June 24: A Day of Giving

Today was spent away from the running shoes, away from the bike, away from the pool. It was spent with fellow team mates Rob and Amelia, and we worked together on our first bucket drive in Royal Oak. Though it was a long day and we were on our feet the whole time, we had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people. Our task was simple -- to educate people why we were invading a small corner of their neighborhood supermarket for the day.

"Would you like to help us in our fight against cancer?" we would say to those who entered the store. Some would stare, some would smile, some would just walk away. But then others would pause, contimplate, and ask for more details. Many people donated what they could, be it a few coins, a few dollars, and in many cases, their returnables. One woman, visually moved by our mission, quietly approached us, softly said that her mother had cancer, handed us a $100 bill, and walked away. It was her silence that was the loudest message, it was her eyes that spoke the loudest plea.


Make a difference.
Make an impact.
Stop this cancer once and for all.
PLEASE.


I won't forget that look she gave us, and I pray someday her wish and that of so many others will come true.

At the end of the day, we had heard dozens of stories of those who had won the battle against blood cancers, and sadly, some stories of those who had lost. It was a very rewarding experience, not just from a fundraising aspect, but from a spiritual aspect as well. It was nice to connect with the community in a different way.

Just a note for those of you reading this today: there are many chapters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, not just the one I'm involved in. If you ever see us in a fundraising effort, just know that it isn't the amount that you give, it's the gesture of giving. You may not think a couple of coins in the pocket mean much, but they do. Because in the end, it's your support, unjudged and always appreciated, that will help all of us in Team in Training to reach our goal.

Thank you to everyone that gave today.

A special thanks to store director Tom C. (pictured), of Hollywood Market in Royal Oak, whose help was invaluable! You and your staff were awesome to work with and we really appreciate it!!!

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Check out my fundraising progress at:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/DunCAN

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