"Have you lost your damn mind?"

As posted on my fundraising page for Team in Training.

Sub-Deb Halloween Hayride 1991

Mark King was my high school sweetheart, but long after that, he continued to be my very dear friend. We shared a love of books, a mile-wide stubborn streak and ferocius loyalty to those we love. Regardless of how often, or not, we talked, there was never a doubt in my mind that Mark would be with me if I needed him. If I could have moved a mountain to make Mark well, that's exactly what I would have done.

Even now, I have trouble imaging that Mark isn't still alive and smiling. He'd found his place and his home in Florida, and knowing he was happy, gave me faith that I would be happy, too. My life is better for having had Mark in my life, and the world is a little darker without him in it.

Mark would think it's hilarious that I'm going to run a half marathon for him. Specifically he'd ask, "Have you lost your damn mind?" May be, Mark. The thing is that no flowers or donation seem to be enough to honor what Mark meant to me. I need to feel like I gave everything I could to show the place in my heart that will always be his.

So here I am. There is a team training with me in DC as a part of Team in Training, and other team members who will join me at the race as a part of Team Mark. Together we're raising money and pushing ourselves not just to honor Mark, but to help vanquish the disease that took him from us.

To learn more about Team Mark and others you can support, check out the Team Mark blog.

$3,000 seems like a lot of money, but in the race to beat cancer, it's a drop in the bucket. On social media alone, I'm connected to more than 1,000 people. If just 300 of them donated $10, I'd meet my goal. I would love to have that many people donate a small amount to show their support for me and solidarity against cancer.

I hope you'll join me.