Justine VanOrder

I believe that the impossible, is POSSIBLE!

When I joined Endure to Cure my goal was to complete a full Ironman. I had signed up for Ironman Arizona which was in November of 2009. Ironman is a race totaling 140.6 miles and is comprised of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a full marathon (a 26.2 mile run). After training for the first six months I became injured and was unable to reach my goal. This was devastating for me as Ironman had been a dream of mine for quite some time. To have it so close and then not be able to compete was very hard. Then I remembered that life and its quest are not always easy, and sometimes you are dealt a difficult hand and you must work to overcome these challenges. Endure to Cure has helped me understand this more than anything. Endure to Cure has opened my eyes to a battle that many children have to face, cancer.

After joining Endure to Cure I started to research pediatric cancer, I wanted a better understanding of the challenges these children face. After all of my research, my injury and my failed attempt at Ironman seemed so small and insignificant. There are children losing their fight each day from a debilitating disease with no guaranteed cure. I immediately knew that it was my calling to help give these children hope, inspire them, and do my part to advance a cure for cancer. These children push their body everyday to the limit with some of the therapies they face, and that is what I plan to do in order to help raise money for their cure. Over the next year I am planning a series of endurance events to raise money:

June – I will compete my first half marathon (13.1 miles) at the San Diego Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon.

July – I will compete in the Seattle to Portland race - a one-day, 202 mile cycling race.

August* - I plan to climb 5 of the 14,000ft peaks in Colorado (tentative)

September* - I plan to compete in my first Half Ironman in Syracuse, NY (tentative)

By making a contribution, you are not only helping me meet a goal of mine, but more importantly, you are helping the life of a child with cancer. The proceeds we raise at Endure to Cure go to fund research, treatment, and care for pediatric cancer patients. I am inviting you to be a part of my special journey, and the journey of many children fighting pediatric cancer. The average age of diagnosis is just six years old, but together, you and I can do our part to help them survive for much longer.