Dear friends and supporters,

I’m training to run a marathon in Lincoln, Neb. in May as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. All of us on Team in Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, but I am running especially in honor of Julia Grace Watson.

Julia was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 2007 when she was only 11 months old. What her parents and pediatrician initially thought was just a cold turned out to be cancer. Julia underwent a course of treatment that involved steroids and chemotherapy for the next two years.  

Today Julia is a happy, healthy and vibrant 3-year-old. On my long, cold morning runs Julia’s fighting spirit and smiling face are my inspiration to continue. I’m Running to Keep Hope Alive.

Last year I completed my first half marathon in San Diego as a member of Team in Training and with the support of many generous friends, family and even strangers, I raised more than $4,400 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was such a wonderful experience that I’m back for more this year. I’m mentoring a group of Team in Training athletes and I’m  running twice the distance of last year. I’ve been training since December to run my 26.2-mile race. I will run 450 miles before race day, and my mission to help cure blood cancers is on my mind every step of the way.

I have committed to raising $1,800 that will support LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. All donations are 100% tax deductible and will go directly to support cancer research and patient services. 

You can track my progress or donate online at my Team In Training page. Thank you so much for your support. Together we can make a difference!

I’ll leave you with Julia’s mother’s favorite quote:  
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt.

Won’t you join me in helping to ensure that Julia, her family and other cancer patients and survivors know that they are getting the best care and support available in order to help eliminate some of the fear and uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis?

Sincerely,
Stefanie Monge