Although I ran since I was in my early twenties, the challenge to do a marathon was actually an impulsive declaration to my old high school friends. When they saw me 30 pounds heavier in the summer of 2009, I told them that I would train to run a marathon so that I could lose weight before I turn 40. Not a minute too long after that, I thought to myself, "What have I done"! The first chance I have, I bought a good pair of running shoes, purchased a treadmill, and then the long runs on weekends, nights and early mornings started. After my first full marathon in October 2009, I was hooked on running. A few months later, I ran my 2nd marathon in Pennsylvania and then followed by 4 more in less than two years after my first one. I can run a half marathon any given day, and I know my body well enough to know that it would take me approximately 4 weeks of training to do a full one. I run slowly and I am comfortable with the notion that it is not possible for me to break my own personal record of 4:52. However, running gives me a lot of joy, a sense of accomplishment. I wouldn't be able to run if I was not in a decent shape and I wouldn't be in this shape if I didn't run.

 

This is where my heart goes to people who are living with cancer. During or after treatment, they are not able to do things that they like doing that gives them joy, accomplishment or activities that they feel define them. It is not just the physical pain that they have to endure, as they are also hit hard, mentally and emotionally. Many of them understand what goes through and life lessons learned being an adult helps them cope with the situation.

 

However, children with cancer are of different case. All they know is that they are sick, and that they can't play or go to school to see their friends. They miss their cheerleading or basketball practice.   They miss their school dance, and it must be devastating to lose your hair in your teen. Instead of a play date, they have doctors’ appointments, sitting in waiting rooms or waiting for their chemotherapy infusion and then endure the side effects of the treatment. When most of us imagine in their situation, you often begin to think that your worst childhood memory couldn't be compared to being afflicted with cancer at a very young age. 

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSD) is an organization that aims to fulfill little Alex's dream in finding a cure for cancer, hence it funds over 150 research projects nationally. They exist because of people who support in the organization's vision to cure cancer, and I do hope that you share the same vision and hope as I do. This organization was inspired by Alex, a cancer stricken child who opened a lemon stand so that she can raise money so that she can help out other children who suffer from cancer. I wish I was that kind of a kid. But as a grown-up, I'd like to support the cause she has started, because even though I think that there's no cure to completely eradicate cancer. I believe that the world would be a better place, when cancer treatment on children is far more effective that it is now. 

 

So how is my running Philadelphia Marathon going to help me raise money for ALSF? I was hoping that I can get your attention, and that I declare that I would devote other than spending approximately 2800 calories to run the marathon, time and effort to coordinate this fundraising event. No matter what belief we have, we find solace in our hearts and minds that when tragedy such as children being afflicted with cancer, that this is God's plan for both the child, their parents and the people who love that child. However, I believe that God also would like us to find in our life to help these children and believe that people should take care of one another, however they can.