Hello one last time from Lindsey at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. It’s been so fun blogging on behalf of Team Gilda’s Club this year, thanks for reading our blog!

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is so grateful to have been selected by the Fifth Third River Bank Run as a charity partner for the second year in a row and we look forward to adding more runners and walkers to Team Gilda’s Club in 2011. It’s never too early to start training for next year!

Special thanks to Everest volunteers for pampering our runners!

A thumbs up from Team Gilda's Club members!

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Hello from Lindsey at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Can you believe the run is already this Saturday? Where did the time go? The whole town seems to be buzzing about race day: what the weather will be like, who was inspired to run for what cause… and what colors they will be wearing.

Team Gilda's Club runners enjoying a delicious pasta dinner!

Last night, our Team Gilda’s Club runners gathered at our Grand Rapids Clubhouse for a delicious pasta dinner and reception in their honor hosted by my co-worker Afton, who has been our runners’ connection to Gilda’s Club and their biggest fan, cheering them on and motivating them every step of the “training” way! It was so exciting to see our Team Gilda’s Club members gather together to pump each other up for the big day. There were smiles and laughter all around as they picked up their fresh, new, RED Gilda’s t-shirts and shared in the victory of pledges raised, with more coming in even this week. 

Check out that yummy spread! Plenty of fuel for this weekend's race!

I’ve been sharing so many inspirational stories from our runners on this blog and so I thought, why not share one more before race day? Come on, it’s my one last chance!

Lowell resident Aaron Kroemer signed up to run for Team Gilda’s Club late in the game (hey-he admits it!), but he’s been passionate about Gilda’s for a long time now. Let’s hear in his words why he was inspired to run.

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Aaron Kroemer’s mother-in-law Julia was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, although she never smoked. 

“The doctors thought she would live six to nine months, maybe a year, because it was stage IV at diagnosis. She made it six years, and lived with us during her treatments and recovery,” Aaron says.

Julia had five siblings, eight grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, and she had to break the news to all of them. 

“This family hadn’t been through a cancer diagnosis before, and it was so hard on everyone,” Aaron remembers.

As he went through treatments at Julia’s side, Aaron saw so many families struggling with the realities of cancer.

“I was seeing young kids with cancer, which is heart-wrenching every single time, and seeing people trying to continue working even with a terminal disease because they still have to take care of their family. This is such an arbitrary, indiscriminate, horrible disease that devastates entire families. That is why I believe in the support found at Gilda’s Club, because there aren’t words to describe the good that you do at a time when it is absolutely crucial.”

Aaron says it wasn’t until he lived with someone who had cancer that he was able to realize the courage and the strength that Gilda Radner, the late Saturday Night Live comedian and namesake of Gilda’s Club, really had during her cancer journey.

“I can only imagine how weak and sick she must have felt, but was still determined to make something good come of a terrible situation. If I can help in any small way, I’d like to.”

_______________________________________________________________________________

Aaron, you are helping. Thank you so much for your dedication to Gilda’s Club and for running as part of our team this year!

And to all of our Team Gilda’s Club runners, we wish you nothing but the best this Saturday. Remember, after you run your race, we will be waiting in the Gilda’s Club team tent to pamper you! THANK YOU for your incredible passion for our mission and for the lives you are impacting in our community. With every step you run, you are making a difference for local families living with cancer and grief. We’ll see you at the finish line!

For more information about the cancer and grief support for all ages available at Gilda’s Club in Grand Rapids and Lowell, please visit www.gildasclubgr.org.

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Saturday, May 8, the finish line is in sight.  The hand cyclists, road racers, runners and walkers are nearing the end of their long road of training.  Of course, the race itself needs to be completed.  For those raising money and rolling or running for GRWSA, these are the last few days to round up those donations.  This has been the big media week for GRWSA.

On Monday, May 3, WOOD TV 8 and Jack Doles–the road warrior running for GRWSA–ran a story on the new GRWSA hand cycling team.  Some will be racing in the 25K on Saturday.  Here is the link to the story http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/river_bank_run/Hand-cyclists-preparing-for-River-Bank

Also, on Monday, May 3, The Grand Rapids Press ran a story focusing on Anne Gallup–a GRWSA board member and one who signed up to run and raise money for GRWSA.  http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/05/admiration_for_wheelchair_athl.html.  Anne has been going gang busters to raise $2,500 for GRWSA.  To help her reach her goal and support GRWSA visit http://www.active.com/donate/grwsa/aagallup.

