"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

Team Gab just passed the $2,800 mark...

Last year, we raised $2,370. THANK YOU for helping me top that this year!

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Earlier this week, I posted to facebook a link to a report on a shortage of methotrexate.

Methotrexate is one of the most critical drugs in treating ALL, which is what Gabby has. She takes methotrexate at home, orally, via ELEVEN pills, every Thursday night. She receives an intrathecal dose every 12 weeks at the infusion center.

Remember a few months ago, when I posted the trick with putting the pill in the grapes?

That's the methotrexate. (Lucky for us, now she just takes them - all 11. She's pretty much my hero.)

Anyway. So this drug, it's a low-profit drug for the manufacturers. It's old, it's not doing a lot for their bottom line.

Apparently, their solution is to... stop making it. And then feign ignorance about WHY there is a shortage.

From the report:

"There are couple other drugs that can be injected into the spinal fluid, but none that are as effective," said Link. "As for the high dose version of the drug, there's no workaround for it."

THIS is why research and development of new treatments is so critical.

There is no workaround.

Gabby's hospital currently has a three month supply of methotrexate available. So for her lumbar in 3 weeks, she's fine. But the one following that?

Unless something changes, there could be none left.

"You're always faced with the problem of whether you can use something else that might work," said Link. "You know in your heart that you're compromising on the cure rate."

I've quoted these statistics before, but now seems like an appropriate time to restate them.

• Gabby is being treated with protocols that are DECADES old.
• New treatments have not been made available to treat childhood cancers for TWENTY years.
• Despite very aggressive therapies that approach the limits of tolerability for the child, the overall survival rate for childhood cancer has remained unchanged since 1998.

You can click HERE to donate to support research to find new treatments.


Ignore the broccoli.
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These other fine folks are fundraising, too - shop around for your favorite cause(s), and spread the love.

Jolene at Journey of a Canuck Mom on the Run is raising money for Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Pam is fundraising for Back on my Feet, a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running.

Lauren is taking the Polar Plunge in March. Proceeds from the Polar Plunge provide FREE year-round sports training and competition for the Special Olympics.

Trinity is running for LINK HERE) and Jana (LINK HERE) are raising money for the 100 Mile Club's Run4Kids. They will be running for 6 hours on a 1/4 mile track, cheering on the kids as they run to add miles towards their 100 mile goal. "Every $10 I raise will sponsor a student for a year, and my goal is to raise enough to sponsor 20 kids."

Lauren is supporting the American Diabetes Association, and riding a Tour de Cure.

Debbie is doing TWO events with Team In Training - America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride and Eleven Oconee Sprint Tri.

The MFDre is running Boston and raising money for Fred's Team, benefiting Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Michel at Baby Weight My Fat Ass is running the Chicago Marathon with Run For Autism.

HLove is and hosting a Virtual Run benefiting the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

Elisabeth is running her first FULL Ironman with
Team in Training.

Jana is running the Wine Country Half Marathon for Team Challenge and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. "Over 80% of every dollar I raise will directly fund the mission of CCFA" <---- I LOVE THAT STAT. Chelsea is running RnR San Diego Marathon, The Estes Park Half Marathon and the Mayors Marathon in Alaska for Team in Training - holy busy!

Kristi is running the Country Music Marathon for the Project Athena Foundation - their mission "to help women with medical or traumatic setbacks live their athletic and adventurous dreams as part of their recovery."

Caroline is running Race for the Cure for the Susan G Komen Foundation in LA on March 25th - if I'm available, I'm running with her! (as in, I may already be committed to something, not that I'm super high demand)


We runners sure are a giving bunch, eh?

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Check out The Jesse's Team Gab 5K report, and Molly the Sleeper Baker's treadmill 10K!

This week's Team Gab winner.....

My screen capture tool isn't working. That's cute.

Anyway, #36 according to random.org is Elizabeth from Running for Bling!! Elizabeth, check out the Team Gab giveaway page and let me know which prize you'd like!

