I am not really a runner, so why am I running my first Half Marathon? Well, it is really a matter of timing.
1- I am always looking for new and exciting ways to raise awareness and funds for Huntington's Disease. Huntington's Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is no cure at this time. Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families throughout our community. Early symptoms of Huntington's Disease include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, clumsiness, aggressive outbursts, involuntary twitching and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, concentration and short-term memory diminish and involuntary movements of the head, trunk and limbs increase. Walking, speaking and swallowing abilities deteriorate. Eventually the person is unable to care for him or herself. HD affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries. Each child of a person with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease. There is a genetic test which can accurately determine whether a person carries the HD gene. The test cannot predict when symptoms will begin. In the absence of a cure, some individuals "at risk" elect not to take the test.
For more information about HD, please go to www.hdsa.org or www.hdsa.org/louisiana.
2- 49>1! Did you know that Louisiana is ranked the 49th healthiest state!? Let's get active Louisiana! Let's come together and make some positive changes for our state and be an example to others!
3- The first Louisiana Marathon! I am so excited that the marathon has come to our state. Thank you to those who are organizing it and inviting charities to get involved. We live in a great state and I am so excited to be part of this inaugural event!
4- I will be 40 year old/young next year! There is no better time to make this commitment!
Is this the right timing for you? If so, please join my team! Or you can still be a part of it by sponsoring me and donating to this fundraising site! How about $13? That is the total number of miles I will be running. Of course more is welcome, but every bit helps and no amount is too small!
If you would like to register for the marathon on behalf of Huntington's disease, please go to www.thelouisianamarathon.com. Use "TEAMHOPE" as the discount code. This will give you a discount on your registration and also the marathon will donate 15% of your registration fee to HDSA. You can join my team, Strides for Hope, or you can create your own.
For more about my story, please continue reading!
It all started about 2 years ago in approximately May of 2009. My sister (who is my best friend ever) called me to say that she was going to be training for a marathon in Minneapolis, MN to raise funds for a charity that is near and dear to her heart, Scholarships for Africa University in Zimbabwe. I thought it was really funny because my sister does not like to exercise, especially running! But she figured out a way to race-walk her way through a full marathon in October 2009, just after her 40th birthday. I was really proud of her.
At the same time, I was getting involved with a charity that is near and dear to my heart, Huntington’s Disease Society of America. While my sister was training for her marathon, I was working hard as the Walk Chairperson for the First Louisiana Team Hope Walk for HD. Our one mile walk for hope was in October 2009 and was a great success. This has become an annual event which was successful in October 2010 and 2011. In addition to that, I have become the Chairperson for our brand new affiliate with HDSA!
To add to my story, over the last several years I have been working very closely with my son who has ADHD. He had been taking medication and as he was getting older and has more of a say in his choices, he decided he did not like taking medication. As we did research, we decided to take the dietary approach and began eating a very healthy diet; eating a lot more fresh foods; eliminating additives, preservatives, artificial coloring, high fructose corn syrup, and partially hydrogenated oils in food (to name a few); and avoiding sugar, dairy, and pork. Yep, you name it and we were watching for it. We spend a lot of time reading food labels in my house. That helped a lot and so it evolved into a very healthy approach for our whole family. We have noticed a big difference. It can be challenging though because there are so many unhealthy choices out there! You might ask “what does that have to do with your story?” Well, I am getting to that!
In August, I received a call from a new friend who invited me to be part of the very first Louisiana Marathon. She mentioned that they were inviting charities and had heard about HDSA and my involvement. I went to a meeting about it and while at the meeting was reminded that Louisiana has recently been named the 49th healthiest state! Isn’t that pathetic? We are one away from being most unhealthy state in the United States.
So, it was all coming together; HDSA and my passion for good health. Not to mention my love for volunteering and my love for my state and community! Add to that the fact that I am turning 40 next year and want to do something grand like my sister did, and that is why I am involved and excited! I am just not crazy so I think for this year I will stick to the half marathon. Who knows what the future will hold though!
So, I am asking for your help. Those that know me know that I have two children and a fantastic husband who keep me very busy, a full time job that keeps me busy, and in addition to HDSA, I also have volunteer projects at my children’s schools and at church that also keep me busy. I am not sure how much training time I will have, so I need motivation from my friends and family! There are several ways you can sponsor me. You can pay $10 to sponsor one of my miles. Or you can buy a body part for $20. I am selling arms and legs! You pay $20 and I will write your name in BIG BLACK SHARPIE so that you can cross the finish line with me. Ok, you say you want to do even more than that? Well, for $50, I am selling gestures or dances, your choice. At each mile marker, I will stop and do your requested gesture or dance, as long as it is not offensive to anyone, and as long as it is not too long so I can get back on track! Have I really inspired you? Well, join my team and help raise funds for a great cause! You can choose to do the ½ marathon with me, or the full marathon, or there is also a 5K and Team Relays. Even the kids can get involved with the Rocketkidz Marathon. This race is no different from our past walks and fundraisers in that I want it to be fun! For you, for me, and for those benefiting from the efforts! Thank you in advance for your support!
I know I am getting a little lengthy, but for those of you that would like to know why I am involved with Huntington’s Disease, please continue reading! One of my best friends, Cathy Paterson, has HD. Cathy and I met when we were 5 years old. We attended elementary school, middle school and high school together. She was in my wedding, and we have remained close throughout the years. Cathy was in high school when her father was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease. I remember her dad's disease progressing to the point where he could no longer take care of himself and had to be moved to a nursing home. I remember when he eventually passed away when Cathy was 29 years old. In the meantime, Cathy was dealing with the emotional stress of what her father's disease meant for her. Huntington's Disease is a genetic neurological disorder. Each child of a person with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease. When Cathy was 26, she decided to get tested to see if she had "the gene". She did. Cathy's sister, Anne, also has the gene. Anne actually started developing symptoms in her 20's. She went to live in a nursing home at the age of 33 years old. Just this year, on April 30th, Anne passed away from the affects of Huntington’s Disease. Cathy's symptoms have not been as severe, but she suffers from watching her sister and knowing what her future could possibly hold. There is no cure for HD… YET!!! Cathy's mom, Karen, has been working tirelessly for years to be there for her daughters and to fight this disease. She has been working closely with one of the pharmaceutical companies as an Ambassador. We have started a local support group and we are continuing to do the TEAM HOPE Walk each year in October. This marathon is another way that we can advocate for HD and raise funds toward support and the research needed for a cure.
Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Wow! You made it all the way through my story! Congratulations! My sincere thanks for taking the time to read about Huntington's disease, the Louisiana Marathon, and my personal journey. Please pray for those suffering and for a cure to this terrible disease.
Peace and Blessings,
Beth LaCour