Austin Race for the Cure®

My dear friend Katy is raising funds for the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation Austin Affiliate by participating with "Team Tatas" in the Austin Race for the Cure®

Here's a word from Katy:

As many of you know, breast cancer research hits really close to home for me, as I am surrounded by survivors in my family: My mother, her sister (my aunt), and my eldest sister are all survivors of this disease. In all, we consider ourselves to be blessed, but it does not mean that our future as a family - and as a community - will not reveal many more instances of this deadly disease.

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Komen Austin Race for the Cure® on November 4th in the fight against breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more we raise, the more Susan G. Komen for the Cure Austin Affiliate can give back to fund vital breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community and support the national search for a cure.

Please join me in the fight by contributing generously to the Komen Austin Affiliate. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties and national breast cancer research. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support in the fight against breast cancer! Every step counts!

Komen Austin
P.O. Box 2164
Austin, TX 78768

Please include your information as well as the particpant you are supporting.

Or, donate online here.

Team in Training (TNT) turns 20

From a recent announcement about commemorating TNT's 20th year:

In 2008, Team In Training (TNT), the world’s largest sports endurance training program, will celebrate it’s twentieth year of saving lives, one mile at a time. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s TNT provides coaching and support for people to cross the finish line at marathons, cycling and triathlon events. Participants raise funds as they train.

TNT participants say that changing your life, making lasting friendships with teammates and impacting the lives of thousands of blood cancer patients is what makes the experience so rewarding.

This participant thinks that sums it up quite nicely.

Why we do this - Jordan's story continues

Jordan Deathe is the Honored Hero for our North Texas team.

He's got t-cell lymphoma. He just turned 22. He's already completed an event with TNT. He's been back in the hospital these past few months and this week he will undergo a bone marrow transplant.

He found a perfect bone marrow match. Jordan and his doctors are very hopeful.

Jordan shares his story via this Web site provided by Caring Bridge; he and his family keep a regularly updated journal of Jordan's progress and status.

I've met Jordan just once at our Summer Team kick-off, just prior to his cancer returning in this current relapse. He's a regular guy. As his writing attests he's also quite extraordinary. Take a few minutes to meet Jordan and consider offering a few words of support. He asks that everyone sign his guest book. It's not too much to ask, don't you think?

Ironman Hawaii - McCormack & Wellington top finishers

I'm just reading today's results of the IronMan Hawaii.

"You have to believe you can win." said McCormack in a pre-race interview. He gave a Aussie-style straight-up assessment of this past years rivalry between himself and the Germans, in particular Faris Al Sultan.

Last year's champion Normann Stadler and Al Sultan dropped out of the race with various ailments. New Zealand's Cameron Brown pulled out during the bike leg with complications from stomach virus.

Of the remaining men's field, McCormack took the prize.

Of the woman's field, Chrissie Wellington, a newcomer of sorts came in first.