Well, it is finally official. I have gone off the deep end. As if I haven’t been busy enough this year with graduation, getting married and starting a new job, I have now decided to run a Marathon. Yes, on January 6, 2002, I plan on running the Walt Disney World Marathon, a full 26.2 miles. But before you think I have gone completely nuts, let me tell you why.

In April of this year, my sister-in-law approached me with the idea of running a marathon with Team in Training, a group organized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. At first, I thought she was crazy. I mean, gees that’s a long way to run! But, I agreed to go to the informational meeting anyway. And after listening to the stories of past participants, including one woman who had overcome leukemia and eventually finished her own marathon, I was in.

So where will the motivation come from? That’s an easy one. In addition to gaining the personal satisfaction of running a marathon, I will be doing it for someone else too. I will be running in honor of 4 year old Nick Serum. Nick was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in January of 2000. He received treatment, but unfortunately relapsed in June of this year. He is currently going through Methotrexate treatments every 3-4 weeks. Unfortunately, these treatments tend to make him very sick, but he is hanging in there.

In honor of Nick, I have pledged to raise $3000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Yes, that is a lot of money, but I know that I can do it. However, I need your help. I am asking you to donate to the cause. You have the choice to donate a flat amount or sponsor me with an amount per mile. ($1 per mile = $26.20, $2 per mile = $52.40, etc…) It doesn’t matter. Every donation, large or small, brings us one step closer to finding a cure for leukemia.

Did you know that leukemia is the #1 disease killer of children? Or that every 12 minutes a child or adult dies from leukemia or other blood related cancers? Please help me reach my goal so that I can do my part in beating this terrible disease.

If you would like to make a donation, please click on the "donate" link at the top left of this page, fill out the appropriate information and send your check or money order made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Credit cards are also accepted. This is, of course, a tax-deductible donation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society uses 80 cents of every dollar donated for research, treatments and patient services.

If possible, please send in your donations by October 12, 2001. Of course, donations made after the requested date will be gratefully accepted as well.

Thank you in advance for your loving support.

Sincerely,

Courtney Wassom





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