Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, Justin and I decided to take on a new challenge to raise 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.  We have joined the Wellness Community’s Strides for Hope Marathon Training Team to run in the Big Sur International Marathon on April 25, 2008.  We are running the 10.6 mile distance rather than the entire marathon length, which represents a huge challenge for us.

We decided to take this on because in the past year, we both have been close to people impacted by the devastation of cancer and have witnessed the toll it takes while they had to contend with the challenges a cancer diagnosis brings.  From chemotherapy visits and their aftermath to negotiating the difficulties of the medical industry, those who have experienced cancer know how overwhelming and in fact, devastating, it all can be.  We thought that the Wellness Community would be the perfect organization to raise money for because it provides people with the essential tools they need to get through the most difficult moments of their lives. 

Nicole saw first-hand how the Wellness Community really helps people.  Nicole’s co-worker Carol relied on the services and support of the Wellness Community while she battled breast cancer.  She attended workshops on nutrition and soothed her soul with mind/body/exercise classes tailored just for people enduring cancer treatments.  Carol is now running her second full marathon in April, and she continues to be a source of inspiration to Nicole and Justin.  

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 Community’s services are provided free of charge so fundraising programs like Strides for Hope are vital in keeping these services available. 

Justin and I did it.  With everyone's help we raised a little more than $4800!  We can't believe it, and in a week, we'll be running our hearts out in Big Sur, celebrating cancer survivors and remembering those who fought hard but are no longer with us.  We're so excited and thrilled to be able to give back to our community in this way!

Thank you in advance for your consideration and generous support of the Wellness Community and us as we meet this challenge!