I began working for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society part time back in May of 2011. A year later I got a full time position with LLS's Team In Training program. When I started last May, I was supporting two half marathon and marathon teams - the Chicago and Nike Women's Marathon team.

You may be thinking, why would anyone in their right mind want to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles? Well trust me that thought has crossed my mind a time or two! In October of 2012, I traveled to San Francisco with my Nike team to cheer them on and find out what all this marathon business was really about. The entire event weekend experience blew my mind. Not only did my small but mighty team of 28 individuals all cross the finish line on race day, but they also raised over $90,000 for LLS. The feeling was so overwhelming and I was so proud to have been able to support them throughout this experience.

The whole experience was a huge inspiration to me. I knew that the feeling of pride I felt for my team that weekend was not even close to the sense of pride they must have felt for themselves, and I knew that was a feeling I wanted to experience. That is why this year I decided that I am going back to California with Team In Training. The only difference is this time I won't be cheering from the side lines. I will be running 26.2 miles in the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon on June 2nd.

A whole bunch of feelings came to mind when I clicked the "Register" button online. Scared, nervous, excited, determined and I am sure a "Am I delusional?" popped into my mind at one point. But the reasons I have to complete this thing far outweigh the excuses not to do it. What is my reason you ask? The LLS mission: To find a cure for all blood cancers and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its inception LLS has provided over $875 million to support research and is one of the last remaining voluntary health organizations to provide financial assitance to its constituents.

While I have no personal connection to the mission, my time as an employee with the organization has introduced me to so many incredible people: patients, survivors and others who have been affected by blood cancers. I have heard so many uplifting and heartbreaking stories. The strength and bravery of these people is my inspiration. If they can endure all the things that come with a cancer diagnosis, why can't I endure 26.2 miles? So in honor of everyone I have met throughout my LLS journey, I have committed to crossing the finish line while raising $3,000 for LLS.

Please help me cross the finish line in San Diego by making a 100% tax deductible donation to my fundraising page. 78.1% of all funds raised go directly back towards funding the mission.

THANK YOU!

Jennie