I am running The Celebrate Life Half Marathon for my third time, This event was started by a good friend of mine. It raises money for CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer). 100% of the proceeds will be... Learn More

I am running The Celebrate Life Half Marathon for my third time, This event was started by a good friend of mine. It raises money for CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer). 100% of the proceeds will be directed towards people suffering from cancer in the Sullivan and Orange County areas, so please make a donation to support this wonderful cause. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and wish me luck! Hide

I've known several people, close to me who have passed away from various types of cancer.  But what hit me the hardest was losing my sister just recently on 12/20/2011.  She originally was diagnosed... Learn More

I've known several people, close to me who have passed away from various types of cancer.  But what hit me the hardest was losing my sister just recently on 12/20/2011.  She originally was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2005, which they were able to treat and actually get rid of with chemo and radiation.  The downfall was the treatment caused another type of illness called Secondary Mylodeplastic Syndrome, which is (in a nutshell) pre-luekemia and affects the bone marrow (below is a link explaining her disease in further detail).  She went in for a stem-cell transplant on October 19, 2011 and had numerous complication, rejected the transplant and contracted several lung infection, one called CMV,  whiich is what ultimately one of the 4 main things that caused her to pass away.  One thing I want to meantion about my sister is that she loved to run.  She ran cross-country and she ran track since 5th grade.  So she made me promise her to keep running, for me and for her.  To not give this up.  In honor of her, I am running this run and I will continue to run!  This has been one of the most devastating losses in our lives in 10 years.  Here is a link about my sister's illness if you were interested to know more:  http://marrow.org/Patient/Disease_and_Treatment/About_Your_Disease/MDS/Myelodysplastic_Syndromes_(MDS).aspx See 10 years ago we lost my cousin, Lacy Beasly, to Ewing Sarcoma cancer which was a horrible death.  She as well as Tara suffered greatly.  Tara suffered daily with constant pain, pain beyond what we could begin to imagine.  While Lacy's ended with her life drowning in her lung fluid.  Two horrible deaths that our family has had to endure.  This disease is treachurous and deadly and tiring and devastating.  Its heartbreaking not only for the one's suffering, but for the families having to watch their loved ones go through it. Finally someone who became one of my best friend, Rhesa Ferigno, left behind 4 beautiful little girls, and a husband to Hodgkin Disease.  And that was a difficult thing to watch.  When I met her she was terminal, so I was aware of the end results, but one is never prepared.  Rhesa and I met when I was 18, so she taught me a lot about growing up and responsibility.  This is when I found my passion.  I have another friend, who'll remain nameless, that has survived cancer, and she has been one of the best friends who helped me get through the worst parts of dealing with my sister's situation.  She knows what its like, I suppose and she was able to identify and direct me how to keep it together and be strong when I needed to be strong and let the emotions out when it was appropriate.  She was there for me every step of the way.  It is people like that who know, who really know, how to help people like me.  When my sister was really sick and we knew it was the end it was her that brought to the realization that I had to accept that fact.  She taught me about hope when there was a time she might get better and I didn't have that.  I know several other people who are fighting cancer right now, who are in remission from cancer right now, and who have passed from cancer.  This is disease of circustances. And these people are victims.  The people left behind are victimeless, which is why I chose this title.  It is such a sad and horrible disease and I cannot understand why such good people who all of a sudden are stricken down with cancer.  It makes no sense to me, but I guess it's not for me to understand.  What I can tell you is that as a result of my sister's time I had with her a lot of changes occurred in my life, reconciliation of our family occurred, and time that I lost with her, I got back in a short amount of time.  I miss her terribly and still wish she was here, but I'm glad she's not suffering anymore, her headaches are gone and she is with God. One thing I will say, the good that came out of this whole experience, is that I got my spiritual life back.  I lost my connection with God at 18 years old, and now at 35, my sister has helped to show me that God never gives up on us and we can come back at anytime!  Running becomes one of those things that just gives me the strength to call on my sister and trust her and God that they will get me through what I start. I want to end by my extending my deepest thanks to UCSD Thornton Hospital for the care they took of my sister, Tara Beasley.  They treated her so good and did everything they could.  Every unit she was on, ICU, IMU, BMT, and especially the Moore's Cancer Center took such great care of her and I know you all did the best you did to keep her alive as long as you could and keep her as comfortable as you could in her end days...and for that I will be forever grateful!  Also to the Social Workers and Case Managers that were a part of her team and that helped me as well, thank you so much, I am forever endebted to you! Hide

