Hi Everyone:
So the training is in full swing, and the fundraising letters and emails are out. I hope you are visiting my blog today because you received one or the other. I want to send out a GREAT big THANK YOU to those of you who heeded the call for your donations without hesitation. It's in recognizing our rich bounty of blessings, that we are able to reach out and give to those who are facing a battle unlike many of us can imagine. Despite the fact that I asked for your help less than 9 months ago and some of you are already generously donating again, has been a powerful lesson in open-heartedness for me. You are a blessing in my life and in the lives of those who will be changed by your generosity.
I understand that it's easy to see me and others involved in this cause who are healthy now and think, "You guys are fine. Why do you still need me to donate?" But each time I have participated with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training, I have met someone or heard a story from another about a friend or family member that has recently been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia or a loved one who has lost their battle to a common type of Lymphoma. Like I mentioned in my letters and emails, cancer just doesn't wait until next year when it might be more convenient to donate.
In fact, one of my very best friend's Angie, just found out that her 10 year old neice Madison, has been diagnosed with ALL or Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Monday, October 15, 2007. Madison was playing Scout in the Canadian Stratford Festival's Production of To Kill A Mockingbird when the symptoms began. Because of her diagnosis she was not able to perform for her last show the Thursday of that week. Something I know she wanted very much to do. As I am sure you can imagine she is an extremely talented, bright young girl with very big dreams for her future. Upon hearing the news of her diagnosis, her first question to her mom was, "does this mean I am not going to make it to Broadway?"
Her chemotherapy has already begun, as it is very important in her case to begin treatment immediately. With medical advancements, subsidized in part by organizations like LLS we know that her cure rate is good. She's being brave, and has decided, just like I did, not to wear a wig. Instead her and Aunt Angie have begun something they are calling "Madison's Hat Drive." In an effort to cover her balding head in the style of strength Angie has reached out the Broadway community for hats to cover her Broadway Bound niece's head and inspire to keep fighting for her dream! The donations you make to my website are going to help ensure children like Madison's dreams come true.
If you know me at all, you know that I too dream of being on Broadway. With my own journey as a survivor I have finally begun to wholeheartedly pursue my dream. Madison has inspired me to work harder, to run harder, to raise the money and fight for my dreams, too. I hope her story inspires you to do the same.
Thanks, again for stopping by to read my newest blog. I promise to fill you in on training stories, and lighter hearted moments of this incredible journey soon. If you haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, please consider taking a moment now and visiting my fundraising website to make a donation at:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/sblack
Again, and always in deep gratitude for your support,
Shannon
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
HOLY MOLY NOT AGAIN!!!
Hi Everybody!
Well, I completed my first marathon back in June and I am at it again. I mean, after meeting real runners at the race and hearing thier finish times...I thought, I would really love for someone NOT to look at me like I am nut when I tell them my finish time was 2 times the length of their's!! No..no.. just kidding. Certainly the competitive side of me is a little fired up, but it's the survivor in me that got me into this marathon mess, again. By that I mean, our campaign coordinator for the San Diego marathon, after hearing my story about surviving Hodgkin's Lymphoma, encouraged me to become a participating Honored Teammate for the winter season. An Honored Teammate is someone who is or has been diagnosed with a blood cancer who trains to whatever extent they can with other participants on the TNT team. It is our job to be true representatives of what is possible, to encourage and inspire runners with a connection to the cause. After very little deliberation on my part I signed up to train for the WALT DISNEY MARATHON in Orlando, FL on Januray 13, 2007! Whoo hoo!
I must say that the champion of this cause in me saw this as an opportunity to really give back. But really, it's the Mickey Mouse shaped finishing medal that I am after. Just kidding. But it's true! If you finish the 26.2 mile run on January 13, 2007, before the street sweepers come through, you get a Mickey Mouse head-shaped medal! And guess what? The day before the marathon is the half-marathon. They get a Donald Duck shaped medal. Better yet, if you are feeling extra peppy you can run the half-marathon on January 12th and run the full marathon on the 13th and get Donald, Mickey and GOOFY medals!!! That's right, you get a Goofy shaped medal in addition to the other medals!! Good Lord, you'd have to be Goofy to do that!
