First, please read Call me Ismael.
The above linked may read at first like a fishing story, but it’s not. There’s a reality in it that’s not really mentioned in detail, but one word in the final paragraph gives you all you need to know about said unmentioned truth: cancer.
We’ve all known or had someone dear to us suffer from this debilitating and fatal disease. My Tia Amanda, whose eyes grace the header of this blog, herself died of leukemia. And, if you’ve witnessed this malady first hand, you all know the toll it takes on the afflicted, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Ive written here a few times of my Goddaughter Amanda and how proud I am of her and her accomplishments. Yet I have been remiss in writing about her sister, Maura, who in her own right is just as accomplished, just as beautiful and is an incredible source of pride just like her sister.
Maura is a teacher, she works with children with disabilities and is always – always – giving of herself for others. I know no one with a more loving heart or a more selfless soul.
Right now, Maura, despite her full time career working with less fortunate children and other responsibilities, is in training for the Leukemia and Lynphoma Team in Training Women’s Half Marathon:
I am training to participate in an endurance event, the Nike Women’s Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in San Francisco on October 21, 2007, as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.
I am dedicating my training efforts to:
* my uncle, Ismael Estrada, who is currently under going treatement for Cancer. (pictured)
*Lourdes Vega, my friend’s mom who was currently diagnosed with polycythemiavera (PCV).
*Gaby Gutierrez,my honored teammate, who was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 3. Gaby is currently in remission.
By completing this event, I am running for those who can’t, in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and I need your support to cross the ultimate finish line – a cure!
She needs your help to reach her goal. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to help her out.
Visit her donation page right here where you can pledge your support and see photos of my Padrino Ismael, and how the disease has affected him physically. As an incentive, for every donation of $20 dollars, I will send you a Babalu Eyes tshirt. Just email me with the confirmation and Ill send the tee out ASAP.
About ten years ago, I participated in the first annual Florida AIDS Ride, training for and riding bike from Orlando to South Beach in a three day event and I can tell you in no uncertain terms, there is no greater feeling than completing an event of this nature, where the training and event itself are incredibly grueling on your body, but where the knowledge that you did so for others is overwhelmingly inspiring and good for your soul.
Please, if you can spare a sawbuck or two, help Maura reach her donation goal.
Mil gracias, desde el corazon.