Tri for a Cure

Hello,

I have never done anything like this, so please excuse me if I ramble and bumble along as I try.

I have always felt very lucky to never have had cancer affect my life. I saw ads, heard heartbreaking stories, but of all the affliction life brings us, cancer never seemed to be one of them. I was wrong.

In the spring of 2008 my cousin, Leigh, was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer and told she would only have three months. With two children under 5, she refused to accept her prognosis and fought to enroll in a clinical trial at MD Andersen in Houston, the same center that treated Lance Armstrong.

It wasn’t easy. A portacath was installed in her chest as the chemo was too powerful for her arm veins. In the first two weeks of treatment she lost 12 pounds, most of her hair and her voice. Exhaustion, nausea and infection were ever-present. Still, she fought on.

Despite early success with the trial and other subsequent protocols, Leigh lost her battle with cancer this past September. Due to the ongoing research on cancer treatment Leigh was able to give another year-and-a-half to her children. During her battle I was able to visit with her and her family, and I and saw tremendous support from her family, friends, doctors, nurses, and hospice staff. I was touched by the kindness, knowledge and compassion she received from everyone on her treatment team.

It is thoughts of Leigh and her family that prompted me to sign up for Tri for a Cure, a triathlon in Maine that is devoted to raising money for cancer research and treatment. The minimum fundraising goal for each athlete is $250, but since Leigh fought far beyond any minimum, I am aiming to raise $1000. Please consider making a donation to cancer research and treatment using the link below. If everyone gave just $10 I would reach my goal, and hopefully others like Leigh will be given a chance.

Link to donate

Thank you for your time.

Sarah