Monday, September 23, 2013

Marathoner Monday: The Infamous Andrew Jevin


Oops....I did it again. Yep I agreed to run another marathon. But this time its going to be a little closer to home.

YEP NYC HERE I COME!!! I am running the NYC MARATHON, once again for the Concern Foundation. I proudly finished the LA MARATHON in 2012 for the Concern Foundation. I raised almost $4,500.00 for cancer research.

This year so far has been the hardest year of my life. I lost my best friend, my dad in January. So I am running for him this year. I remember after signing up for the my first marathon my dad asked "what the hell was I thinking?" But my Dad was my biggest supporter, not only in his generous donation but in his motivational talks he would give me when I told him I didnt think I could do it. On the day of the marathon he tracked my progress and Ill never forget the text he sent me 2 seconds after I crossed the finish line. In all caps ANDREW WAY TO GO! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!

So, this year I have my fears but I need to run this marathon - for all the people who have lost their lives due to cancer, have loved ones who have lost their lives due to cancer and for my Dad - whom I know will be watching me and cheering me on.
So every dollar counts. even if it is just $10! I would be eternally grateful!

and what better place to run it in but my favorite city in the world - NEW YORK!





Monday, August 19, 2013

Marathoner Monday: Brooke Carpenter

Why I am running the ING NYC Marathon. 

I never in a million years imagined that I would be training for a marathon. Honestly, I've always told people that I had "zero desire" to run a full marathon--sure a half here and there, but never a full marathon. Yet here I am, literally sitting in my sweaty running shorts, in the middle of training for the ING NYC Marathon.   

Many people are surprised when I tell them that I am going to run 26.2 miles willingly (maybe it's because all of the cookies I eat make it look like I probably don't run). And sometimes, I even wonder to myself while I'm running the marathon. 26.2 miles is really far! Like I am going to be running constantly for, theoretically, around four hours straight. To put that in perspective, it's pretty much the distance from my home in Coto de Caza all the way to my office in Newport Beach. A series of recent events, starting with a trip to NY for the marathon last year and a couple pep-talks, convinced me to run the ING NYC Marathon this fall but, the roots of why I am running go a bit deeper.

On the Staten Island Ferry heading to provide relief to Hurricane Sandy victims
I am running the ING NYC Marathon because I believe in the potential for things to get better. For injuries to heal, for sickness to turn to health, for frowns to flip into smiles, for a bad yesterday to become a better tomorrow, for hate to be overcome by love. I am running the ING NYC Marathon because I believe in the mental and physical growth that comes from pushing your body past what you think is possible. I believe that we, as human beings, are stronger than we think we are. We can accomplish amazing things when we refuse to listen to the haterz (including our own minds and bodies).  

I am running the ING NYC Marathon because, like too many people, I have lost loved ones to cancer.  My Rockstar, my little beloved puppy, was taken by cancer last fall.  Even though he was "just a dog", his unconditional love everyone he met (and food) is a constant inspiration. My beautiful grandma, Rosemary, passed away almost seven years ago after a long battle with breast and liver cancer. Her strength in the face of adversity and love for her family is what keeps my legs moving on long runs and inspires me daily to be a better person. 

Rocky, sadly taken from us by doggie cancer

As I run, I increase hope for things to get better, the power to make it happen and I carry with me the memories of Rockstar, Grammie and all of those who have been taken by this terrible disease. 

My Grammie, Rosemary, and I back in the day

I hope that you will take a moment, and a penny or two, to participate with me in the 2013 ING NYC Marathon. Donating to Team Concern is super-duper easy and can make all the difference in furthering cancer research. (For full deets on Team Concern/Concern Foundation clicky here- 95% of all donations go straight to funding cancer research!).  

Go HERE HERE HERE to donate directly to my fundraising page. With your help I know that I will be able to reach my goal of raising $3,000 to further cancer research through the Concern Foundation.

If you're looking to just send good vibes and motivation, feel free to call/tweet/text/whatever me.  And one last time, you can go HEREEEEEEE to donate to my fundraiser.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you so so much for your support, both in the marathon and in our goal to conquer cancer once and for all. 

