Over the last few years many of you have heard me talk about Abby Furco, the daughter of my friend Patty. Abby has fought cancer for much of her life. She has also beat the odds! This past July she was sent home from the hospital and given 48-72 hours to live. That was July 2016, today she is not only still alive but she is living at home, walking on her own, going to school, going to Girl Scouts, and doing many other things that healthy 10 year old children should be doing. We don't know exactly why she's beaten the odds. Call it a miracle or a mystery, a blessing or luck. Whatever it is, it sure is pretty great!
We do know, however, that part of what has saved her life is the on-going research being done to come up with new medicines. St. Baldrick's Foundation helps fund the research, the doctors and scientists, the studies, and the hospitals, among other things. Last year, Abby was named a St. Baldrick's Ambassador.
For the second year in a row, I am signed up to run the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles) in DC this March. I love the way running makes me feel but as I build up my mileage I hit spots on my runs where my body hurts and I just don't want to give any more. Then I think of Abby. She has hurt far more than I can ever imagine. And she has never given up. Thinking of Abby often gets me to whatever finish line I have set for myself.
I've decided to raise money for St. Baldrick's in honor of Abby. My goal is only $200. I know that we are all stretched thin these days with so many good charitable causes to support. So I'm not asking for much. And if I get past the $200 mark, all the better! I'm sure I can raise more than $200, I just don't know how much - surprise me!
Here's why I've chosen $200:
It's my 2nd race of this distance
I have 2 healthy children
This month marks Abby's 2nd anniversary of her bone marrow transplant!!!
Life is just 2 precious to just sit and do nothing.
Help me raise $500 and I'll send out a list of FIVE things for which to run!
For those of you that pray, please keep praying for Abby's complete healing (she continues to fight complications from her bone marrow transplant). If you don't pray, please just remember Abby and send good thoughts her way.
