10 reasons why I choose to PUNCH CANCER IN THE FACE

As I was thinking of what I was going to write today for an update on my fundraising page, I looked at the date and realized that in 6 days it marks my dad’s birthday. This will be the 3rd year we won’t have ice cream birthday cake as we sing him happy birthday around the kitchen table. And that makes my heart sad.

I find myself a bit more upset than usual. I find myself extremely angry that he is no longer here. I find myself looking for an outlet to express these feelings, and the way that I know how, is by writing. So I decided to remind myself, and all of you Why I train, Why I fundraise, Why I choose to punch cancer in the face.

So here I have compiled my list of:

10 reasons why I choose to PUNCH CANCER IN THE FACE.

10. I have an amazing group of people fighting alongside me.

Through Team in Training I have personally met hundreds of individuals sharing my passion, my fire, my drive, my heart, my longing for a cure. They fight for a cure alongside me. Cancer survivors, runners, fighters and people who just want to make a difference.

9. Because I can.

I have the voice to spread awareness. I have the words to write about my journey and the journey of so many others. I have the ability to raise funds for a cure. And I have working legs, that will go as many miles possible, towards the ultimate finish line a CURE FOR CANCER.

8. To give someone else more days

Hearing of lost of loved ones, days cut short, moments unable to be shared. It breaks my heart. I punch cancer in the face, to provide more days for those fighting the fight. More days for them and their loved ones to cherish. More moments to be captured. More unforgettable moments to be had. More lasting memories for them to make.

7. I know what I do makes a difference.

Raising funds and awareness makes a difference. I know, with every fiber in me, that we are doing good, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. I will keep punching cancer in the face to continue making a difference in the lives of those I know, and those I will never meet.

6. To inspire others

By punching cancer in the face. By running. By training. By fundraising. By spreading awareness. By sharing my connection to cancer... Who knows, maybe I can inspire another. Maybe, my words can impact someone. Maybe the story of my dads cancer journey and my journey alongside him can touch someone else. Maybe, my actions can lead someone else on a journey towards punching cancer in the face, as well.

5. To help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

I've seen first hand the lives saved by the money The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has raised. I do this for more success stories. For more survivors. For a world with no more cancer.

4. I want to change this statistic: “Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every 10 minutes someone dies”

I aim to change this statistic. That is far too many people being diagnosed & far too many lives lost. I will keep fighting, keep running, keep fundraising, keep pouring my heart into this until a CURE is found.

3. With every day that passes my list of those I train for, grows longer. The length of the list needs to diminish.

Every name I add to this list, I carry them with me. Every person that I know, those that I don't. Stories that I hear about others. Every honored teammate I have the privilege to meet. Every cancer jouney I encounter. For every person I will not meet. They all hold a place in my heart. Always. I won't stop until the writing of names stops.

2. Because CANCER SUCKS.

Obviously. It's an asshole. End of story.

1. Because not having made any new memories with my dad for the past 2 ½ years is absolutely heartbreaking.

All I want is one more day, one more celebration, one more hug, one more smile, one more laugh, one more moment. I’d give anything to do what he loved, play golf. One more dad and daughter day at the driving range, one more birthday round of golf, one more large bucket of golf balls shared.

Let's PUNCH CANCER IN THE FACE together!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nikesf13/punchcancerintheface

Will you PUNCH CANCER IN THE FACE with me?!

Hello spectacularly AMAZING friends and family! 

Well, as you most likely already know, I am currently training with TEAM IN TRAINING for The Nike Women's Marathon, in San Francisco which takes place October 20, 2013. 

2 years ago, I made a LIFE CHANGING decision, and joined TEAM IN TRAINING. I joined just 4 1/2 months after losing my dad to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Before Team in Training, after my dad passed I had more bad days than good, I had more tears shed than I could ever imagine, I had my spirit withering away and I had a heart breaking with every passing day. But from that first practice, that moment I met my Team--- everything changed. To witness such passion from teammates, to see their drive, their courage, their strength, their unbelievable support, to listening to their inspiring words—it is truly a site to see, it is ELECTRIFYING and I think it’s contagious!

My journey with my amazing TEAM has brought me such joy.. it has given me more good days than bad, more smiles than tears, a spirit fully alive and on fire, and a heart being put back together each passing day. I am honored to be a part of the team, to stand in their midst, to fight with them by my side for a cure, to be a CANCER KILLER and to call them my TNT family!

I am forever changed, forever inspired, forever motivated, forever a Cancer Killer.

I can proudly and happily say I have not been alone in my journey with Team in Training. My family and I have all taken an active roll with Team in Training. As you most likely know, my brother joined Team in Training a season after me, and my sister joined a season after that. We have been determined and passionate in running, and biking towards a cure for cancer. All in memory of our dad. With our mom as our #1 supporter, through our training and events. After 5 seasons of fundraising, and hundreds and hundreds of miles completed, with much support from incredible friends and family, WE have raised a total of $17,352.38 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Incredible, right? I think so! But what I would love to see, is for us to exceed $20,000! And I know we will! And we will certainly go BEYOND!

I have been part of Team in Training for 4 UNFORGETTABLE seasons.

I've been a participant, a mentor for 3 seasons, and a Mission Captain. And here I am for season #5, right back where I started, as a participant.

This season I have a goal of raising $5,485.18. You may be wondering why $5,548.18?! Well ever if you aren't wondering, I am still going to tell you WHY! :)

I have chosen a goal of $5,485.18 because...

• That is what I raised my first season with Team in Training in 2011
• Why not set the bar high?
• I know that with that money, so much GOOD can be done
• If I raise it, as a family we will have exceeded $20,000 for LLS
• If I reach the goal, my personal fundraising total, will be $13,975.36! And that is quite an AWESOME amount of money towards the cause.
• I know the funds that I raise make a DIFFERENCE.
• I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.
• I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers
• why not?!
• with YOUR help, I CAN.
  
  If you are able to make a donation, please do http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nikesf13/punchcancerintheface
  And if you can't, be sure to check back often to see my progress and how my training is going.
  
  Thanks for your continued SUPPORT!
  
  Many hugs!
  <3 Sam