Caring is good, doing something is better.

This is my mantra. I read it on a billboard in downtown Seattle one day walking to work. I had just recently completed over nine months of physical rehabilitation. During my rehab I did a lot of mental introspection. The events in Germany changed who I was inside, my perspectives on my life, and what I could do to be a better person. I believe that individuals who have faced their own mortality are truly the only ones who can understand. Others who have yet to share that experience can only say they understand, but I don't believe they do.

I truly believe that although I wasn't a bad person before, there was a lot of room for improvement. How do I know? Well... that's a story for another day.

Caring is good, doing something is better.

It sounds so simple. So as I walked along the Seattle sidewalk I though to myself "What could I do?" That question played itself over and over in my mind until one sleepless night while I was deployed in Iraq. I had a dream that I was speaking to a group of people about organ and tissue donation. Shortly thereafter I found myself home again, managing my disease.

Remembering my dream I began to research how to make my dream become reality. I soon began volunteering with the Living Legacy Foundation and with in months was speaking to high school kids around the Puget Sound area. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to people about my experiences, and the related issues. But I wanted more. I then decided to use one of my gifts I had nearly lost a few years earlier, running, to try and gain exposure and raise money to increase organ and tissue donation awareness.

I ran my first marathon in the fall of 2006, the Seattle Marathon, and with the help of my supporters, raised over $3200 for organ donation. I swore after the race that I would never participate in another marathon. Instead I participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a friend of mine who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It was amazing! It was both the most physically demanding thing I've ever done, as well as the most emotionally fulfilling event I've participated in. Together my supporters and I raised $2200! During those sixty miles I truly saw the catalyst for change that I could become.

Then along came the 2007 Seattle Marathon. Refocused, I decided to give it another try and again raised nearly $3300 for organ donation! It was another amazing experience and I am now hooked.

My newest challenge is raising $4000 for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a member of their Team in Training. Once I've raised $4000 they will send me to San Diego in June to run the Rock-n-Roll marathon! I am so excited! With the generous help from one of my closest supporters, Chris & Sara Davis, we've put together a nice memorabilia collection that will hopefully help us raise the $4000.

I have also recently learned that a member of my beloved Minnesota Vikings, Kenechi Udeze (story), has been recently diagnosed with leukemia. To show my support I will be crossing the finish line in San Diego wearing his jersey. Godspeed Kenechi, get better.

Won't you join us.

Caring is good, doing something is better.

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