Much love and #goteam!
Brooke 


OC Half Marathon Finisher - Representing Team Concern!!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Marathoner Monday: Katie Vickers

As most of you know, last year I had put together a team of 5 runners who collectively raised about $13,000 for Concern Foundation for cancer research and trained for the NYC Marathon.  Due to unforeseen circumstances with the arrival, destruction and devastation of Hurricane Sandy, including an estimated 776,000 people displaced from their homes and over 6 Million people left without power for days, if not weeks, the NYC Marathon was cancelled for the first time in 42 years.  They weren’t joking when they said, “Mother Nature is a B****.”

ING NYC Marathon Expo when I was still sure the race would go on
 On that Sunday, November 4th, 2012, our scheduled race day, I grabbed my sister-in-law, a fellow Team Concern runner and a backpack full of supplies and took to the streets of the shattered Staten Island with nearly 2,000 other trained marathoners looking for an outlet for our energy.  Our hard work to get that NYC Marathon finish line had become an afterthought, and we just wanted to help those who had been affected by the storm.  Some runners made it as far as Oakwood Beach and cleaned out houses that had been nearly demolished to save trinkets and photos, while some of us organized an evacuation shelter and offered emotional support to those who were in temporary shelter.  While the circumstances were so unfortunate, it was one of those days in my life where I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be in that moment:  representing Concern Foundation, not necessarily for cancer research, but to show that in times of grief, all humanitarian support is just as important as the next and no matter what our chosen cause is to lend relief, sometimes certain philanthropy needs our hands and our hearts more than others.  2012 was not my year to run the NYC Marathon, but I will never forget that day for the rest of my life.

A family I met at a Staten Island Shelter who had been trapped on their roof for 9 hours until Hurricane Sandy Passed
That being said, 2013 is a different story.  This year, Concern Foundation is back as an Official Charity of the NYC Marathon and we have 12 runners with the hope of collectively raising $50,000 for cancer research.  In 2012 my fundraising efforts were in honor of my dear friend Alexandra, who at this time last year was battling an aggressive secondary kind of cancer and being treated by the best oncologists in the country out of MD Anderson.  To re-read her story, click here: http://concernfoundation.blogspot.com/2012/10/running-nyc-for-alexandra.html

This year I am running and fundraising in her honor again, because for the first time in 7-years, just this past May, Alexandra was told she is CANCER FREE.  I can’t say that without getting completely choked up.  Treatment and cures don’t come without groundbreaking efforts at the root of the problem.  Alexandra’s news of being cancer free is a huge moment of pride for the cancer research community, to know that at some point, somewhere, a young, innovative cancer researcher like those of which are funded by organizations like Concern Foundation, was given the chance to explore an idea and now there are cancer survivors because of it.  Alexandra’s life depended on the research and support of organizations like ours.  
The day I met Alexandra in 2010
So I’m asking you today to support Concern Foundation for cancer research, our team of runners who are representing this organization in New York City by running their hearts out, and me, because I wholeheartedly believe in this organization and the mission we are funding to conquer cancer.  I believe in more research, for more survivors like Alexandra.  
Alexandra and I just a few weeks ago at a fundraiser for Walk With Sally
No amount is too small of a donation, as every penny counts in the quest to find a cure.  In addition to making a contribution, if you could forward this on to those friends and family of yours that you think would appreciate this story, or be willing to help, I would be so grateful. Thank you for your support! 

To donate, Click HERE

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Running NYC for Alexandra

Yes, I am running another marathon.  And yes, I am once again running for Concern Foundation for cancer research.  So, why NYC?  Why two marathons in one year?  Why hound my family, friends and colleagues to support my marathon endeavor so soon after the last one?  Well, besides the obvious being that running the NYC Marathon is a dream for a runner, I’m doing this for a girl named Alexandra.


