Hi Rally-ers!

So I don’t know if many of you have been keeping up with my recent blog posts, but recently, I have taken it upon myself to participate in local athletic events. This has been such a great way to get involved with my local community all while getting fit. Not to mention that my running has inspired me to tackle a whole other venture: running a half marathon.

I won’t lie to you all, I am not a runner and I don’t particularly enjoy running. There are many things I would much rather do early in the morning on a Saturday or Sunday. So, I’ve taken it upon myself when signing up for races to find the most creative races out there that truly try to make the runner’s experience as fun as possible.

Recently, I participated in the Color Run in Atlanta. This 5K is advertised as “the happiest 5k on Earth,” and boy did they live up to that statement! I cannot tell you just how excited I got while being doused in color! The Color Run isn’t the only themed race I have done recently. On Cinco de Mayo, I participated in a 5K called the Stache Dash and had a truly fabulous time. My friends and I dressed up in mustaches and Mexican-themed attire to race in honor of the holiday.

So if you are like me and are a reluctant runner, I encourage you to find races that motivate you through fun activities. Rally has many opportunities for you in this arena. If a 5k is your thing, then check out the Ryder 5K, a Halloween-themed 5K race taking place in October in Marietta, GA. The race is held in honor of Rally Kid Ryder and her battle with a brain tumor.

If you are a much more avid runner, then check out the fun races we have planned for our Rally Athlete program. The Disneyland Half Marathon may be in California, but the trip is totally worth it for the fun and games that Disney provides along the route. You will have an awesome time running while stopping to take pictures with lovable Disney characters such as Goofy, Mickey, and Minnie.

So consider putting your energy to use and hit the ground running with one of Rally’s fun athletic opportunities. I know I’m up for the challenge. Are you?

Rally On!

Lisa

Our Rally Athletes in the NW have spent months training and fundraising in preparation for the Portland Rock’n'Roll Half Marathon this weekend. For some of them, this is their second race this season as they participated in the Tacoma City Marathon as well. They have raised $57,000 for childhood cancer research in honor or memory of their Rally Kids. We are so proud of them, and excited for the weekend ahead! Please be sure to follow our Rally Athlete Training Team Facebook page for after race updates and opportunities for upcoming races!

Here are some pictures from the team at the Tacoma City Marathon, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When our Rally Athletes who were present to support Cherish to the finish were asked what this picture meant to them, here is what they said:

Determination, support and family! ~Walter

It is incredible and wonderful that a brave little girl could bring all of us together and inspire us to do things none of us felt we could do or for some of us ever thought we’d want to do. There is no going back, we are family now and we will support each other in every part of this journey. Rain or shine, sick or well. Love this Rally Family! ~Nicki

When Rally says they’ll get you across the finish line… they mean it. We Rally for the kids, we Rally for research, and we Rally for each other! ~Mette

One of the best days of my life thanks to Mia and our Rally family. Little Mia will forever inspire the best in each of us, pushing us to go the extra mile, bringing us together to help others. She and our other Rally kids help us show the world the fundraising and athletic feats our small Rally family can achieve with simple acts of kindness, grace and care. This photo captures a moment of support, solidarity and the beauty of kind hearted souls. Rally On!! ~Cherish

A Rally Kid Mom’s Perspective
Written by TiaAnna Condon, mom of Rally Kid Celah

I don’t want to be one of those people who talk about all of the things cancer can’t take from you. It can take everything, including your children. I will say this, I have learned things from my experience, things I don’t think you can really learn any other way. I still wish I didn’t know them.

When my twins were first born, I was like every other mom, eyes newly opened to this scary dangerous world we lived in and obsessing over everything from the possibility that any number of crazy drivers would run into me while I had the kids in the car, to the possible chemicals in a plastic bottle. Never cancer though, never cancer.

I don’t want to be self righteous, I am not going to pretend that before my daughter was diagnosed, I never had a bad day, and I know that your world can feel like its falling apart even if you aren’t facing a life stealing disease.

However, although I will listen to anyone sympathetically when they tell me about their house burning to the ground, losing all of their early possessions, getting fired, or breaking both legs and an arm, I will be secretly jealous. I will wish that had been my trial.

Because when I say that I would rather face anything, and I mean anything, than witness the suffering of my little girl, I really mean it. So far, I have been one of the lucky ones, through all of the wretched torture that my daughter endured, she is still here with me today, and for some strange reason she still loves me.

She is the epitome of child like trust, and I will spend the rest of eternity trying to learn how to trust my Heavenly Father the way my little girl trusts me. I was there with her every second of the way, for every horrible thing that happened to her, I was there holding her down. She may have forgiven me, but I think I will have a hard time ever forgiving myself.

So cancer has stripped me of almost everything that I thought I was before it came into my life and this is what I have left.

When I think I am having a bad day, I know that I am really not. When I have had less than six hours of sleep in three days and my steroid ridden daughter who has been on a morphine drip for weeks feels up to playing, then play we will, at three in the morning.

When one of my children wakes up at night crying, I don’t wish I could be sleeping. I am treasuring the sound.

I have learned how to live in the moment, we couldn’t wait until all of the “medical stuff” to be over to enjoy life. We had to make precious memories along the way, and we did. Sometimes when I am with my children and my husband in my own home, I feel like life is too good to be true, my heart gives a little squeeze of fear and I look over my shoulder, anxiously checking to see if cancer will try to steal this from me again. But then I look into my children’s eyes and promise them they we will have no regrets. I will never look back on my life and wish that I had stepped away from some distraction to give my children or my husband more love. Because I am giving them everything I have got. Every flipping minute that we have together will be filled with as much love I can cram into it, because no one but God knows how many each of us have.