Two of our Junior hand cyclists–Tabitha and Tyler (no, they are not related)–have also gone gangbusters to raise funds for an organization they have gotten so much from over the years.  Between the two of them, they have raised $2,000!

Being a charity partner with the River Bank Run has been a great opportunity for GRWSA and adaptive sports.  We look forward to the next two years.

Runners (and rollers) take your marks, set….

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Thank you to our pledge runners who have so far collectively raised almost $11,000!

Race Day is in t-minus 5 days and we couldn’t be more excited to meet you all, give you a hug (or high-five…or wave!) and say thank you for all you are doing to support  our local Red Cross chapter. What you are doing is making a difference. I know it can sound cliche to say that but it’s so true — the funds you raise make a difference to people in our community — like the 14 families we helped this past weekend after a terrible apartment fire. When you can provide someone with something as simple as a place to stay, a hot meal, a stuffed animal — it makes a difference.

Though the Red Cross is “big,” what we do and how we serve is a collection of many small things. And as pledge runners, walkers, donors, supporters and volunteers, you are the pieces that make up the bigger picture of the Red Cross.

Thanks.

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Dear KFB, Thank you for the delicious sack suppers. I really like the chewy and soft sandwich. They help me learn and think better. I love the cremy penutbutter. I wish everyone in the mitten of Michgin could get one. Your freind, Marisa ———- (Thank you note from one of our kids, no changes made!)

Kinda says it all, eh?

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We are almost to the big day! Degage is thrilled to have over 85 runners and walkers participating on our behalf! We can’t wait to see you all on May 8th!

We are also excited to announce that our Road Warrior, Adam Barr, as scheduled a benefit concert on behalf of Degage! On Tuesday, May 4th bring your friends and family to Bobbarino’s in The B.O.B to hear “Men Not Rabbits,” a local Grand Rapids band. You can come and eat, relax, and enjoy the music. If you like what you hear we encourage any size donations to benefit Degage Ministires and our programs. We will see you at The B.O.B on May 4th!

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As well as being a dedicated local organization here in West Michigan that serves over 60,000 people each year, your local Red Cross chapter is part of the larger network of the American Red Cross, whose arms are felt not only down the street, but across the country and around the world. I wanted to show you some truly astounding national statistics that help paint a broader picture of the effects of the money you raise, the time you give and the blood you donate.

Every Day…

200 families who lost everything in a house fire or other disaster are helped by American Red Cross volunteers.

475 deployed service members are connected with their families through Red Cross emergency messaging.

19,000 people outside the US receive urgent care following a disaster from the Red Cross and our partners.

21,000 people receive a blood transfusion from a Red Cross donor.

43,000 people receive life-saving Red Cross health, safety and preparedness training.

290,000 children receive a measles vaccination from the Red Cross and partners.

Every 60 seconds, the life-saving mission of the American Red Cross has benefited 250 people.

For the over 100 people who are already Running for the Red, thank you and keep raising those pledges! If you are interested in becoming a pledge runner for the Red Cross, it’s easy! Click here for more information.

[Photo credit: Talia Frenkel, American Red Cross]

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Hello from Lindsey at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Many are back into their routines after a refreshing Spring Break last week, and many of our Team Gilda’s Club runners are hitting the pavement outside to train (talk about perfect running weather this weekend, huh?) It’s getting so close to race day-less than a month away!

We are so glad to have an inspirational story from our very own Road Warrior: Jordan Cook. The Fifth Third River Bank Run organizers have been wonderful to team up Road Warriors with Charity Partners this year. When I think about the Road Warriors, I think about support and teamwork. Jordan and all of our Team Gilda’s Club runners are supporting our mission in exactly the same way our members support each other on their cancer or grief journey. Jordan is training for the big race with the help of a team (his fellow Road Warriors and RunGR) and at Gilda’s Club, our members are a team of support-they rally around each other as they learn to embrace the changes that cancer and grief bring to their lives: learning, sharing and, yes, even laughing, along the way.  

Now let’s hear from Jordan-in his own words!

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Jordan Cook is a Road Warrior for Gilda's Club!