Alexandra smiling wide during treatment
I met Alexandra in 2010 at Concern’s annual Holiday Party for pediatric cancer patients at Paramount Studios.  In a room full of hundreds of pediatric cancer patients, Alexandra was the only one to expose her bald head as a result of the chemotherapy she was undergoing at the time.  16-years old, no hair, colorless skin, high-risk acute Lymphoblastic leukemia and this girl had more confidence than anyone in sight.  On top of this, she exuded love and positivity from the moment I approached her, acting nearly un-phased by her tough diagnoses and the illness and discomfort she was experiencing at that moment due to the treatment she had been receiving.  She completely blew me away.  

But here’s the kicker:  Her younger sister Lexi was diagnosed with the exact same cancer at 5 years old, too.  Alexandra watched her baby sister deal with the illness from the treatment, the discomfort, the idea of being “different” than her little friends…and then she, too, was diagnosed after Lexi went into remission.

Alexandra and her little sister Lexi, the day Lexi lost her hair 

Since 2010, Alexandra has been diagnosed with an unrelated secondary kind of cancer that is at Stage IV.  It’s a cancer of connective tissues that affects her muscles that are attached to her bones.  She has been treated non-stop since 2010 from California to Texas looking for a hopeful chance at remission. 

While I’ve been planning to run the NYC Marathon in Alexandra’s honor for months now, just this Monday I received a text message from her letting me know that the cancer has metastasized (spread throughout her body), and her doctors “have their work cut out for them”. 

Alexandra pre-diagnosis
There hasn’t been a much more motivating factor in my work with Concern than knowing Alexandra’s life is at risk.  She has affected me in every way; emotionally, personally, professionally. And while there may not be much we can do as individuals to save Alexandra’s chance at a long healthy life, we can all do our part to help make sure that there aren’t other Alexandra’s in the future.  To make sure that we are funding the right kind of research to develop preventative medicines, early detection methods and solid treatment options.  To give these patients, young or old, a dose of hope that they’ll be able to go on to live a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. 

Alexandra, Lexi and their third sister Lynsey in London on a Make-a-Wish Trip
As I write this, I'm about to leave the office to visit Alexandra.  She's having a blood transfusion tomorrow and who knows what that means in the long run.

So I’m asking you today if you’ll support me and Concern Foundation for Cancer Research, as I run 26.2 Miles through the 5 boroughs of New York City in honor of Alexandra, and every other adolescent that has battled this disease.  No amount is too little and every penny counts in our quest to “Conquer Cancer One Mile at a Time”.   Thank you for your support!


Alexandra and I at the 2012 Block Party

Monday, December 20, 2010

Call to Action from Concern Foundation

Thanks to the Event Nut  and everyone of our volunteers who tirelessly voted to help us win the LA Photo Party package a few months ago, we have this awesome new video that was shot at Concern's 23rd Annual Holiday Party at Paramount Studios on December 12th.

We are so fortunate to have had the chance to work with the Event Nut team and to have had this video put together at no cost for Concern.  Thank you to everyone who contributed!  Check it out...

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Women for Cancer Research Cookbook for Sale


After an incredibly successful first Women's for Concern Luncheon, we have plenty of cookbooks left over for sale.  At only $20/each, this is the best deal you'll find on the perfect holiday gift in town. 

To check out pictures from the great event, click here

To order, contact our office at info@concernfoundation.org or by calling 310-360-6100.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Conquering Cancer with Team Concern

Can you believe it's already that time again?  I suppose it doesn't help that I'm terrible at keeping up with this blog, but Team Concern is already in full swing for the 2011 Honda LA Marathon.  For the 2nd year in a row, Concern has been named one of 60 official charities as part of the LAM and we have every intention of making a statement on the course in March. 

Now that the marathon is officially a "sold-out" race, our 50 coveted spots for Team Concern are sure to go fast.  Who's ready to Conquer Cancer one Mile at a Time?  :-)



I'll be posting all of our exciting updates for the 2011 race in the next few days, but if you are just jumping out of your seat at a chance to be part of this awesome team and this even more awesome endeavor, register today!

To register to be part of Team Concern, to make a donation to one of our participants, or to learn more about Concern Foundation's goal to raise $100,000 in the 2011 LA Marathon, visit our official website at http://concern.kintera.org/lamarathon2011

For questions email me at kathryn@concernfoundation.org