I am writing to tell you about The Wellness Community a special organization I am involved with as an Intern acquiring my clinical hours toward my doctorate degree in psychology, and an exciting personal challenge I am undertaking.  I have joined a dedicated group of men and women as a member of the Strides for Hope Marathon Training Team.  We are committed to raising money to help people living with cancer find emotional support, education and hope at The Wellness Community, an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support and education to people with cancer and their loved ones. 

I will be training to participate in the 5K Big Sur International Marathon on April 27, 2008 in Big Sur, California .  This will be my first 5K marathon and I know it will require a great deal of time and both physical and mental preparation.  But I have accepted the challenge because I want to make a difference in my own life and in the lives of people living with cancer in our community.  As an intern I have seen the emotional support attained by participants from The Wellness Community and I would like to give back to the community. As some may remember the last time I was part of a fund-raiser it was in high school for the Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy association because I truly believed in it. I would not ask you to help me with this goal if I were not as passionate as I was then.

If you or someone you know has ever been diagnosed with cancer, you know that it can be as devastating emotionally as it is physically.  Often, medical and other practical issues push emotional and psychological issues aside.  At The Wellness Community, people with cancer and their loved ones can find hope and the tools to deal with the emotional challenges of their diagnosis and gain a better quality of life.  All of The Wellness Communityʼs services are provided free of charge so fund-raising programs like Strides for Hope are vital in keeping these services available. 

Please support me as I raise money to help people living with cancer and The Wellness Community.  I have made a commitment to raise a minimum of $5000.  Your personal contribution will help me reach this goal and support this great organization.  Will you please join me in meeting my fundraising challenge as I challenge myself to complete the 5K marathon in April?

Any amount you can provide will be greatly appreciated.  Please complete the enclosed contribution form indicating your gift and return it to me by 4/21/2007 along with a check made payable to The Wellness Community in the enclosed return envelope.  All donations are 100% tax deductible. Also, check with your employer to see if they have a matching gift program; it could double your donation. All donations and contributers will be listed on this page.

During the marathon, I will be celebrating cancer survivors and remembering loved ones who fought the disease and are no longer with us.  If you would like me to celebrate and remember someone important in your life who has been affected by cancer; please send me their name and I will carry it with me during the 5K marathon.

I hope you will be with me in spirit on April 27th as I complete the 5K Big Sur International Marathon .  Take a walk or run that day with those you love and celebrate life.  Thank you in advance for your consideration and generous support of The Wellness Community and me.

Warmest wishes,

Maryam Hafezi

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 my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!