anna runs again!

My friend Anna is running the Boston Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society again this year. Anna and I ran together many years ago when we were both studying abroad in Japan and then just a few years ago in the first Boston Marathon running endeavor. Now she has pledged to climb up Heartbreak Hill a third time to raise money for curing cancer. Please read her email, visit her page, and donate to this cause!

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February 14, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s Valentine’s Day and what better way to say “Yes, Anna, I will be your
valentine” than donating to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?!

Help me raise $3000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and support me as
I run my third Boston Marathon!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma,
Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients
and their families. The Society has dedicated itself to being one of the
top-rated voluntary health agencies in terms of dollars that directly fund
its mission. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest
voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research,
education and patient services. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has
invested more than $483 million for research specifically targeting blood
cancers. Can the 2007 Boston Marathon team of 150 runners raise another
million?

I am training to participate in the 2007 Boston Marathon as a member of The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training. I have made a commitment to
raise at least $3000 to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s mission. I
am running for the many individuals whose lives have been touched by blood
cancers. Close to my heart is Lawrence Meyer — the father of my good friend
Laura Meyer. Mr. Meyer passed away from leukemia when Laura was a child.
Laura inspired me to run my first endurance run, the Kyoto City Half
Marathon, and encouraged me to run my first Boston Marathon. She has always
wanted to run the Boston Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and
I hope one day we will be able to run it together.

Running with Team in Training in 2006 was one of the greatest honors I have
experienced. Although I finished last years Boston Marathon in A LOT of
pain, I am grateful for the experience to run for such an amazing cause. It
was fabulous to run (and at times hobble) the marathon course with people
cheering me on as a member of Team in Training. Running a marathon is not
easy for me and the support of everyone from those able to donate, send care
packages, suggest running music, and spectate make it a real team
accomplishment. Thank you so much to those who donated last year. I raised
over $3000 and hope to do the same this year! Words of encouragement are
ALWAYS appreciated. We’re up to 17 miles this Saturday with temperatures in
the single digits — brrr!!!

To Donate:

visit my donation website!

Thank you so much for your support!! There are many of you that may not be
able to donate, but I wanted to take this chance to give my best wishes and
let you know I am thinking of you!!
Sincerely,
Anna