I TINK We Can... Cure Cancer!

Oh I am such a mush these days, I really thought once I had Gabriella I would return to my somewhat hardened, emotionally stunted self... but I have not. If nothing else, I am softer, more sensitive and maybe nicer? Ok, let us not get too carried away. One thing is for sure, I have changed, and I believe it is for the better.

There are few things that scare me in the world. Pretty bold statement, I know. I mean, I definitely do not have an affection for spiders by any means, but I'm still bigger than they are, right? I guess when it comes to fears, the biggest one has been and always will be, illness. Losing someone close to me from something we cannot see, feel, touch. Some invisible to the naked eye, demon from within, which takes hold of an innocent person and ravages them. Since having Gabriella, this fear has become more pronounced. What if something happens to her? Something I can't see...will I even know?

When my running partner in crime & all things fitness, Heather and I realized that this year, TNT would be heading to Disneyland for the Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon, there was no doubt, we were running for a purpose! The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training, raises funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. When I saw the amount of money I would pledge to raise, I thought - Can I do this? Well, I can, and I will, but it won't be alone - I'll need your help!

When I was filling out the forms to register, it asks you if you are doing this in Memory of or in Honor of a particular person. The crazy part, you have 1 line. I don't know about you, but I can name at least a half dozen people whose name could be on that line. When I was debating whose name would be best represented, I just kept coming back to one person, a child, Yano Pournaras. Maybe it's because having a small child of my own, I felt like his story represented hope, that if this little man could fight so hard, we all have a chance. Yano Pournaras was 2 & 1/2 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma (Read more about his journey), a parents worst nightmare, I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts, the feelings, the wide range of emotions being experienced. I tear up just thinking about it, what is a parent to do? Yano has a website provided by CaringBridge.org, I urge you to read all the many entries of his fight against Cancer... *grab some tissues first...just sayin'

Feeling more than inspired, feeling like a woman on a mission, and full of purpose, I am working hard on collecting donations. I have been emailing companies for items to raffle. I've been asking people to donate as little as a dollar to make a difference. I know that we can all relate to at least one story of cancer, we all know at least one person who fought the fight of their lives. I know some who have won, and sadly some who did not.

I do want to thank Dr. Pournaras for being the first person to donate to my fundraising page, it means a lot to me to be able to honor your baby boy and I really appreciate your generosity! With all you and your family has endured over the past few years, you deserve nothing less than health and happiness (and we will continue to pray for it). I will also say that he is an awesome dentist, and I'd highly recommend him but then I might never get an appointment if everyone used him..lol

So if you find yourself wanting to support the cause, help fund cancer research, and make a contribution to my fundraiser, please go ahead and not just do it, but leave a comment, tell me if there is someone you want to honor, I will post the list of all my donors on my blog in January. If you'd rather not appear on the list, just tell me that too :) I will respect your privacy! I deeply appreciate every dollar donated, some day there will be a cure for cancer...

I want to donate!