Off Topic, But Close to Our Heart

In the U.S., one out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop cancer in their lifetime. I became one of those people in 2003 when, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with cancer. It is five years later and I am still dealing with the disease and the complications I have encountered from my treatments.

My way of fighting back against cancer is to do something about it... 

I do so by competing in triathlons, marathons, and various other shorter races in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since 2002, my supporters have helped me raise over $70,000.  My season this year is just getting started but my ultimate goal is to complete Ironman Wisconsin in September, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run.

But, Ironman is about much more than propelling myself 140.6 miles in one day.  It's about not giving in to all the limitations cancer has imposed on me, but viewing them as challenges that ultimately make the race even sweeter by overcoming them. It's about going from not being able to open my eyes without being sick, having difficulty sitting upright and being too weak to stand by myself, to completing the ultimate test of human endurance. It's about raising money for the American Cancer Society so that nobody else has to go through what I have. It's about remembering those we have lost and honoring those who fight every day to try to live a normal life despite a disease that tries to tear them down. It's about fighting for something much bigger than me so that nobody will have a reason to worry about or cry over the financial, emotional and physical load with which cancer has burdened them. It's about rising above…I am better than anything cancer has done or will ever do
to me!

If you would like to contribute to my fundraising, you can donate online by visiting my website.

To mail a donation, make all checks payable to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY with my name, KRISTIN MCQUEEN, on the memo line. This is important so I can keep track of my contributors. Mail to:
Charity Runner
Attn: Dawn Kobel
225 N. Michigan Ave Suite 1210
Chicago, IL 60601

100% of the funds raised go to the American Cancer Society. I appreciate all that you are able to do to help this organization continue to fund research projects and provide support services.

Thank you,
Kristin McQueen

Comments

[CPSDarren]

I've sponsored Kristin for a number of years- it's a great cause and she could use your help to reach her goal!

Good luck, Kristin!