NOT all about me...

I think the people around me have forgotten that this isn't all about me. I can see how that happens... the training is about my body, what I do, how I do it, and what I don't do. The fundraising has a lot to do with what I can organize, how I do it, and what energy I pour into it. It gets pretty personal. I see how the real reason can get lost in the shuffle of car washes, things for sale, and general gimmicks. I get it. It happens.

But it's NOT ABOUT ME. It's not about most of the people I know. It's about those I don't know. The few I know who have battled cancer have been amazingly brave and brazen. Their fear, for I know it had to be there, they did not show. Like warriors, they fought the good fight. Some won, some lost. Some barely had a chance to fight. Statistics show that someone dies from blood cancer every 10 minutes. And that's just blood cancers. 9.5% of new cancer cases in the U.S. are blood cancers (Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Hodgkin's Disease being the most common of those). THIS is what it's about.

I am healthy.
I am strong.
I am able.

and I have no guarantee that I will stay that way. Yes, I am accomplishing one of my own personal goals by completing a marathon. But, IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. How many other lives am I reaching by tackling this goal? I will likely never know. It may be one, it may be one hundred.

Let's fight while we can, for those we can.

As for the latest fundraiser, I will say this: You only live once. And hair grows back. Let's focus on those who don't have a choice. There are so many who lose their hair not out of choice, not for a statement, not for appearances, but because they have no choice.

Let's get real.

Shave... or Save...

SHAVE it
OR
SAVE it

Should Susan Shave* it? Or Save* it?
Put your MONEY where your MOUTH is…
YOU DECIDE!
Tally Finale - To Be Announced
All proceeds will go towards Susan’s fundraising goal.
Hair donated to Locks of Love.
*A Razor Shave will occur only if the dollar votes for Shave reaches or exceeds $2000.
*Saving of hair will expire at the end of 2009 calendar year.

I’ve signed up to run the Nike Women’s Full Marathon in San Francisco on October 18 with Team In Training (TNT), an organization committed to fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). My goal is to raise $4100 by October 1, 2009. I’ll do the running, if you’ll do the donating! Thanks for your time, love, and gracious giving!
Cash Donations may be made directly to me. Online donations may be made using the link below. If donating online, please be sure to leave your vote in the comments section.
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sc/nikesf09/syoungqcgb