I am running The Celebrate Life Half Marathon for my second time, last year being my first. This event is close to my heart as it raises money for CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer). Cancer has affected... Learn More

I am running The Celebrate Life Half Marathon for my second time, last year being my first. This event is close to my heart as it raises money for CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer). Cancer has affected many people and families including my very own, my grandfather Merton Lockhart is a cancer survivor who's battle continues with lung cancer; my aunt, Tami Shaver, is also a cancer survivor. When I was a child my family lost my cousin Theresa Horvath to brain cancer who was one of my favorite babysitters and was like a sister to my mother. I will honor them again this year as I run the half marathon in March. This years proceeds will be directed towards alleviating specific needs of survivors and people suffering from cancer, specifically in the Sullivan and Orange County areas so please make a donation to support this wonderful cause.  Thank You so much! Sincerely, Kelsi Lockhart Hide

Helping people who are facing a life threatening illness while struggling financially. 100% of all proceeds will be donated to patients battling cancer. We are helping those we love today so they can celebrate... Learn More

Helping people who are facing a life threatening illness while struggling financially. 100% of all proceeds will be donated to patients battling cancer. We are helping those we love today so they can celebrate life tomorrow. Hide

Help Eileen raise money for a grassroots, struggling organization which assists cancer patients in desperate need of help for treatments, rehabilitation and basic everyday needs. Eileen met Myriam Loor through... Learn More

Help Eileen raise money for a grassroots, struggling organization which assists cancer patients in desperate need of help for treatments, rehabilitation and basic everyday needs. Eileen met Myriam Loor through running Myriam's successful and burgeoning race, Celebrate Life Half Marathon. Eileen and Myriam share in common a love for running and the gift of being cancer survivors. Give today and know that your donation, of any amount, is helping give others a gift that money cannot buy---Life! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Eileen Hide

Our lives have been touched by cancer so many times and we hate it! We want to continue supporting fellow survivors who need a little help, when times get tough. Whether it's financial support to help pay medical... Learn More

Our lives have been touched by cancer so many times and we hate it! We want to continue supporting fellow survivors who need a little help, when times get tough. Whether it's financial support to help pay medical co-pays or pay bills to put food on the table, it makes sense to support CLHM, knowing that the monies delegated through CROC Alumni, are benefiting real people. Tom runs and Mare walks and we love knowing that the efforts of all involved really make a difference to real people in a simple and respectful manner. Please help us in any way possible. I am also looking for clean plastic bottles to mix our gatorade for the runners and walkers. Hide

  Help us raise funds to support CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer) and those who benefit from it. CROC is a grassroots organization whose dual mission is to support mechanisms aimed at the... Learn More

  Help us raise funds to support CROC (Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer) and those who benefit from it. CROC is a grassroots organization whose dual mission is to support mechanisms aimed at the treatment and eradication of cancer and to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. This years proceeds will be directed towards alleviating specific needs of survivors and people suffering from cancer, specifically in the Sullivan and Orange County areas. Also, the Celebrate Life Half Marathon supports the Motivation Mile, a display of names honoring your loved ones affected by cancer or encouraging one of the participants. The names stretch along mile 10 reminding you with each step you take of the contribution you are making in the fight against cancer.  Hide

I am doing this half marathon on March 11, 2012 in memory of my dad Jose Diaz, who died of cancer on September 28, 2002. He celebrated life and living more than anyone I know and taught me about how precious... Learn More

I am doing this half marathon on March 11, 2012 in memory of my dad Jose Diaz, who died of cancer on September 28, 2002. He celebrated life and living more than anyone I know and taught me about how precious moments are. This is my way to honor him: to celebrate being alive and to help support those who are fighting for their lives. "The race annually raises funds to assist cancer patients in their financial needs. 100% of the proceeds are directed to patients in treatment in Sullivan and Orange Counties with no overhead or administrative expenses. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to meet specific needs of people that are dealing with this disease." (http://www.celebratelifehalfmarathon.com/?pg=home) Please consider donating to a great cause. Thank you, Gina Hide