Dear Friends and Family!

I turn 33 just two days after I finish the NYC Marathon, and what a celebration it will be!

I am so grateful to join the 2012 Women's Sports Foundation ING New York City Marathon Team.  Founded in 1974 by tennis legend, Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. Since its inception, thousands have benefited from the scholarships, grants, and programs offered by the foundation and given opportunities to succeed.

I am one of many thousands the foundation has helped.

In addition to providing scholarships, grants, and programs, the WSF strongly supports and advocates for equality in sports for young girls and women. Title IX is a federal law that states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." All women – mothers, daughters, grand-daughters, aunts, and nieces, etc. –, who play sports on some competitive level, have this law to thank. 

I would really like to thank everyone who has donated towards my fundraising goal.   As I continue to train, each week increasing my mileage, which means I am waking up earlier as it is not as light out .  In addition, I am trying to find some larger companies who may make larger donations that will help support the efforts of the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF).Also, to clarify, I am going to run in the NYC marathon, hopefully making it past the finish line. As I train for this marathon, I am trying to raise money for the WSF. I am sure you are all wondering where this money will go.  It goes towards programs that will help young girls and women reach their goals and potential.  In our society that we live in it teaches girls to judge their worth on looks rather than abilities, which impacts what they do during this critical time and research has shown that by age 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys.  The money that is raised helps to keep these girls and young women motivated to stay in sports as this affects them in all aspects of their lives, which is why it’s so important to keep every girl in the game. Please refer to the website below....(cut and paste)   http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/en/sitecore/content/home/support-us/do-you-know-the-factors-influencing-girls-participation-in-sports   How will this money be brought back into our community?  It provides numerous scholarships to student-athletes, provides transportation to athletic events in a safe area, it provides updated sports equipment to under served communities, it helps defray the cost of sports to families who are unable to pay for uniforms, coaching, travel and equipment.  There are many more ways the WSF will bring your donations back into our community, so please donate to a great cause that makes a difference in the lives of girls and young women.  

• $1 for every mile I hope to achieve = $26.20
• My first marathon will take place in 2012 = $12
• I am turning 33 on November 6th = $33
• How much you will spend on me for my birthday! = $XX amount
• The number of years the WSF has been supporting girls and women in their athletic endeavors = $38
• $10 for every mile I hope to achieve = $262
• $9 (Title IX) for every female athlete you know who has some way or another been impacted by Title IX = $XXX amount
• What my time will be (4 hours 35 minutes) = $4.35