Dear Family and Friends,
It’s been a few years since I have written a letter like this, but I am thrilled to say that I have decided to run another marathon! As some of you know, this will be the third time I’ve taken on the challenge of running 26.2 miles. I completed my very first marathon back in June of 2001 in Steamboat Springs, CO and my second one was right here in Phoenix, Arizona for the P.F. Chang’s Rock-n-Roll Marathon in January 2005. Both of those experiences changed my life and had such an amazing impact on me that I simply can’t resist signing up for the challenge again!
This time around I will be running in beautiful San Francisco, California for the Women’s Nike Marathon on October 19, 2008. I feel so honored for this opportunity! I have once again joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program to help me accomplish this goal. Team in Training is the world’s largest endurance sports training program and this year they are celebrating their 20th anniversary! In those 20 years, over 360,000 participants have raised more than $850 million for lifesaving cancer research & to help blood cancer patients live longer, better lives.
At this year’s sign up meeting one of the speakers touched on something very powerful. She mentioned that we were helping to save lives by finding a cure, but because life is so unexpected, you never know if down the road one of your loved ones might have to fight cancer. This hit me hard! I have two little girls and like all parents you only want the very best for your children. If our family was ever tested with such an overwhelming challenge, I would want all the help I could get. We all hope for the best in life and pray that nothing like cancer ever happens to our loved ones, but the truth is - it does happen to families out there until we find a cure! Looking at it from this perspective, it made me want to be a part of this organization even more!
TNT is setting its sights on reaching the $1 billion mark by the end of this 20th anniversary celebration year! That’s why I need your help! My personal goal to help them reach this mark is $4,200. Please help support me in my challenge by contributing generously to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Your donation goes directly to patients and to finding a cure! What’s more, it’s fully tax deductible!
There are two ways to make a donation:
1.) Go to my very own personal TNT training page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/nikesf08/mhillhazri
Click on “Donate Now” to help me reach my goal!
2.) Leave me a comment or send me an email at jmtth143@cox.net
I will gladly accept donations after August 8th, however the sooner I meet my fundraising goal, the better I can focus my energy on preparing for the marathon. I also encourage you to pass on this letter (or the URL above) to anyone else who might be interested in helping this cause. Whatever amount you can give will help – every penny counts! For those of you that are able to donate at least $26.20 (that’s $1 for each mile) I plan on writing your names on my jersey the day of the race! This will serve as a reminder of what a wonderful support team I have cheering me on!
I am running this marathon in honor of all individuals battling leukemia - these people are the real hero’s on my team! I’m so thankful for this opportunity to better myself and contribute my time and efforts to such a wonderful cause! Thank you so very much for all of your support through this adventure!
Love, Megan
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1 Thoughts to share!:
Way to go Megan! How I wish I could run right now! :) Good for you! What an amazing accomplishment.
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