skip to main |
skip to sidebar
June 12 seemed really far away when I first learned of the Donate Life 5k. I was sure my goal of running a mile straight was achievable. I secretly hoped I’d be able to run the full 5k but opted for a more modest goal. Theoretically, I thought, a young and otherwise athletic person should be able to run at least a mile ELEVEN months post-transplant.
But things don’t always go as expected – I can certainly attest to that. For a variety of reasons my exercise has progressed more slowly than I’d hoped and running a mile straight remains a lofty goal.
It’s a loft goal yes, but one that I’m fully committed to making a reality in a few short weeks. I know I can do it if I can drum up some serious support! Here’s where you come in.
Do you run? If so, please sign up to walk/run with me! (There is a $25 sign-up fee.) You’ll be supporting me and all future recipients of life-saving transplants in New Jersey. The more people I have jogging [slowly] beside me, the better the chance I have of running that full mile!
Are you loud? A bunch of cheerleaders near the end of the race would move mountains for me. Just picturing cheerleaders helps me push for an extra minute on the treadmill, so imagine the power of a real live cheering section!
Can’t make it in person? Please make a donation of any size to our team! The NJ Sharing Network (also known as Donate Life New Jersey) is the organization responsible for raising awareness of organ donation in this state, matching donors with recipients and facilitating contact between the donor family and transplant recipient. Needless to say, I’m extremely passionate about this wonderful group.
Like t-shirts? You’re in luck. Commemorative team (See Andrea Run) t-shirts are in progress…more to come!
Aside from returning to work, this is my biggest post-transplant milestone thus far. Please help me achieve my goals of raising $1500 for this critical cause and running that full final mile on Sunday, June 12.
The event takes place at 10am in New Providence, NJ. Click on the link below for our team site and look for the buttons that say “donate here” and/or “join this team”.
SEE ANDREA RUN
With your support, I can do this and we can all help raise awareness of organ donation. THANK YOU!!
I’ve been a cynic for most of my 29 years. While I’ve never presumed that people are inherently bad, I’ve certainly never given humanity credit for being particularly good. People are busy, and our survival instincts urge us to look out for #1 and those closest to us. But my new reality has revealed to me just how good people truly are.
I have received the most heart-warming and thoughtful notes from so many people. People I barely know. People I never particularly clicked with. Old friends from whom I’ve drifted apart. Strangers who have been through similar situations. Strangers who have simply heard my story. And of course my close friends and family. While I was in the hospital, I’m pretty sure I set a record for the number of e-cards received for a patient. Now that I’m home, the mailman probably wonders why I receive handfuls of greeting cards most days and frequent packages. The e-mails, Facebook notes and blog comments are equally as overwhelming.
I’ve found that when people sense tragedy or loss or a need of some kind, they respond. They want to help. This is how I would define “good” and this is what I’ve seen over the past ten months. An outpouring of good from all of you.
So no matter what your experience has been lately – you’ve probably fallen out of touch with people you once cared about – don’t assume it’s because they don’t care. They are just busy, as are you. If they find out you need help or support or encouragement, I’m certain they will reemerge by your side. I have witnessed the true good of people – the thoughtfulness, the generosity, the pure love – I just hope you never have a reason to see it first-hand the way I have.
