I was lucky enough to get to attend Pediatric Research Day today, sponsored by LeBonheur Children's Hospital. At that conference, I heard 2 presentations on research being done at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In these presentations, several case studies were reviewed, looking at how new technology is helping save the lives of children, as young as 2 or 3 years of age, with brain tumors. Listening to an actual brain surgeon talk about how he was able to save a child, keep them cancer free, and give them a wonderful quality of life was humbling. However, it is expensive to do such amazing things. One of the machines, an Intraoperative MRI, costs a staggering 8 MILLION DOLLARS. At the risk of sounding like a MasterCard commercial... saving a child's life: PRICELESS.
Today's conference really reinforced the impact the St. Jude Marathon will have on the help that can be offered to these children and families. The 2011 Marathon has already raised over 2.5 million dollars. As a St. Jude Hero, I can proudly say I contributed over $700 to that. Before my shoes are even tied, I can easily say that it will be a day that will forever live in my memory, and one of the greatest accomplishments I have ever achieved.
With your help, we can throw a few more dollars towards St. Jude and the tremendous things they are doing for people in need. Please, if you have not already, donate- even if it is $5, every little bit helps!
And once again, to all of you that have helped, an unconditional "thank you" is sent your way. It means so much to me that this day can be about more than just the race- it's about saving lives.
