Tuesday, June 15, 2010

My Honorees for Seattle

NOTE: I am keeping this post near the top, because these people (and pets) are one of the big reasons that I do this.

Every time I do a race for Team in Training, I am raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society so that their mission of curing blood cancers can be reached. In addition, I am celebrating my own great fortune for not only surviving cancer but returning to good health, and I am honoring those who have had to battle cancer. For Seattle, I will write these names on my marathon shirt, and will do my best to honor each and every one of them when I race the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half-Marathon. I will keep adding to the list as people make donations and ask me to write additional names of their loved ones.

If you want me to run in honor or memory of a loved one with any type of cancer, please go to my TNT web page, make a donation in any amount, and email their name to me.

First, there are seven special honorees for 2010 who are currently dealing with cancer:

Ann Ritter (my sister, relapsed with breast cancer)
Ed Stone (teammate and four time cancer survivor, currently battling melanoma)
Jordan Shahbaz (two year old boy with leukemia)
Madelyne Blanton (eight year old girl with leukemia)
Ashley Lefkow (four year old girl with leukemia)
Elayne Minich (facing metastisized breast cancer once again)
David Williams (recently diagnosed with lymphoma)

Next, with my race, I pay special honors to the memory my grandfather, Walter L. Lepson, who died of cancer 51 years before the date of the Seattle Marathon: June 26, 1959.

Then, there are our Team Patient Honorees, all such inspirations to our entire team: Emma McFeeley, Nicki Patton, Kristi Garstang, Paul Zamecnic, Katie Powell, Rob Larsen

Next, there are other honorees who have bravely faced cancer. Some are fortunate like me, and are survivors. Others fought the good fight but did not have a lucky outcome. May they rest in peace.

In Memory of: Alan Bernstein, Bob Caggiano, Blake Wayland, Joe Boisvert, W. Scott Bivans, Linda Cox, Scott Scupien, Manual Toombs, Katherine Toombs, Marilyn Libman, Dax Locke, Mark Duva, Bob Dorsey, Bob Knapp, Charles Considine, Kate Homan, Yolanda Casim, Frank Raflo, Eileen Jones, Kenwyn Dougherty, Carol O'Neil

In Honor of: Christine Grudinskas, Chris Ritter, Janice Wedwick, Bev Kuhlman, Rhoda Ritter, Kayla Kuhn, Nancy Nelson, Faith Eury, Pam Pollard, Blair Collins, Robin Yoder, Mary Beth Gibson, Michael Marmion, Julie Westcott, Kerry Allor, Linda Silver, Rita Conkle, Tomas Nichols, Linda Hurt, Nancy Blevins, Frances Koons, Warren Short, Samantha Fisher, Craig Sandras, Ed Moore, Cade Howard, Matthew Lozada, Steve Hauck, Pat McAuliffe, Karen Lane, Lillian Kerby, Bill Scherling, Linda Schmidt, Gerry Adamson, Joe Zingone, Pam Sudz, Leona Held, Meighan Daily, David D'Arville, Lanie Evans, Barbara Moriarty, Debbie Cray, Joseph Durante, Jordan Greer, Mindy Fast, Barbara Marx

Finally, there are beloved pets lost to or ill from cancer that I have been asked to remember:

Tyra, Zack, Catherine, Amber, Rocky, Copper

13 comments:

Elayne said...

Thank you Art~ I am honored to be an Honoree!

o2bhiking said...

Elayne - the honor is all mine! Art

Liz Campbell said...

Support coming your way and have some fun!

Kerry said...

thanks Art...Its so appreciated!

Anonymous said...

Hi Art,

I saw that you list the names of some pets on your blog about Seattle nominees. My friend Kathy's papillon Rocky has just been diagnosed with terminal Lymphoma. I wondered if you would be so kind as to add Rocky to your list of pets. Thanks as always! Faith

Anastasia said...

My doggy Copper died of lymphoma last year :-(

Anonymous said...

Hello~

Thank you for remembering Scott Scupien...i can't tell you how much this means

ali

o2bhiking said...

Ali - I am honored to wear Scott's name for this race. I am saddened by your loss. Art

Elayne said...

Well, I was hoping not to move up on the list ,but remain honored.Thank you Art, you are a great friend and support!

Rob Larsen said...

I love your blog, Art. Keep up the great work.

Iona Knapp said...

Hi Art - I am so honored that you have added Bob's name to your list! Bob put up a great fight for 11 months but alas he lost his battle. Seeing you and Mary and all the other CrossRidge folks at Bob's service meant so much to me and my family! Thank YOu from the bottom of my heart!! Iona

Unknown said...

Hi Art,
I am honored to run with you (figuratively) in Seattle. I wish I could be there in person and join in the effort, hopefully when I'm done with school I can! I am grateful for you, as I am sure the friends and families of those who are or have fought cancer are grateful also. My Aunt and Uncle are very fond of you, and I hope to meet you as well :) Thank you so much, keep up the good work!

Best,
~Meighan Daily

o2bhiking said...

Hi Meighan - thanks for your kind comment. I am honored to wear your name, and appreciate the generosity of you family. Stay healthy, and congratulations on surviving leukemia. Looking forward to meeting you someday. Art