Many of you may know I'm going to run the Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 3, 2007.

 

I want to thank all of you that have supported my efforts thus far to raise $3000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I am 70% finished and I need to collect only $1000 more to complete my goal.

 

My Training has been quite challenging but Today, March 31, 2007 I completed 10 Miles at Harbor Bay Ferry in Alameda and just 2 weeks ago I completed the Emerald Nuts 12K across the Bay (7.4 miles) across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco (see Photo Above)

 

I am sticking with my training and I am looking forward to achieving several new Milestones along the way. I'm getting stronger and in better shape and I am hoping to get stronger as we move into bigger double digits.   26.2 miles is a long way to go  I mean, really really long!

 

So check out my training photo page and then you can check out my website where you can go and refer your friends to help this very worthy cause.

 

 

 

Read more to learn why I have decided to do this....

 

 So, am I crazy?  Well yes, but a couple of very sane reasons are driving my decision to run:

 

The first is that many of you know that I have taken on the rewards and the challenges of being a teacher of Mathematics at San Lorenzo High School. In addition, I started a The Ever Forward Club as a support group for youth who have dreams and goals but do not have friends or support systems to help them achieve those goals. During the past 4 years I have dedicated a major part of my time and energy to helping today’s youth realize their amazing strength and power. And in that time I have not taken the same dedication and motivation when it comes to taking care of myself. This marathon is partly for me.

 

Also, several years ago  a friend of mine from Cal Poly, Derrick Cleveland, ended his battle with leukemia. His sister ran a marathon in his honor and I have decided that this, my first marathon, I will also run in honor of Derrick a real cool and laid back guy and for all the other survivors and fighters that battle this disease every day. Learning about Derrick's battle with Leukemia during his high school years made one very important thing clear to me:  you can never take anything for granted.  Your life can change on the drop of a dime; it's important to seize the opportunity to make a difference when you can.

 

Through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program, I will not just be running for myself, but in support of an organization that is dedicated to curing lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improving the lives of patients and their families.  In exchange for fundraising, the Society will help me train for the race, provide coaching and medical guidance, and will put me together with other runners of similar skills.

 

So here I am, seizing my opportunity.  My goals are two-fold:  one, to cross the finish line of the Rock & Roll Marathon on June 3, 2007 (even if I have to crawl to do it!); and two, to raise $3000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by April 25, 2007.  I'm hoping you will be able to help me with both of these goals.  Your encouragement and positive reinforcement (i.e., "You ran HOW MANY miles today?!  FABULOUS!!!) will go an incredibly long way in helping me complete this marathon.  Your financial support will not only help save the lives of those afflicted with blood-related cancers, but make their lives more comfortable and manageable while they are fighting - and winning against - the disease.  Consider also that many of the strides that are made toward curing blood-related cancers translate into making a difference in fighting all types of cancers.

 

Finally, if you know someone who has been afflicted with a blood-related cancer, I would love to run in their honor as well.  Please let me know their name(s) and I will be sure to wear a bracelet for them on race day.

 

 

                    Ever Forward,

                       Ashanti Branch

 

You can learn more about my efforts and make a donation by visiting the following Web site:

 

 

 

 

P.S. Please forward this email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well!