Dear Friends,

Every once in a while I feel the urge to throw myself into uncharted territory to see how I will come out the other side. Because there is usually some element of fear surrounding this process, I don’t always enjoy the beginning. However, it’s a great learning opportunity, which upon completion leaves me feeling invigorated, expanded, and inspired for the next adventure. I had been feeling that gnawing need for a new focus for some time, so when my friend Karen asked if I wanted to join her in running a marathon, I instantly knew what my next personal challenge would be.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of picking what his or her next personal challenge will be. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It randomly selects its next contestant and forces them to fight for their life.

This is why I have chosen to raise funds and train for the Honolulu Marathon with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training. As the largest endurance training program in the U.S., Team In Training provides participants with coaching and training expertise in exchange for raising money towards finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma. The money raised not only funds research, but it provides financial assistance to patients and their families, produces educational materials and videos, sponsors scientific conferences around the country, and runs dozens of Family Support Groups nationwide.

My marathon will be on December 11, 2011, and I am asking for your help in reaching my fundraising goal of $3200. Your donation will make a difference in someone’s life. No amount is too small, every dollar makes a difference, and all donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Please click on this link to go directly to my peal rsonfundraising page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/honolulu11/dcetorelli

If you would rather send a check, please email me and I will be more than happy to give you my address.

Thank you so much for your generous support!

With Love and Gratitude, Donna

P.S. Perhaps you would like to join me in Honolulu and run the marathon yourself?
If so – fantastic – I will look forward to seeing you! Can’t make it to Honolulu, but you are interested in other Team In Training Events? Visit their website at teamintraining.org - they offer training all over the country – for marathons, cycling, triathlons, and iron man events – go check it out!