Hi Everyone!

On the 26th of April, I will once again run the London Marathon in support of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), whose mission it is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. As most of you know, I ran it last year and raised just shy of £12,000, placing me again in the TOP 1% of the JustGiving fundraisers for 2014. This will be my fourth time to run London and altogether my sixth marathon.

My story is a simple one. From quite an early age, I loved running. In fact, my parents say I never crawled, but instead went straight to a fast trot, similar to someone else we know (hint: initials ‘LB'). I wonder how many pair of running shoes I’ve been through in my life! And boy do I have some funny memories. My first running shoes were not even running shoes…and this will date me…they were KEDS. I was reminded the other day of when I was a senior in college, travelling to the Orange Bowl with a group of students representing the University of Oklahoma. I was excited beyond words, but mainly thrilled to run on the beach in Miami. In all the excitement, I forgot my running shoes. How did this happen! As it turns out, I borrowed shoes from an OU staff member’s wife, who to this day won’t let me forget it. J I guess her shoes fit me, or thereabouts…I don’t really remember. There was last year, when we went to India in February, and I did the same thing…forgot my shoes. Luckily, this time I had a good beach to run barefoot on, even if I did have to dodge a few large dead snakes. I remember growing up, and our Labrador Retrievers constantly mistook my shoes for bones. You’ll see from the photos, my little sidekick also enjoys my running shoes. In fact, he’s offered to be my first donor with his whole week's allowance. J

We all have such stories, but mine is about the love of running. And most importantly, it is about believing in the cause I’m running for, Cancer Research. Once again, I am braving the UK’s cold winter this year (we’ve even had snow), running for all those who have been touched by cancer, those who are suffering now, and those survivors. As a doctor involved in medical research said to me when asked if he believes in research, ‘Without it, what hope do we have!’ I do believe that every bit helps and that one day there will be a cure.

My personal goal this year is to raise £14,000, even though my commitment to ICR is to raise £2,000. Cancer research is a cause from which most of us will benefit in one form or another over our lifetimes, and the ICR is totally dependent on generous donations from supporters. (In addition to individual donations, it is possible for a person or company to match funds. If you're interested, please let me know). There could never be more generous individuals than you who have supported this viable cause during my past runs, and I continue to thank you. 

Please take a moment to sponsor me. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit or debit card at the following address:

https://www.justgiving.com/Lynn-Frieda2/

Also, if you'd like to sponsor me in memory of someone, or as a living tribute, please make a note in the 'Leave A Message' box, and I will put their name/s on my t-shirt and run for them too! I still have my fabric with all the names from last year sitting by my computer. They are a constant reminder to me of how fragile life is, and how important it is to fight cancer.

As my dear friend in Colorado said on the morning of the 2014 race, ‘May you run on the wings of Angels.’ These are the Angels who will push me across the finish line.

All donations are secure and sent electronically to the Institute of Cancer Research.  If you are a UK taxpayer, JustGiving will add an automatic 25% Gift Aid bonus to your donation at no cost to you.  And if you're a US taxpayer (and hopefully this applies to other countries as well), your donation should be tax deductible.

If you have any technical problems, please let me know (sometimes there are browser issues and the browser just needs to be reset), or call Just Giving on (+44) 345 078 2063.

Please join me in supporting the Institute of Cancer Research! 

Thank you all so much! And as always, no pressure.

Lynn

https://www.justgiving.com/Lynn-Frieda2/

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  Winston Churchill