I'm running the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in January in order to raise money for an organization I've been involved with for the past year- Comfort Zone Camp. CZC is a camp for kids who have lost a parent or sibling, and is offered free of charge. CZC provides grieving children with an environment where they can heal and break the isolation that death often brings. Camps are held year-round in California, Massachusetts, Virginia, and New Jersey, and plans to extend to Texas in the near future. CZC recently partnered with the Sheilah A. Doyle foundation, a non-profit organization that provides assistance and support to children who have lost a parent due to homicide. Through these two organizations, as well as the many others around the country, grieving children can finally realize that they are not alone.

This past January I ran the Disney World Half Marathon with a group of other CZC volunteers and supporters. I ran in memory of my dad, who passed away from cancer 6 years ago, and for other kids who have lost their father, or mother, or sibling. I am running again for those same reasons, and to bring awareness to childhood grief. My goal this time is to raise $1300, $100 for each mile, which will help send one out-of-state child or two in-state children to camp for free. Of course more than that would be awesome!