On Tuesday, 70 nurses at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta wore Rally t-shirts in support of their co-worker Claire. Claire’s brother, Will, was the original Rally Kid and inspiration for Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Will passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. He will be missed but will continue to inspire us all!

Rally On!

Hi Rally-ers!

I am always so inspired by the strength and determination that childhood cancer patients show as they battle their illness and go through treatment. I saw this video the other day and just knew I had to share it with all of you. It is a video of patients and nurses singing along to Kelly Clarkson’s latest hit song “Stronger.” The lyrics and the video are a wonderful testament to just how strong these patients are as they battle their disease. Even Ms. Clarkson herself posted about it on her official Facebook page and said “Oh my goodness y’all have to see this! It’s beautiful! I can’t wait to visit these kids and nurses! It’s Seattle Children’s Hospital, I believe. God Bless y’all!” Enjoy!

Rally On!

Lisa

Hi Rally-ers!

I don’t know about you guys, but my favorite uniform for when I am relaxing at home is to throw on a t-shirt and jeans. I have a multitude of t-shirts from various activities that I took part in back in college and even in high school that I still wear to this day. Since joining the Rally staff,  I have only added to my t-shirt collection with shirts from events, general Rally t-shirts, and Rally Athlete t-shirts. Some of my favorite Rally t-shirts are those that I got from Rally Kid t-shirt fundraisers.

Rally Kid t-shirt fundraisers are a wonderful way to honor the special Rally Kid in your life. Whether you are a parent who would like to organize it, or you know of a Rally Kid family, this is a great way to put on a fun, interactive fundraiser, not to mention that it is pretty simple! Rally will design a t-shirt that includes your Rally Kid’s favorite t-shirt color (of course, if available), and a saying that expresses your Rally Kid’s favorite motto.

Rally Kid t-shirts are really, the perfect way to show support for the special Rally kid in your life. So consider looking into starting one up yourself! Visit the Rally website by clicking here or e-mail me by sending an e-mail to lisa@rallyfoundation.org.

Rally On!

Lisa

Hi Rally-ers!

Two weeks ago, I took a short little vacation down to Orlando for a friend’s wedding. Of course, since I was in Orlando, I just had to go by Disney World to enjoy the most magical place on earth!

I headed down a few days early before the wedding so that I could enjoy Disney for a day. I had a wonderful time at the Magic Kingdom and got to hop on over to Epcot for a bit as well. Although I am 24 years old, I still felt like a little child when I entered through the gates of Magic Kingdom, especially when I saw the first glimpses of Cinderella’s Castle!

One thing I have always wanted to do is participate in a Run Disney event. This year, we will have a Rally Athlete team visit California to participate in the Disneyland Half Marathon on September 2, 2012. Though I have never been to Disneyland in California, I would imagine it is a lot like Disney World and would be an incredible place to run in! Though I won’t be able to go run this marathon, I hope that some of you readers out there might get inspired and sign up to be on our Rally Athlete team!

Should you wish to learn more about what being a Rally Athlete is all about, be sure to visit our website.

Rally On!

Lisa

In four days our Rally Athletes will be lacing up and running the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon! Our Rally Athlete Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon team has raised over $12,000 for Childhood Cancer Research!!

Runners we wish you the best of luck! And we will see you at the finish line!

Interested in becoming a Rally Athlete? Join our 13.1 Atlanta Half Marathon Training Team!

The Rally and Repeat Club is Rally’s monthly giving plan. Being a member of the club allows you to consistently make a difference in childhood cancer research – without writing checks or mailing envelopes. Once you sign up for the club, there is nothing else for you to do. Your contributions will continue to be transferred on a regular basis. The giving amount can range from $10-$100, every donation helps us work towards our mission of finding cures and better treatments for childhood cancer research!

Benefits of Membership
• Satisfaction in knowing you are helping to fund childhood cancer research
• Convenience – no writing checks or mailing envelopes for your recurring gifts
• Flexibility – if you wish to change your giving amount at any time• Regular updates through e-blasts
• Annual summary of gifts
• Rally Pin upon enrollment

Rally and Repeat Club gifts guarantee Rally regular and predictable funds, allowing us to fund childhood cancer research and provide family assistance to those in need. They allow us to keep our overhead down and increase the impact of your gift.

Click here to become a member today!

I AM STRONG YET WEAK

I am strong yet weak.

I wonder when the doctors will find a cure.

I hear doctors talking outside my door.

I see people around me all in tears.

I want all children to be free from Cancer.

I have a strong heart but weak muscles.

I am strong yet weak.

I use to pretend that I was in the majors.

I feel the ups and downs after treatments.

I touch the hearts of all my closest friends and family.

I love all my nurses that stayed up with me at 3AM because I didn’t feel good.

I worry that one day the Cancer will come back.

I eat pasta and steak to gain back my weight.

I cry when I hear another child earns their wings.

I am strong yet weak.

I understand that Cancer changes lives.

I know God helped me through the worst of times.

I smile when I see children with Cancer doing good.

I dream that Cancer never existed.

I try to forget that I had Cancer.

I hope I stay Cancer Free FOREVER.

I am strong yet weak.

Written by Rally Kid Jordan