I will say this though...IF..IF someone wants to make an extremely generous donation like a $1,000 I will pledge to do both the half and the full. I am not kidding. This cause means the world to me. Since training for the last marathon I have heard an overwhelming number of stories about loved ones who lost their battle, as well as stories of those who have just been diagnosed. EVERY HOUR 6 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOOD CANCER. And though the survival rate has increased tremendously, every ten minutes a child or adult dies from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
Doctors and Scientists still do not know what causes the disease. But with funding to do the research, to set up clinical studies like the one I participated in, they are getting closer and closer to a cure. Your support and donations are sooo POWERFUL. I wish I could send you a picture of every survivor or every name of lost loved ones. It doesn't just effect the person diagnosed, but the entire community they belong to. This is the one place where ONE person can MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Each dollar helps improve the quality of life of patients battling blood cancer and gives them more hope that they too will survive and get second chance like I did.
Please take a moment now and make a donation. Simply go to :
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/sblack
If you want to know more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's work as the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for blood cancer go to:
http://www.lls.org
If you've been inspired to get even more involved there are a ton of different events you can participate in: endurance, walks, short runs. Go to :
http://www.teamintraining.org
Keep updated on my journey to my second finish line by visiting my blog often. I am very interested to see if anyone takes me up on my challenge to make a generous donation just to see me to get GOOFY in 2008!
Much love and gratitude
Shannon
Well, I completed my first marathon back in June and I am at it again. I mean, after meeting real runners at the race and hearing thier finish times...I thought, I would really love for someone NOT to look at me like I am nut when I tell them my finish time was 2 times the length of their's!! No..no.. just kidding. Certainly the competitive side of me is a little fired up, but it's the survivor in me that got me into this marathon mess, again. By that I mean, our campaign coordinator for the San Diego marathon, after hearing my story about surviving Hodgkin's Lymphoma, encouraged me to become a participating Honored Teammate for the winter season. An Honored Teammate is someone who is or has been diagnosed with a blood cancer who trains to whatever extent they can with other participants on the TNT team. It is our job to be true representatives of what is possible, to encourage and inspire runners with a connection to the cause. After very little deliberation on my part I signed up to train for the WALT DISNEY MARATHON in Orlando, FL on Januray 13, 2007! Whoo hoo!
I must say that the champion of this cause in me saw this as an opportunity to really give back. But really, it's the Mickey Mouse shaped finishing medal that I am after. Just kidding. But it's true! If you finish the 26.2 mile run on January 13, 2007, before the street sweepers come through, you get a Mickey Mouse head-shaped medal! And guess what? The day before the marathon is the half-marathon. They get a Donald Duck shaped medal. Better yet, if you are feeling extra peppy you can run the half-marathon on January 12th and run the full marathon on the 13th and get Donald, Mickey and GOOFY medals!!! That's right, you get a Goofy shaped medal in addition to the other medals!! Good Lord, you'd have to be Goofy to do that!
I will say this though...IF..IF someone wants to make an extremely generous donation like a $1,000 I will pledge to do both the half and the full. I am not kidding. This cause means the world to me. Since training for the last marathon I have heard an overwhelming number of stories about loved ones who lost their battle, as well as stories of those who have just been diagnosed. EVERY HOUR 6 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOOD CANCER. And though the survival rate has increased tremendously, every ten minutes a child or adult dies from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
Doctors and Scientists still do not know what causes the disease. But with funding to do the research, to set up clinical studies like the one I participated in, they are getting closer and closer to a cure. Your support and donations are sooo POWERFUL. I wish I could send you a picture of every survivor or every name of lost loved ones. It doesn't just effect the person diagnosed, but the entire community they belong to. This is the one place where ONE person can MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Each dollar helps improve the quality of life of patients battling blood cancer and gives them more hope that they too will survive and get second chance like I did.
Please take a moment now and make a donation. Simply go to :
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/sblack
If you want to know more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's work as the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for blood cancer go to:
http://www.lls.org
If you've been inspired to get even more involved there are a ton of different events you can participate in: endurance, walks, short runs. Go to :
http://www.teamintraining.org
Keep updated on my journey to my second finish line by visiting my blog often. I am very interested to see if anyone takes me up on my challenge to make a generous donation just to see me to get GOOFY in 2008!
Much love and gratitude
Shannon
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