Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the 2010 UVM College of Medicine Marathon Team to benefit Neuroblastoma research happening here in Vermont.  First--if you'd rather donate by check than through this website let me know!

I'm not running a marathon (this year!) , but I am running a leg of a marathon relay with a team of wonderful moms and we are raising money for pediatric cancer research happening at the University of Vermont's Vermont Cancer Center.  Leading this effort is a group of nearly 80 medical students who have endeavored to give back to their community.

Many of you know I"m a professional fundraiser and that I work with medical students on this amazing community service project each year, but this year I'm reaching out to you not as a fundraiser, but as a friend-- and as a mom of two beautiful and healthy children who has been truly inspired. most importantly by the children and familiies who are fighting Neuroblastoma.  These families have found hope in the work being done here in Vermont and I feel honored to be able to run in their honor this year.

Some quick facts about Neuroblastoma from one of our nurse researchers:

• -In the United States, about 600 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year.
  -It is the most common tumor found in children younger than 1 year of age.
• -Every 16 hours a child with neuroblastoma dies.
• -There is no known cure for relapsed neuroblastoma.
• -Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed with neuroblastoma have disease that has already metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. When disease has spread at diagnosis and a child is over the age of 2, there is less than a 30% chance of survival.

Here is a link to the Vermont Cancer Center and more information about the research:  www.vermontcancer.org  (click on Penleope and Sam Fund).

Here is a link to one family's blog about their experience with Neuroblastoma--if this doesn't inspire you I don't know what will:  www.willacey.com  .  Check the video at the start of the blog.  This family drove to Vermont from Boston every week for nearly a year for treatment for their son, and continue to travel to Vermont for ongoing treatment.  They are one of many families from all over the country and world making amazing sacrifices to get to Vermont for treatment. 

Thank you for considering a donation to my team.  I can attest that 100% of donations go straight to research that is immediately improving the lives of children.  Its not often that you can give to something and know that right away the funds are giving life-saving, and life-improving opportunities to children with cancer--many of whom have been told they have no other treatment options left.  This really is an amazing reason to run and to donate.

Thank you!