IT’S NOT ABOUT ME, IT’S ABOUT US.
On November 6th and in the “Big Apple,” I will run the New York City Marathon. This race is more than a marathon for me and for America’s children and their families that will be diagnosed this year with cancer. Instead, it’s about our journey to help raise precious and much-needed funds to eradicate childhood cancer.
Nearly half of Americans are unaware that childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children. Every day four children die and another 28 are diagnosed. What is even more shocking is that our government spends north of $5 Billion a year on cancer research, with only 5% of these dollars being allocating to pediatric cancer research. The causes of pediatric cancer are still largely unknown, and though new discoveries are resulting in new treatments, this heartbreaking disease continues to scar families and communities in ways that may never fully heal.
I am so proud and honored to have been chosen to be part of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation “Team Lemon,” an organization that is supported by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation in a myriad of ways. With my running shoes on, each mile I run will stand for something bigger than me and mean so much more than a personal accomplishment or a checkmark on my “bucket” list.
And because of YOU – my family, my friends, my colleagues and my clients, who accepted this challenge with me and supported a charitable cause that I am passionate about, we will finish strong together for kids throughout country by making their dreams for a cancer-free future come true.
And if you are wondering whether or not to donate toward my “Team Lemon” fund raising goal of $5000, simply imagine being a parent and hearing those awful words, “Your child has cancer.” Now take the next step with me and pledge a donation, it doesn’t matter how big or small, and that's what it feels like to give more than 15,000 children with cancer hope for a cure.
In Alex’s memory, thank you in advance for helping me take lemons and make some lemonade!
To learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, please visit: www.alsf.org
Kristin
