because i can

I have just signed up for my 3rd half marathon. You might ask...

• What’s different this time? I’m going to actually train and I’ve joined a new team, Team in Training.

• What’s changed since last time? I’m having my first Crohn’s fare-up in 10 years and began treatment in November; I now have an enlarged Aorta due to my congenital heart disease.

• Why am I doing this? Because I still can. I can train, I can cross the finish line, I can go 13.1 miles.

• Who am I doing this for? I’m doing this for all the children and adults fighting, living with and those who lost their lives to Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers.
  

I work at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. I’m super lucky to have a job that allows me to help hundreds and thousands of kids and their families everyday. I meet tons of sick kids and learn about their fight, determination and compassionate spirits. I’m amazed by all of them; all strong, all heroes. But some days you meet that one family, hear about that one kid that just gets you. Keeps you up at night, brings you to tears in the middle of a meeting, makes you think and dream of all the things you wish you could do to make it better.

I’m not a doctor, I’m not a nurse, I’m a fundraiser. I can’t make it better by diagnosing diseases and researching treatment options, I can’t provide care and comfort them and their families. I can however, raise money to help all of those things happen.

I have decided to step out of the shadow of my own health worries and do something for someone else while I still can! I am “teaming up” with Team in Training to raise money for and honor my fighting hero Brent Karasick.