Prior to joining Endure to Cure, I had never run a road race in my life. However, inspired by the ingenuity of this cause, and the humbling achievements of other E2C athletes, I trained for and successfully completed my first 5K on 9/19/10. I have since run two more, and will end this season by participating in my first 5-mile race, The Knights of Columbus Holiday Run. Next season, look for me in the 10K Aisle!
We are combining our effort with athletes doing a variety of events within Endure to Cure in attempt to raise $50,000 to fund a pediatric cancer survivorship study at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital in 2011. The study will enable a clinical psychologist to research methods to reduce the long-term effects of harsh treatments on pediatric cancer patients. Your donation will directly go towards funding a Masters or PhD-level clinical research psychologist’s salary for a year. The clinical psychologist will be the sole person involved in this study.
So why this is this study important? Many people do not realize that 60% of pediatric cancer patients will suffer long term side effects, often times severe, after they have been deemed "survivors." Post-survivorship is a very underfunded and under-examined area of study. This study can have an immediate impact with patients the psychologist examines, and a long-term effect as more data can be used to put new post-survivorship treatment methods into place.
I am honored to be a part of this project, which is a constant source of inspiration to me. With your support, I will continue to push myself further and harder. No contribution is too small. Every contribution makes a positive difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.