Many of you already know that I started running a few years ago. I was inspired by an article I had read in Cosmopolitan magazine of all things and got the nutty idea that I should run a marathon before my 30th birthday. I actually did it with a dear friend of mine that I taught with. Since then, I've run a few more races and a second marathon.

But those miles were all for me....to feel and look better.

This time, I am running for someone else. I am running for the 165 people who die each day from leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, or myeloma.

On a more personal level, I'm running in the memory of the grandmother that I never had an opportunity to meet, who died of cancer when my dad was a child. I am also running for my uncle who is currently fighting cancer. Two special children named Elizabeth and Mathew, my Honored Heroes, that have been diagnosed with cancer are in my thoughts and prayers as well. Last, I am running for my mom who has undergone double knee replacement surgery and simply doesn't have the ability to run at all anymore. When I am in pain and don't think I can run another step, I will be thinking of all these people.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and thier families.

With your help I can raise money to help fight cancer!!!