Hello everyone!! We are running the San Francisco Half-Marathon on July 25th in memory of our dad, Andrew Katnik. As many of you know, our dad lost his fight with Lymphoma on June 14th, 2005. As we were nearing upon the 5 year anniversary of his passing, we decided we didn't just want to watch it go by without doing anything; so his non-pregnant daughters decided to run a half-marathon! A perennial athlete and competitor, a half-marathon seemed like a good way to remember our dad's fighting spirit.

Simply running the half-marathon for our dad didn't seem like enough of a statement for this 5 year mark so we have also decided to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Any little bit helps and we thank you in advance for your generosity and support in our endeavor. Whether you donate or not, please keep us in your thoughts on July 25th because neither one of us has ever run this distance and we're freaking out (Elena especially).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

In fact, in 2009 alone, LLS researchers were conducting more than 90 clinical trials, a critical step in the development of new treatments and cures that will help patients live better, longer lives.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.
• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
• A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

Please make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk and help save lives. Be sure to check my Web site frequently to see my progress, and thanks for your support!