As you all know I have been running longer than I have known how to tie my shoes. For the most part running has always been a part of my life and has provided an escape for me whether it was to compete, alleviate stress, fitness, or just for sheer enjoyment. I LOVE RUNNING! Recently, I learned a friend and colleague of mine was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. Jeff Blount, a teacher and coach at Salem High School was a friend and mentor to me while I taught at Salem. He and his family have been through a great deal of obstacles in his fight with cancer, most recently lymphoma meningitis. After reading the blog he and his family created, I decided I needed to do something to help, but what?? Jeff has been involved with football since he was in the womb – seriously – can you imagine, 41 years of football? He has taught high school social studies and coached football since graduating from college. AND, he is probably the biggest die-hard University of Georgia fan I know. Jeff has had an impact like no other on the students and people around him. I don’t think I can recall a conversation we had without a mention of football or running. He really does love the game! I think Jeff loves football as much as I love running, SO, I decided I would start “RUNNING WITH PURPOSE”. This October, I plan to run the Columbus ½ marathon, and with each step I run, it is my intention to “STOMP OUT CANCER”. Jeff is in for the game/race of his life, and he needs a lot of special team and defensive players to help him battle this enemy that has taken over his body. What am I going to do? As Jeff would say, “DO NOT FEAR”, I am planning to “RUN THROUGH THE FINISH AN D OUTRUN CANCER”. I will be running 5 races in the next 12 months totaling 45.5 miles. These races include:
Columbus ½ marathon 13.1 miles October 19, 2008
Harvest 5K 3.1 miles November 22, 2008
Rodes City Run 6.2 miles March 21, 2009
Papa John’s Ten Miler 10.0 miles April 11, 2009
Louisville Mini-Marathon 3.1 miles April 25, 2009
My goal is to raise $5000.00 for the Jeff Blount Fund. If you would like to sponsor me in this endeavor, all contributions will go directly to the Jeff Blount Fund at the Bank of North Georgia or you can send donations directly to Jeff Blount Fund, c/o Bank of North Georgia, 1981 Highway 138, Conyers, GA, 30094. You can visit Jeff’s blog at http://jeffblount.blogspot.com/. If you would like to participate and “RUN WITH PURPOSE” all you need to do is sign up for a local race and raise money to contribute to the Jeff Blount Fund. Any amount you contribute will be very appreciated by Jeff and his family. Please help me “RUN WITH PURPOSE” and help Jeff through this fight. Join me in helping give back to someone who has given so much to his community.
Sincerely,
Melanie Mahoney
Columbus ½ marathon 13.1 miles October 19, 2008
Harvest 5K 3.1 miles November 22, 2008
Rodes City Run 6.2 miles March 21, 2009
Papa John’s Ten Miler 10.0 miles April 11, 2009
Louisville Mini-Marathon 3.1 miles April 25, 2009
My goal is to raise $5000.00 for the Jeff Blount Fund. If you would like to sponsor me in this endeavor, all contributions will go directly to the Jeff Blount Fund at the Bank of North Georgia or you can send donations directly to Jeff Blount Fund, c/o Bank of North Georgia, 1981 Highway 138, Conyers, GA, 30094. You can visit Jeff’s blog at http://jeffblount.blogspot.com/. If you would like to participate and “RUN WITH PURPOSE” all you need to do is sign up for a local race and raise money to contribute to the Jeff Blount Fund. Any amount you contribute will be very appreciated by Jeff and his family. Please help me “RUN WITH PURPOSE” and help Jeff through this fight. Join me in helping give back to someone who has given so much to his community.
Sincerely,
Melanie Mahoney
1 comment:
Melanie,
Congratulations on the new baby! We are so appreciative of all of the support we are receiving and it means a lot knowing that even in KY, you are still thinking about us. This is a great idea and we loved reading the letter that you composed. Thank you so much!
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