I've joined Team in Training in memory of my brother.

[Ellen Forradalom]

I lost my brother 18 years ago to leukemia. Since then I have wanted to do something in his honor, but the time was not right--I was not well, I had too much going on, I was not ready yet. This year I am in good physical & psychological shape, so I've decided to run a marathon to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I've trained with TnT over the winter and swam since September to prepare. Now as a group we are preparing to run the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon. Ventura County TnT is a super nice group of folks and I'm enjoying myself immensely. I have to say, so far the most tiring thing I've done is to prepare a hundred fundraising letters!

Below is an except from my letter:

Charles was a talented and charming young man who left us after a ten-month battle with leukemia on January 1,1990. At 31, he had already accomplished a great deal. He was both a skilled musical performer--playing piano, fiddle, guitar and mandolin on the streets, in clubs, in bands, for improv comedy and stage productions--and an imaginative composer for theater. His credits included Shakespeare’s ‘Titus Andronicus,’ Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Edward II’ and ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle,’ and ‘Diggory’s Rag and Other Tales,’ based upon stories by Annabelle Thomas. His work won him Joseph Jefferson Awards, Chicago’s Tonys, in 1987 and 1988.

He enriched our lives with his audacious wit, lively intellect and boundless energy. He was a loyal friend, doting brother, and a wise-cracking pain in the neck. In the face of illness, he showed great courage He is sorely missed.

I'll have the link to my TnT fundraising page in my sigline for the next few months. Whatever is donated through this page goes directly to them, not into a secret Swiss bank account, and supports patients and research. If Fortune favors you in the coming months, please consider sharing a bit.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/zrusilla

Thanks for reading my pitch. If there's interest, I'll keep you updated on my training progress.

[darkstar]

1. Well you know I think you rock

for doing this. And the whole nature of the effort and your written piece is cool. I'm not familiar w/ the group sponsoring, but they rock to.

So why am I not surprised to find out it's a rock n roll race? Is that one of those w/ bands every so often rockin' ya on?

:yay:

[Ellen Forradalom]

4. Yep. Bands playing at every mile

Appropriately enough for a musician.

Thanks for your support!

[PeaceNikki]

2. That's a beautiful tribute to your brother!

I am sure he'd be very touched by your words and actions.

It's a worthy cause and I wish you the best!

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. Thanks Nikki

I'm sure he would too, though frankly I think he'd have preferred if someone else were the honoree :-/

[DarkTirade]

3. K&R.

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. Thank you

[Shine]

7. Good for you, Ellen

:yourock:
Your brother Charles sounded like an amazing guy. How wonderful that you are doing this in his memory. May your generosity be returned to you, a thousand-fold. :hug:

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. Oh, he was, all right.

You don't know the half of it. Imagine the bastard child of Groucho Marx and John Lennon with a bit of Jerry Garcia thrown in.

[Mike03]

8. Please keep us up to date

This is exactly what I need to snap me out of my depression about my dad and his blood cancer.

I used to be a long distance runner, and it would be so nice to get back into that and do some good for some good cause.

Thank you for posting this. I will bookmark this post and follow up as best I can.

Thank you!!!

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. Oh my word.

If you want me to write his name on my jersey when I run, I would be glad to do so.

My very best to you and your dad. It's a scary thing. Treatments have improved so much, though; I hope one is just right for him.

[av8rdave]

9. What a great way to honor and remember him

You are awesome!

[Ellen Forradalom]

13. Thank you.

Let's save the accolades until I cross the finish line :-)

[ChazII]

10. Way Cool!

I help at a water table at mile 20 each year at the Phx RnR marathon. I cheer especially loud and hard for Team in Training and the NF Marathon team. So many folks and they are running for a cure. You have my admiration and respect. Thank you!

[Ellen Forradalom]

14. Another Chaz!

That's what we called my brother.

Thanks for volunteering at the water stops! Such an important job.

[Ellen Forradalom]

15. Self-kick

Because I'm shameless that way.

[ChazII]

16. Not shameless at all.

If more folks would donate think of how much sooner a cure could be found. In the Phx. marathon I see so many purple siglets (sp). Team in Training has so many peple running for loved ones. The great thing is that the teams come from all over the United States to run for a loved one. Again, best of luck to you. Yes, I am Chaz but I am a girl. :D

[Ellen Forradalom]

17. In that case,

I'll do it again. :-)

[applegrove]

18. To your brother!

:toast:

[Ellen Forradalom]

19. To a man who loved his beer so much

That when I had 2 cases left over after a party I saw him every night until it was all gone. How thoughtful of him to take it off my hands.

[Midlodemocrat]

20. Wow. I'm sorry for your loss, but what a great way to remember your brother.

I will definitely donate to that. Bookmarked.


:thumbsup:

:yourock:

[Ellen Forradalom]

21. Thanks Midlo!

It took this long to get comfortable with the idea. Even now, it's stirring the pot a bit.