Track and Field Blogs - Marty Rosendahl

So in San Francisco on October 19, my sister-in-law Sara is running the Nike Women's Marathon. It's her second marathon, but the special thing about this one is that she's doing it with Team In Training. Her inspiration is that her cousin Mike Schierenbeck was diagnosed and is being treated for a rare form of leukemia. She's been training hard, and she's almost reached her fundraising goal. I'm putting this online to try to help her get that last little bit of fundraising done since the deadline is September 24. I just looked and she's got $695 to go. That's 72% complete!

Just to tell you a little bit about her cousin Mike, prior to his diagnosis, he was a Pastor in my church synod, the CLC (http://www.clclutheran.org.) Once he was diagnosed, he started undergoing various treatments, all of which proved pretty useless. He's undergone a stem-cell transplant, which seems to be yielding some positive results.

So I'll basically get off the stage here and give it over to the latest letter from Sara:

Hi everyone!

I wanted to once again thank everyone who has already responded so generously.

This will be your last training update! Last weekend, I completed my 18-miler, by the grace of God really! It wasn't just any old 18-miler. Those are tough no matter what. But it was a hilly run, and we were in the middle of a heat wave. For the first time, an ice bath sounded very appealing! I kept on thinking of a t-shirt that some teammates created. The front says, "Think training's hard?" And on the back? "Try chemo!" Puts things in perspective!

We are so thankful that my honoree and cousin, Mike Schierenbeck, is doing well following his stem cell transplant. He says that he is very fatigued, but things are trending in the right direction. Please keep him and his family in your prayers!

Just a reminder that donations need to made by September 24. And thanks to those of you who helped me get my new sweatshirt (half of the minimum raised by August 1). It kept me warm at the beach this weekend!

Your financial support will not only help save the lives of those afflicted with blood-related cancers, but make their lives more comfortable and manageable while they are fighting against the disease. And in case you are wondering, over 75% of your donation goes directly to patient services and research. If you are so inclined, please feel free to forward this email and request with anyone who might like to help. Every contribution will have an impact, will be acknowledged personally by me, and will be appreciated by so very many.

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf08/spfeiffer

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that this will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

In Christ, Sara Pfeiffer

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)