The First Hurdle is Behind Me

Whenever I take on something, it consumes me for a few days. Everything I think about, dream about, and talk about revolves around my new found adventure. Excitement and anxiety seem to go hand-in-hand during these times of immersion, and yesterday was no different. I was antsy yesterday afternoon. So, after sending my first (of many) fund raising emails, I went for a run in the snow.
As I ran, I started thinking about how much was between me and a half marathon. There is a lot of training, dozens of pounds to lose, miles to be run, aches and pains to be had; but, the hurdle that concerns me the most is fund raising. I know how difficult the economy is right now. Many of my friends and family have far less money than they are used to. How could I possibly ask them to give?
I reached the half way point of my run at the bottom of a very long hill. Carolyn (my Wife) and I ran this route a few weeks back and I had to walk the entire thing. This time I dug in and began to run up hill. It was difficult and I had to walk a few yards in the middle, but by the time I got to the top I had done something that was impossible for me a few weeks back. I got back to the house and realized that this run is much bigger than I first thought. The distance is secondary. My race is to help people who need something that is impossible now, a cure. The money that is raised as I train will fund a cure for a merciless killer. How could I NOT ask for donations? A cure may not come this week, or next, but it will come as long as there are people committed to finding it.
This morning, I looked at my donation's page before work and sighed. This is a big task. But when I got to work, two of my friends (whom I had emailed) told me that they wanted to donate. Another told me that our company would match--dollar for dollar--employee contributions. A good friend emailed me, asking how to help. But, most unexpected of all, a new friend, from across the globe, became the first to donate. There is NO WAY I can turn back now.

Please DONATE today.