Jordan Cook is running for Team Gilda’s Club this year as part of the Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warriors. 

“While I have never personally used the Gilda’s Club support program, I have had family members go through the struggles of cancer and illness, and I know how difficult it was to deal with all of the emotions,” Jordan says. “I have heard so many good things about Gilda’s Club and about the people they help, and really had a strong ambition to help them raise money.”

This is Jordan’s second time running the Fifth Third River Bank Run. He is training to run the 25K, with a goal to beat 1:52!

“Running for a cause motivates me because it makes me feel like I am running for a bigger purpose than just myself.  I know that every step I take, and every dollar I raise, will go towards helping somebody out there overcome his or her battles.”

Jordan has some advice for others who are considering running for a charity partner like Gilda’s Club: don’t hesitate. 

“If you have any inkling whatsoever that you might want to run for someone, just step up and do it! Even if you only think you can raise a little bit, every little bit helps. Just spreading the word about the cause or charity can help enormously.”

He says it also doesn’t matter if you have never ran, or walked, in a race before.

“The most important thing is to have fun and just enjoy the training. Running can do amazing things if you just relax and take it all in, and not place a huge amount of pressure on yourself to meet a specific goal. For your first year, just take in the setting and those around you.”

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Thanks so much Jordan for being our Gilda’s Road Warrior and we wish you luck with beating your goal this year. We know your training team will be behind you every step of the way, just like our members are here for each other.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our ALL of Team Gilda’s Club members who are getting ready for Race Day! Thank you for your incredible support and dedication to our mission.

For more information about joining Team Gilda’s Club, please visit www.gildasclubgr.org and click on “Help Us.” Please know that 100% of every single dollar raised stays right here in West Michigan and makes a difference to thousands of local families impacted by cancer or grief.

Cancer and grief don’t take a “Spring Break” and so our clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell are open as usual this week, welcoming those on a cancer or grief journey. We have something for all ages: children, families and friends.

If you’re reading this blog, please tell someone you know living with cancer or grief about the free social and emotional support available to them at Gilda’s Club in Grand Rapids and Lowell. Please direct them to www.gildasclubgr.org to find out more. Tell them that just like Jordan Cook and his training team, our members are here to support anyone on a cancer or grief journey.

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2009 Girls on the Run donates 500 pairs of shoes to In The Image

When the girls return from spring break this week, many will begin the portion of the curriculum that requires planning and putting into action a community project. These projects range from book drives for libraries, to collecting juice boxes for Kids Food Basket, to collecting hygiene products for homeless shelters.

Our program also emphasizes that not only do the girls play an important role in their communities but they also belong to a community of girls through Kent County Girls on the Run. They are bonded with other girls who are sharing similar experiences all over Kent County. To that end, they have a chance to join “forces” and bring new and gently used shoes to our 5k Celebratory Run on May 13th at East Kentwood High School. Two Men and a Truck donate their time and a truck to help collect the shoes the teams bring. The shoes are then delivered to In the Image. The used shoes go on their shelves and the new shoes go to the S.H.O.E  Program for area schools. This will be the third year Girls on the Run has instituted this community project for the teams at our 5k. We hope to top our record of 500 shoes from last year. This donation site is also open to the public to bring shoes as well. Help us FILL THAT TRUCK!!!!

So as you start to tackle your spring closet cleaning we would love for you to bring your shoe donations on May 13th, any time after 5:30pm to East Kentwood High School Stadium parking lot. We feel privileged to be able to combine the power our girls have to make a difference with the power In the Image has to help meet the basic needs of others. We also invite you to volunteer for this event, be an adult runner, or stay and watch this inspirational event as the girls realize their goal of completing a 5k!

If you would like to run for us in the 53 Riverbank Run please click our link on the Charity Partners Page to find out how. If you would like to volunteer with our organization either at the River Bank Run or at our 5k on May 13th please email director@kcgotr.org.

Please visit us on Facebook at Kent County Girls on the Run Non-Profit Organization and at our website kcgotr.org to find out how to further be involved!

Thank you!

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03 Unwritten

I am unwritten

Can’t read my mind

I’m undefined

I’m just begining

The Pen’s in my hand

Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page

before me

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate

the words that you could not find

Live your life with arms

wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

Read more »

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