Why do you run? What is your motivation for running for charity?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Cummings on January 16, 2009 at 8:33am

When I started running a few years ago I mainly did 5k's in my area. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society must scan the race results to develop their mailing list so I began receiving literature. Although I have never been directly affected by the disease it always seemed like tough situation that would be difficult on children and heartbreaking for parents that are helpless to cure their child.

I was planning to run a local half marathon for the second time and received the TNT mailing so I went to the information session expecting to sign up. When I got there and found it was the 20th anniversary I decided to run the biggest event they were offering, Rock-n-Roll Marathon in San Diego.

My fundraising requirement was $4300 which took a bit of work but it was a great experience and I really never left TNT. Three weeks after returning from San Diego I also ran the local half marathon and became a Mentor. The winter season was small so I only guided 3 people who went off to run Disney. Tomorrow morning I’ll be at the information meeting to encourage potential runners to sign up for this springs events.

Getting back to your question…. I have always thought of Leukemia as a disease that hits helpless children and since TNT offered a fun event for me it seemed like a win-win situation.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie on January 16, 2009 at 12:57pm

Thanks for the input and for staying with the LLS TIT. I just would like to hear different stories of why people do this.

I am a hockey player! That is my fix! I haven't played in awhile due to different circumstances but I am passionate about it. Thank you for all your support with the Team in Training program.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Green on January 16, 2009 at 1:11pm

My wife, Stacy, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) when she was in college. I was with her then, I have been with her every day since and I have come to understand how much that disease sucks! I also understand how recent advances in the treatment for RA can help someone keep the disease under control, lessen the daily aches and pains, and allow someone with RA to live normal life.

For these reasons, I teamed up with the Arthritis Foundation and their Joints in Motion team to run the 2007 Chicago Marathon in honor of my wife and to help in their fundraising efforts. I'm happy to say that I was able to raise over $4000 in the process. I will continue to support this organization in future events!

Also, Stacy is planning to walk the Detroit Half Marathon this year! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Yi Shun on January 18, 2009 at 12:55pm

I've found many great causes, but most of them were near and dear to me: My own [now extinct] not-for-profit was based around getting outdoor athletes to give back to the environment; I am now a part of a disaster-relief group, or I had friends who had certain diseases...
But the driving, at-the-heart-of-it reasoning seems to be: if I'm going to be miserable for a long period of time, someone else may as well benefit from it.
I think, also, that we humans are always looking for something that makes us _feel_ more. We consume all types of media that bring our emotions to new heights. Completing a challenging event is already an awesome feeling: knowing that someone else will benefit from your efforts makes it even better. My first long challenging charity event, The Boston-to-New-York Aids Ride, was like that for me. Once you've found something that can pull at you like that, there's no turning back.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie on January 18, 2009 at 11:24pm

Thanks for responding.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Green on February 2, 2009 at 10:20pm

If you need another reason to run/ride for a charity, check out what Just Finish will do to help:

Do you run or ride for a cause?

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Permalink Reply by Mary McManus on February 4, 2009 at 12:08pm

In December 2006, Spaulding Rehab's International Rehab Center for Polio and Post Polio diagnosed me with post polio syndrome. They helped me to begin to take the first steps on my healing journey. I am one of their remarkable recoveries to say the least and I wanted to find a way to give back. My first giving back was through donating 20% of the proceeds of the sale of my book of inspirational poetry, "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World" to the Polio Fund at Spaulding to help fund research, advocacy, education and outreach and to help patients who were not blessed to be covered by their insurance as I was. The staff at Spaulding encouraged me to take a leap of faith and leave my full time job which was contributing to the post polio symptoms and follow my bliss of writing poetry so it only seemed fitting that I donated a portion of the proceeds of my book to them.
Then as I got stronger and stronger, I felt the call to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab and my husband and daughter decided to join me on this adventure. Not only are we raising money for Spaulding Rehab, but I am bringing attention to polio and post polio syndrome and bringing hope and inspiration to those who face physical challenges.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Butler on February 4, 2009 at 1:05pm

Mary,

I fast walk for a couple of reasons. It helps me maintain my weight and feel good. The Arthritis Foundation provided the technologhy that was used in my hip replacement. They have helped advance the medication to treat many types of arthritis. They provide water arobics for people that are just not able to walk or run. You might say the fund raising is payback.

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Smith on February 4, 2009 at 8:33pm

I am training for my 9th Boston Marathon in April. Every year I see the runners wearing their team shirts and usually running with a friend or two. I see and hear the spectators cheering and encouraging them along their journey. "Yeah, Dana Farber" It always touches my heart! So this year I decided....I am going to run Boston for a charity. Boston officially endorses 15 charities each year. Through their website, I found "Team Hopkinton". They fund grants for Dana Farber Cancer Research, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Special Olympics, & various others organizations. I am so happy about it! I know my 2009 Boston Marathon will be a memorable and enriched experience.

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Permalink Reply by John Taitano on February 6, 2009 at 10:28pm

I run to support research and to raise awareness of Sarcoma, an extremely aggressive and rare form of cancer in adults. It accounts for 20% of childhood cancers too. A dear friend of mine was diagnosed at age 32 with this disease and was told he would be lucky to keep his leg, and to forget about running again.

This man has overcome the odds and completed a half-ironman triathlon (1.2mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) less than a year from being diagnosed. He inspires me to do and be my best. You can find his story at www.veteransforsarcoma.com

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Permalink Reply by RunningHoosier on February 10, 2009 at 5:42am

I do not run for a charity, but I have dedicated the next half-marathon to a little girl is not yet 3yrs old who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. I am seeking pledges/donations the half-marathon to help her with her new fight.

Why? Because this child has just begun life and now has a major battle ahead of her to live it. I want to do what I can to help her live. I can not heal her, I can not pay for all her medical needs. What I can do is run, and I can seek to raise money for her through my run.

No, this is not for an organization, it is just for one little girl. But, I have a face that has been put on this disease, and I have a name.

I am running for one little, precious girl. Run4Aubrey

Anyone else that would like to donate/pledge, it would greatly be appreciated.

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