UPDATE!! January 11, 2011
Wow I cannot believe we are just 5 days away from this crazy adventure. Am I really going to attempt to propel myself 26.2 miles using just my skinny legs and a lot of luck. The answer is yes, because of the endless motivation your incredible generosity to PCH has given me on a daily basis. Throw in those smiling PCH kids and what else would I need.
May God bless all of you and perhaps a little blessing for Old #5680 (that's me on Sunday).
Thanks
BFR
We’re back!!!!
After running my first half marathon last year, I’ve decided to up the ante this year and run the full 26.2 miles in January 2011. Some might say I’ve become addicted to the marathon experience, running, and the thrill of training for a goal and the accomplishment felt at the finish. I ran the half marathon in (1hour 53 minutes) and was very happy with my finish time.
The truth of the matter is, it was such a life changing experience for me that I felt compelled to continue to do all that I can in an effort really make a difference in a child’s life. I’m most proud of the $7,000 we raised last year for Phoenix Children’s Hospital in honor of my special friend/patient Marley McLaughlin and I am extremely honored and feel blessed that Marley and her wonderful family have agreed to partner with me again this year.
If you supported me last year in this effort, you know that I chose PCH because my daughter Peri was a patient of Dr. David Shafron( a PCH pediatric neurosurgeon), for several years. We always felt we were in the best hands at PCH and were grateful that the hospital existed and we were so blessed and fortunate with her outcome that we want to pay it forward in whatever fashion we can.
We spent this past Saturday evening again with the McLaughlins at the Miracles in Motion kick-off party for the Runners and the Honor Patients. It is an awesome event. Seeing the smiling, laughing and energetic Marley (who will turn 5 years old later in September) I would never have know the traumatic ordeal she and her family went through just three short years ago. Marley’s story and the stories of the other honor patients in that room that night are a constant reminder to me of how precious every day is and serves as the inspiration for me to run and raise awareness and funds on those days I would rather just sleep .
The following is Marley’s story as told by her parents Holly and Pat:
In Oct 2007 Marley was only 2 and was complaining about a “neck owie”. After a bunch of tests that showed nothing they decided to do an MRI on her neck which came back negative. Her anesthesiologist Dr. Maze said he has been doing this too long and wanted to get our permission to scan her brain and spine. The MRI came back and showed a grapefruit size tumor sitting on her brain stem. She was rushed into surgery the next day which was Halloween. The surgery was almost 11 hours long and Dr. Shafron did an amazing job. The pathology came back that it was cancer and a bad form of cancer. Marley survived the surgery and the next day her team came running into the ICU and stated they think they were able to get 100% of the tumor, which does not happen often. She spent almost 3 weeks in the ICU then another 4.5 on the oncology floor which was a touch place to be. Her type of cancer would not react to chemo so they suggested a course of targeted radiation. She got out of the hospital and then went back every morning at 5am for 6.5 weeks to be put under and to have radiation. She has MRI’s every 3 months and is approaching her 3 year anniversary of her surgery. She is cancer free and has no major lasting effects from the surgery. We are so blessed that we experienced an actual miracle on earth. Today Marley is getting ready to start her last year in preschool where she is doing great. She spends her time shopping and playing fashion. She is already in the process of deciding what her Make-a-Wish is going to be.
Wouldn’t it be great if we did not have a need for Phoenix Children’s Hospital?
Please consider these children when deciding whether or not to give. Please do it for Marley and all others that share a similar story.
I’d like to take a minute to give a shout out to Marley – Happy 5th Birthday this month! I’ll be looking for you at the finish line!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and consider donating to such a deserving and critically needed organization. I also ask that you forward this to anyone you know who might have an interest in our story and cause.
May you all be blessed with a Miracle in your life!!!!!!
With heartfelt gratitude,
BFR
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. However, if you prefer to donate via check or cash please let me know and I will gladly make arrangements to pick them up to save you time and postage.