Million Dollar Marathon

This week I am foregoing Foodie Friday for a great cause.  As many of you know, the Million Dollar Marathon is going on right now.  If you aren't familiar with this, it is a 4,000-mile run across America, one marathon at a time, to raise money for cancer research.  It began on June 21, in  Ocean Shores, Washington, and will end in Rehoboth, Delaware,  on July 31. It was organized by Above + Beyond Cancer.

On Tuesday evening those running that day's marathon arrived in Des Moines with the baton.  There was a free concert and a gathering of both runners and supporters.  Then on Wednesday another group took off from Des Moines to Grinnell for the next leg.

One of my managers is taking part in this and is going to be running her marathon on Sunday.  Her name is Ashley.  You can read  her story and why she is running by clicking here.  

Michael and I donated to this cause in memory of Michael's mother, Lila, who had breast cancer.   Ashley told us she put Lila's name on a ribbon she will wear in her hair when she runs on Sunday.  Just hearing that brought tears to my eyes.  She also has the names of other family members and friends of ours who have had cancer:  those who didn't survive, those who have beat it, and those who are still fighting.  

Ashley's goal is to raise $7,500.  If you are able to, would you please consider a donation?  Whatever you can do would be appreciated -  no donation is too small.  She still has a few spaces to write in names on her ribbons if you wish to donate in memory of or in honor of someone.  Just leave a comment in the comment box when you donate on her page, give her the first name and last initial, and the type of cancer that person had/has.  She will make room for as many as possible.  

Statistics show that 600,000 people will die of cancer in the next year.  That is staggering.  I know, statistics are so clinical and a number doesn't always sink in with me.  So instead think of how many people you know who have had cancer... then think of how many weren't able to win their fight, no matter how bravely they fought. 

Ashley isn't just running for those who have had cancer.  She runs for all of us.  None of us knows what our future holds.  But with people like Ashley out there doing the leg work for us, we all have a fighting chance.  

So while I am having a relaxing Sunday, Ashley will be running 26 miles through part of Illinois in the July heat,  but she won't  be running alone.  

In addition to a few other runners who will be joining her for those 26 miles, the names of those she has written on ribbons and tied in her hair will be running right along with her,  encouraging her, thanking her, and reminding  her every step of the way why she is doing this.

Compared to the fight many of our friends and family have waged against various forms of cancer and compared to Ashley's willingness to run 26 miles, a donation seems like such a small thing.  But with all of us pulling together our small gifts can become great ones.

Run Ashley, Run.