Princesses & Sunday's Event

Have you been wondering about an update on our new honored hero Nory? Well I am pleased to say that her Mom started a blog...it is called Princesses Get Cancer Too.

I know it seems strange that I would be excited that Jennifer (her mom) started a blog due to her diagnosis but when these children are diagnosed and we get to know them they become part of us (and our team) and I like to stay as up-to-date as I can.

When I have a not-so-good training day or just don't feel like getting out of bed at 4:30am to go spin or run...I think about what these children have to endure during their 3+ years of treatment. All the pokes, hospital stays, upset tummies and so much more...and all they want to do is go to school or be outside with their friends. Furthermore, I think about the sleepless nights their parents (our friends) have wondering what tomorrow will bring and praying that their child regains a life full of good health and happiness.

But what makes me smile most are photos like the one of Nory above...photos of our honored heroes being just like any other child...smiling, giggling and having a good time at home!

Sunday brings our spring TNT season event...Dallas Rock & Roll HALF. Race week always brings some new ache or pain and mine right now is my right calf so we shall see how it feels this weekend. But what I know is that I will finish the event with a smile on my face and joy in my heart...calf pain or not...because it is for Team in Training.

There will be a sea of purple jerseys from around Texas and surrounding states who have all fundraised for LLS/TNT. There will also be a group of GFORCE runners supporting Grayson and his family...Kalee & Lance (Grayson's parents) will be among those running in his honor and if all goes well Grayson will be at the finish line cheering them in! Sunday isn't even here and I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. These events mean so much to the participants and our honored heroes and their families.

I can't wait to see all my teammates and GForce runners cross the finish line! GO TEAM!

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Prayers for Nory

Meet Nory Mae...I first heard about Nory on February 15 from a friend, Berkley. Berkley mentioned Nory at dinner as she is friends with the parents (they are from the area) and that the doctors couldn't determine what was wrong with her...she is only 2 years old.

The next morning Berkley posted on Facebook that Nory was diagnosed with CML (Chronic myelogenous leukemia). A type of leukemia that is normally seen in older adult males. My heart went out to her family and I just couldn't believe that another child was going to have to battle cancer. The good news was that CML is treatable long term (in most cases you can live with it) as in your take chemo at certain times the rest of your life. Seems strange you can live with cancer but the more I find out about blood cancers the more I see this.

However, 2 days later Nory's parents received more news...and news they weren't hoping for. The oncologists believe that she has an underlying issue called MDS that caused the CML. But with this condition the leukemia will eventually become AML (Acute myelogenous leukemia) and the best cure for many patients with AML is a bone marrow transplant...so the search for a bone marrow match began.

I immediately reached out to the family to help and Nory's parents asked (if needed) would I help with a bone marrow drive. Our Triathlon mentor, Bill, jumped on board too. He is a survivor himself and has CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and contacted the necessary parties to get things moving.

BUT...it just so happens that one of Nory's brother's is a MATCH! This is incredible news and a true gift from God. The study I read states there is about a 35% chance that siblings are a match.

As of today, that is all I know. I follow her story and all the updates on their FB page. Bill (our mentor) and I hope that we will meet them soon and have included Nory in our honored heros. Bill has dedicated his training this season to Nory!

I know (like most of you) that no parent EVER wants to hear the words "Your child has cancer" but I believe that something good comes can come from this and that is the friends, family and even strangers that surround that family when they are most in need. I believe that is God...holding that child and family as close to him as possible and showing them the vast network of individuals that will help them get through this journey.

So what am I asking?

• First and foremost I'm asking that you add Nory Mae and her family to your prayer list.
• Second consider becoming a donor for Be the Match.
• Third if you are able please make a small donation to our fundraising efforts in honor of Nory and her journey to becoming cancer-free.

If you'd like more information on blood cancers and current statistics please download Facts 2012 published by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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