I think the older I get the more I realize how fortunate I am to have the life I have. To wake up every day and just feel "good" is something I never want to take for granted. I realize there are hundreds of thousands of people in this world who would give anything to be in my shoes.

Six months ago I received a brochure from a special team of people called th e Leukemis & Lymphoma Society's TEAM IN TRAINING. They are dedicated to seeding a cure for Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Myeloma through fundraising volumnteers who walk or run a marathon or cycle a century ride. I thought "what a great cuase, too bad I can't run more than a mile," and I threw the brochure away.

Three months ago I received another brochure. I read more this time and found that Leukemia is the #1 cancer killer of children 1-14 and that blood related cancers affect more than 630,000 Americans. I still threw it away thinking it was not something I could EVER do.

About four weeks ago I received another brochure and this time I could not throw it away. I will spend the next 4 months under a comprehensive training program monitored by Team in Training certified coaches. By the end of my training I will have run over 600 miles in preparation for this event. I have a personal commitment to run in the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska on June 23, 2001 with Team in Training.

I have not only committed myself to running the 26.2-mile marathon, but I have a personal commitment of raising at least $4,500 in the next 2 months for LLS. These funds (all of which will stay in Michigan) will go towards cancer research, patient aid, public and professional education, family support groups and patient advocacy programs. Last year TNT raised $74 million nationally and $2.6 million for Michigan alone. I am asking your help in achieving my fundraising goal to participate as part of the TEAM IN TRAINING team. Your tax-deductible contribution will be gratefully accepted.

Whether you've been affected by these diseases or not, you can do something for someone who would plead to have the ability to do it for you. (And they probably wouldn't even know you.)

Thank you so much for your help and support on my behalf, my honored hero's behalf and all of those who have hope to win this battle! It is people like you who I can partner with and together we'll help make a difference.

Mary Gamble