Two months ago, not content with my downtime when not at work, I decided I wanted to do something useful. I needed something to do, some goal to work towards while not at my job. My goal a year ago and the previous 3 years before that was to learn computer animation really well so I could get a good job that I would love. Now that I’ve accomplished that goal, a part of me has been pretty restless during my free time. Many would probably be content with having no dire responsibilities or life struggles. I have to admit, I consider myself pretty lucky. I’m healthy, have a great job, and have no serious worries. However, many people are not so lucky and I feel that since I am willing and able, there really is no reason why I should not help them.
For the past 6 weeks, I’ve been training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training to run in the Rome Marathon. In return for the training, I am fundraising $5000 for the LLS, 75% of which will go to cancer research and aid to people suffering from cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. A couple weeks ago, after a run, the team listened to talks from our honorees, people who had or still have these types of cancers. One speaker in particular made an imprint in my mind. He was diagnosed with B-cell follicular lymphoma 3 years ago. Once he was diagnosed, he went through chemotherapy and went into remission, which is when the cancer appears to have gone away. A couple years later the cancer came back and he went through chemotherapy again. He battled through and his lymphoma went back into remission. He’s undergoing a series of injections now every few months to try to ensure the cancer doesn’t come back. However, people can only take this drug a set amount in their life time. For him, he would reach this limit in 3 years. If the cancer comes back after that, all that’s left is more chemotherapy, which is why he said with a smile that he’s “depending on us to help fund the research to find the cure in the next 3 years.” When he was done talking, he sort of looked towards the ground, took a breath, smiled, and sat back down. For some reason, it was that smile that stuck in my mind. It seemed that after all that he’s been through and whatever the future holds for him, all he can do is smile.
The Rome Marathon is in March and so far I have raised over $3000. I still have a ways to go, so please, if you can donate any amount, visit my fundraising website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/rome09/cvernon