Running in the (Pouring) Rain: Myeloma Crowd raises $10k!

On Saturday, William and I joined other Myeloma supporters in Utah and we ran the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival Half Marathon/5k. It was super fun and very extremely wet. It poured rain. By the time we were done, we were drenched. But who cares? We had a lot of fun and, best yet, we raised $10k for the Myeloma Crowd to help support clinical trials for multiple myeloma.

The only way treatments and cures for disease are discovered is through clinical trials. Many patients do not participate in clinical trials because they don't want to get a placebo or be a guinea pig. But the reality is that if you participate in a clinical trial, you're getting the best treatment available or the next wave of "best" treatments. And oftentimes, patients don't participate in a clinical trial because there insurance won't cover the cost of treatment or the patient cannot afford to travel to where the clinical trial is taking place. Raising funds to support clinical trials is essential.

A few days prior, Jenny and I met with a professor at BYU to discuss getting an intern to help with the Myeloma Crowd efforts. To that end, we are giving a presentation to his students next week about multiple myeloma, how we were diagnosed, how the disease is treated, and our efforts to help find treatments and cures. We are crossing our fingers that we get some help!

And a few days before that, I had a very long chat with Senator Lee's (R-UT) office. Several weeks prior, I had called Senator Lee's office to discuss Obamacare. It took awhile because it was something the PR director wanted to discuss in depth with Senator Lee before she called me back. We spent close to an hour on the phone. It was a spirited debate but I sincerely appreciated her time. I am not a fan of Senator Lee. In fact, I have told people that if I ran into him at, say, an airport, it would be hard for me not to spit in his face. I find him arrogant and an obstructionist. But after the call with his PR director, I've slightly softened my stance. Yes, he wants a full repeal of Obamacare. But he proposes that Obamacare be phased out as a new/better plan is phased in. He recognizes that Obamacare cannot be repealed with nothing to replace it immediately. In my opinion, however, Obamacare is going nowhere and the Republicans should start helping to make it better and helping those who can't seem to navigate it instead of more political posturing. Such is politics.

My life's path

I just finished having a very fun and productive lunch with my friend K. Together, we are going to help women live better, more productive, and healthier lives. I am excited. I feel empowered and optimistic today.

So after a little thought (like 30 minutes of thought), I am putting together my life's goal. I have found my passion and sharing and helping others is what matters to me.

So my goals are:

1. Helping other domestic abuse victims. I want to help others recognize abuse and find the courage to leave it behind. I will accomplish this by writing and speaking publicly about my experiences.

2. Health (emotional, physical and spiritual): There is a powerful mind-body connection and conventional medicine is just one small piece of it. I will help others achieve their optimal health in any way I can. I will do this by writing on my blog, participating in radio programs, attending and organizing seminars, and practicing what I preach.

3. Making a difference in the cancer community: Helping other cancer warriors, their caregivers and their families to beat this disease is imperative. We warriors are so much more powerful than we think and, in many cases, we can work in tandem with the medical community to achieve maximum results.

4. Healthcare: Other than food and shelter, there is nothing more important than having access to quality healthcare. Hence the need for good health insurance. In this country, we are at a critical juncture in the healthcare debate and I want to make sure my story is told loud and often. So share I will! I will continue meeting with political leaders, writing, and speaking about my story.

I feel like now that I've shared this with you, I am on a mission. Firmly. Moving forward.