Amber Alexander's Fundraising Page
Help me Raise Money to Save Lives!
Welcome to my Team In Training home page!
On July 1st, 2006 I began training for the San Antonio Marathon (26.2 miles) as part of the Team in Training to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a not-for-profit, voluntary health organization whose mission is to cure leukemia and its related cancers--lymphoma, multiple myeloma and Hodgkin's disease--and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The Society provides funding for research, public and professional education, advocacy, patient aid and community service programs.
We Need Your Help!
It is estimated that leukemia and related cancers struck more than 107,000 Americans last year. Lymphoma rates rose more than 70% over the past 25 years, accounting for more than 454,000 diagnosed Americans. Although the cause of these cancers remains unknown, steady advances in research and treatment are bringing us closer to cures. In fact, thanks to research funded in part by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukemia has improved from 4% in 1960 to more than 80% today. Over the years, leukemia & lymphoma research has proven to be the window of hope for potential cures for other forms of cancer. Bone marrow transplantation as well as chemotherapy--the backbone of treatment of most forms of cancer--stemmed from leukemia research.
Honored Hero!
Although I have not been personally affected by blood cancers. I've met survivors such as our honored hero, Chad Harthan, who has benefited from the research and support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provides. Chad was diagnosed with Acute Lyphocytic Leukemia when he was just 8 months old. Chad is now 8 yrs old and in remission. Your donation will keep the hope alive for so many others and help complete the ultimate marathon--finding the cure!
How You Can Help!
I need your help to meet my fundraising goal--to raise a minimum of $3,000. I am asking my family, friends, and anyone interested to make a donation on my behalf to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. All donations are 100% tax deductible and can easily be made securely online via this webpage. 75% of each donation goes directly to help support the cause.
I realize there are many charities looking for your support this year; I hope the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through this campaign can be one of them. If you know others who would like to make a donation, please share this website with them.
I’m requesting all donations be made by Dec. 15th; however I will gladly accept your donation afterwards. Please be sure to use the “Make a Contribution” box in the upper right corner of this page for all online donations. If you’re not comfortable with the online donation option, please mail a check or money order made payable to “The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society” to me at the following address:
AMBER ALEXANDER, 3379 TIMBER VIEW DR #5201, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78251
If you have any questions regarding this campaign, you may contact me via email at: cali_angel1981@yahoo.com.
Remember NO donation is TOO SMALL!
Thanks for your support!
Amber Alexander
Update!
July 15th I had my third practice. I ran 6 miles! The frist half was great since we started at 630am it was still cool, but towards the end of the run I was tired. It's hot in Texas, even at 7am! I'm having a great time running with others. I am determined to reach my fundraising goal! Thanks for your support!
It's July 22nd and I've raised $700- CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! I am so excited. I just finished my 8 mile run this morning & it was full of hills, but I am really enjoying running with the group. I am a slow runner so our group takes it easy! Thank you so much for your donations!
August 20th - Yesterday I ran 14 miles for the first time ever! It seemed like the run would never end. When I'm out there running I think of those undergoing treatment and what they have to go through, and it makes me keep going. So far I've raised over $1300 for blood cancer research. Thanks again for your support and donations! I couldn't do it without You!
September 23rd- I have raised over $1800 so far for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!!! YAY!!! I just had a yard sale & made a little over $200! Last week I completed an 18 mile training run & I am so excited to have my goal in sight to finish the marathon November 12th!
November 6th- I'm so excited! My last practice was this weekend! I've raised over $2000 so far. I can't believe I did this! All those training runs! Every weekend at 630am & now it's finally here (almost)!!! Thanks so much for your support!
Nov. 18th ~ My 26.2 Mile Journey
Two years & 60 pounds ago I could barely jog a half mile. A friend convinced me to start a run/walk program. When I could finally run (slowly) for 30 minutes I thought wow, I am awsome! I always wanted to be one of those ppl who could just go out and run without stopping. So we ran together every Saturday on the beach of Spain. Then she got transferred & I found new running friends. Now I knew I couldn't run as far as they did, so I told them I would start with them & turn around early. My friend said, no, you're going to go to the 4 mile turn around (4 miles total that is). I thought- NO WAY, you're crazy. I just started running 3miles and I thought that was impossible. She said, yes- you're running 4 miles today. Just keep running, slow down when you get tired, but don't stop. So I did. A few days later she made me do 5 miles. She made me run when it hurt, when it was too cold, when I was too tired, when I was sick etc etc etc. No matter what, we ran!
I transferred back to the states & took a month or two off, but I had to start running again. At first 2 miles was tough, but before I knew it I was up to 4-5 miles again. I even started up my Saturday morning runs again, and got up to 7 miles.
Then I got a Team in Training flyer in the mail about raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society & training for a half or full marathon. I thought, well I should see about that, they say they'll train you...
I showed up, and signed up. I was SCARED. I had no clue how I was going to raise $2000. To start slow I told myself I'd only do the half (13.1 miles) knowing I really wanted to do the full.
So we did our training runs... 10 was tough, 12 was tougher, 14 hurt bad. I thought how in the world will I run 20 miles, let alone 26.2 when I can barely run 14? But I just kept coming to practice, running the distance. Icing up when I got home and taking a nap Saturday afternoon. Before I knew it I was up to 18 miles, then 20. It wasn't until the 18 & 20 milers that my ankle started hurting & my knee. But I still ran. I took a few weekday runs off here and there, but I stuck to the plan.
I never though it would happen. Finally race day was almost here. I counted down. Finally it was time. I had worked so hard. I couldn't believe I was actually doing it. I expected the actual race to be easier than a training run b/c the course was flat and there were spectators, I expected to not feel a lot of pain until mile 20, and I expected to be faster. So I ran faster. About mile 5 my ankle hurt, so I changed my stride to lessen the impact. By mile 10 my hamstring was hurting pretty bad. But I reached the half way mark (13.1 miles) in 2 hrs 36 minutes. I thought, just make it to 20, just make it to 20. At mile 16 I was hurting pretty bad, and shortly after that my right calf started cramping. I wouldn't quit though. I HAD to cross that finish line no matter what, so I walked- A LOT. But I made it to mile 20 & started jogging a little more. Finally mile 25, my favorite mile. I was able to jog most of this b/c I really just wanted the whole thing to be over. I finished, 5 hour and 53 minutes after I started....
I never thought I could run a marathon, but I did. I never thought someone like me could do that - someone out of shape, someone who hated running. I thought marathons were for atheletes and fast runners, but I was wrong. I AM A MARATHONER. I have done something only 1% of the population does. I know not everyone WANTS to run a marathon, but I do & I will do it again.
