery."
It was weird. Because I know intellectually that denial is one of the early stages of grief. But being in denial is well, being in denial.
The thing is, he should have lived. The last time we spoke, he told me about his ideas for the future. He had plans. To meet a nice woman and settle down, to make films; he dreamt of starting a family someday. And it's not a cliche when I tell you: he would have made such a good father. He should have lived and I’m so angry that he didn’t.
Perhaps you know someone who should have lived. Hopefully, you also know a survivor. It's almost impossible in this day and age to not be personally affected by blood cancers.
So, like many before me and along side of me, I've decided to fight back. And I need your help. This January, I joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® . . . it's the world's largest endurance sports training program. With their guidance, I'm going to walk a full 26.2 marathon this June in San Diego. In this, TNT's 20th year, with your help, we will cross the Billion Dollar line. That's a billion dollars (!) towards ending the suffering caused by blood cancers. What an exciting time to participate.
For the price of one of the cheaper lame, iPod cases you can provide patients with free booklets to help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
For the price of 3 martinis at whatever the new Voda is called (I can never remember) you can fund a family support group session with a trained facilitator.
For the price of a sushi dinner you can fund TEN Kaiser visit co-pays!
For the price of a haircut & color you can pay for parking for six weeks of daily radiation treatments at UCLA/Children's Hospital.
Wait. Let me think about that . . . Six weeks of daily radiation treatments at Children's Hospital. . . . That's a real family driving in their car . . . and parking that car . . . day after day, for six weeks. In order to get treatment for someone they love. Treatment they didn't want to have to need. Treatment that will hopefully lead to good health.
The marathon seems so small when I think about it that way.
Thanks for your support & encouragement.
Sincerely,
Ruth
TRAINING UPDATE: 2/12/08 - I'm having a great time meeting my teammates. The coaches & mentors are awesome. I feel so lucky.
As you can see above, many of you have made utterly generous contributions already. I'm so thrilled with this early response! Thank you!
TRAINING UPDATE: 3/9/08 - I'm writing this in the dark, with my tea & oatmeal at what feels like 5:50am. Spring forward! I'm due in Marina Del Rey in 40 minutes for our 5th Team Practice. We're up to 8 miles. I've already met some people I'm happy to call friends. Go Team!
TRAINING UPDATE: 4/2/08 - I've got 73 miles behind me and exactly 2 months to go before the big day. This Saturday the team is doing a practice race - a 10K - then we're meeting for our usual session on Sunday morning for 13 miles. Go Team! Having a blast & grateful to be healthy enough to enjoy this process. Life is good.
I can't tell you the number of cancer survivors I'm meeting at each and every practice - people whose lives were saved (literally) by the research made possible by Team in Training fund raising grants. Your gifts really do make a difference.
TRAINING UPDATE: 5/6/08 - Today is my father's birthday. I get the utter privilege of calling him and wishing him a happy day. A hand full of my teammates who run along side me have lost their dads to cancer in recent years. I've got to think that donations to Team in Training will keep more people alive. Will keep more fathers and daughters talking on birthdays. I sure do hope so.
Less than one month to fundraise and I'm still not at the minimum. What's the minimum? $2400. So close!
TRAINING UPDATE: 5/25/08 - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Yesterday, I received my 30th donation - the one that put me over the $2400 mark. I'm so relieved to arrive at this milestone of my Team In Training experience! I'm sincerely grateful to each and every one of you who have donated. It's been quite a delight to see your names pop up in my e-mail box. I'm overwhelmed with so many memories of decades gone by & lots of gratitude for my new friendships. What a gift.
Today was our last practice before the marathon. I learned that my team - the Greater LA Westside Summer team - has raised over $350,000! You're donation is a part of that number! Wow! We've got a week until the big day! Wish me luck!
