Two years ago, I felt the pull to run a race for something other than my personal satisfaction.  Something that had the potential to make a difference in the lives of others. A dear friend asked and I joyfully accepted the invitation to run the LA Marathon 2016 as part of a team representing Teen Cancer America (TCA). I was simply blown away by the generosity and support of my family and friends.

The enthusiasm and soul of TCA left a lasting impression. Last year I ran the first half of the LA 2017 marathon as part of a two-person charity
relay a TCA team member. The distance may have been just half of the 26.2 mile journey, but I ran with twice the passion.  My racing spirit waned over this past year, but it took just minutes to decide to once again lace up my running shoes and join the TCA team and run the charity half as part of LA Marathon 2018.  This time I’m not only running, but also taking an active volunteer role in helping organize and inspire a team of runners for the 5K, charity half and marathon.

I’ll tell you why this organization captured my running heart. Anyone who has raised a teen or who has spent any amount of time with a teen surely understands, that under the best of circumstances, they are going through a period of transition from kid to adult, and have very special emotional, physical and medical needs. Teens are not big kids nor are they small adults. Teens who have been diagnosed with cancer bring with them unique, unmet needs.

Teen Cancer America is an organization that works towards developing specialized care for teens by providing services that are age-targeted to young people between the ages of 13 and 25. These special
services not only are designed to meet the unique challenges of this age group, but aim to improve outcomes and survival. TCA does this and so much more.

I ask you to please consider supporting my half of the 26.2 mile journey from Dodger Stadium to the Sea in 2018 by contributing to TCA. Any amount will make a huge difference in the life of a teen facing cancer.