This year, on Sunday, May 2nd, I will be running my 12th Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon.
Many who have supported me in the past know that I have run the last 11 marathons to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to help find a cure for blood-related cancers. This cause is still very near and dear to my heart. In October, 2008, news hit close to home when my son, Brandon Armbrust, was diagnosed with MS. It has now become my mission to help find a cure for both LLS and MS.
The Accelerated Cure Project for MS (ACP) has a local Cincinnati chapter that I recently joined in efforts to do what the name implies--accelerated cure! The basic mission of ACP is to find a cure through a systematic plan of research into the causes of MS--a "Cure Map". ACP's implementation of a MS Repository--projected to be the world's largest, shared collection of bio-samples ever assembled--is used in this research. To find out more about MS and ACP, please visit http://www.acceleratedcure.org/
For my new friends and cause supporters that have not received information on blood-related cancers, please visit http://www.lls.org/
Training has begun! Although you can train on your own for a marathon, running with others when mileage hits 10+ is much more pleasant AND motivating! I have run the past 11 "Pigs" with Team In Training--a fantastic organization! I joined a new training group called Miles That Matter (MTM), that allows runners to train for any charity, as well as multiple ones if you wish. Another great thing about MTM is that it was founded by my former Team In Training coach, Karen Cosgrove. To find out more about MTM, please visit http://www.milesthatmatter.com/
This year, my training and marathon run will honor Sondra Stewman (my Team In Training hero for the past 9 years), my son, Brandon Armbrust, and all those stricken with these diseases. I hope you will join in my efforts to help find a cure--no running required!
There are three ways to donate:
- To donate to the Accelerated Cure Project for MS, please visit www.firstgiving.com/billiemendoza and click "GIVE NOW"!
- To donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit http://milesthatmatter.com/donate-paypal.htm Fill in the four required fields and click "DONATE".
Note: you must type "Leukemia & Lymphoma Society" in the charity field since it is not in the drop-down menu.
- To donate to the Accelerated Cure Project and receive/give a beautiful gift in return, order the 2011 "Calendar for a Cause"! 100% of the proceeds benefit ACP for MS!http://r.b5z.net/i/u/10051336/i/ACP_Calendar_for_a_Cause_Order_form_2011.pdf
Make your pooch famous! You can have your dog featured in the calendar! A fantastic gift idea and a way to get some early shopping done!
Use the order form above. To view a sample of the calendar, please visit www.pawjoggers.com/calendar_for_a_cause
Donating through these websites is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Every dollar counts and your willingness to spread the word to others will help too!
I will be updating my ACP fundraising page with pictures and videos, so please check back often!
Many thanks for your support and God bless!
Billie Mendoza