......and, there are still a BILLION prizes left. I'm going to EXTEND THE VIRTUAL RACE deadline 2 weeks - through March 2nd, while I come up with a creative way to dispense prizes. {Any ideas on raffling these bad boys off?}

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Are YOU fundraising?? Link up in the comments!

Three Things Thursday

1. I've determined that there's a vast conspiracy that forces me to replace toilet paper everywhere I go. I'm not joking. I mean, I was when I was telling The H that I think I'm the only one that does it at home - and he said he doesn't remember the last time he had to... and we all know the kids won't.

So imagine my surprise, when I walk into the restroom at work, and find this.



Conspiracy. These are the things that keep me up at night.

2. Gabby is cracking me up lately. Shadow figures in broad daylight? Why not. (I have no idea why there's a helmet on her head...).

One glove? Of course.

But also cute...

3. I am LOVING your responses to my Gratitude Challenge!! Link HERE - What are YOU grateful for? Tell me, and you could win an Allied Medal Hanger :).

“For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude.”

Officially, this is post #200. Pretty fancy, eh?

When I started this blog 18 months ago, I was not a runner. I was just a working mom, trying to be responsible, live as an example to my kids, and build a happy life in a new place.

I toyed with frugality (still dislike). I cooked things. I started going to the gym. (But then I stopped). We toured my kitchen (thrill a minute). I tried (and failed, but kept trying) really hard to suck less. I became a little bit of a hippie, and started making my own laundry detergent and stopped using shampoo.... We took some trips to Big Bear, Joshua Tree, Yosemite. Played around with vegetarianism, a few times. I became a wedding photographer and florist (yes, I made the bouquet. I know, it's lovely.). We went camping. Twice. I reallllly sucked at meal planning.

I ran my first 5K. The race that started it all.

That's a lie. I was pleased to be done. And didn't run again for 3 months.

But then I did.

And I ran my first "serious" race. Okay, it was a Turkey Trot, but the first race I took seriously. And I did okay.

There was all of this... That really sucked.

What didn't suck? The $2000+ that we raised for Pediatric Cancer Research. That rocked.

I ran the Princess Half. That also didn't suck.

I ran another half, a bit later. That one kind of did suck. What didn't suck was the 30 minute PR.


It's been an interesting 18 months.

It's been a supremely challenging 6 months.

I've been kind of... funk-ish lately, as per my last few posts. I'm spending a lot of time in my head being disgruntled. I am sad at what Gabby has to go through. I'm annoyed at #1 and #2 acting out a bit, and annoyed that I'm annoyed at their understandable and justified reactions. I'm angry at the financial situation this put us in. I'm bummed about all the things we're missing out on, all the trips we had planned that we can't take.

My head has not been in the game.

However...
I have three beautiful kids.
I have a supportive H.
I am HEALTHY and ABLE to run.
I have a job that provides food, water, shelter, and clothing.
I have tapped into a fantastic, supportive network of funny, inspirational, and compassionate people.
I live in a place that I love.
I have access to amazing doctors and a fantastic oncology team.
I live in a fantastic school district that challenges and engages my kids.
I have good friends.

I am grateful, for so many things. I might forget that, sometimes, but I am.

I am also grateful for the people who read this nonsense. All 154 or whatever of you, plus google reader followers :D.

So....


A 200th Post Giveaway!

I've got an Allied Medal Hanger to giveaway, plus a Mystery Box of Awesome Things. What's in the mystery box? I'm not telling. But I may give you a hint as the week goes on... I promise it will be fun, useful, and unisex!

Here's how to enter....

1. You must be AN EXISTING FOLLOWER OR READER. IE, this can't be your first time wandering through and pretending. We'll go on the honor system here, but since this is a giveaway for existing readers, please be honest :).

2. Tell me what YOU'RE grateful for. 1 comment for each, 1 entry for each... how many things can you come up with?

It's a challenge, that will hopefully brighten your day and get your head back in the game.

Giveaway ends next Friday, June 10th at midnight.

Ready, set... GO.