by Kirby Lindsay, posted 27 February 2012
On Sunday, March 4th, Fremonster Holly Westerfield invites runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to ‘March Forth,’ for a fun 5K or 10K run/walk/march around Green Lake.
The fundraiser starts at the Green Lake Community Center, and a free kids mini-march at 8:45a. At 9a, brass bands, including the Seattle Sounders Sound Wave, will launch the race. A fantastic finish line festival awaits participants – and the gathered cheering section – with booths ranging from ZoëYogurt to Locks Of Love to the Puget Sound Blood Center Bloodmobile and Bone Marrow Registry. John Curley will act as emcee for the awards presentation at 11a, and help distribute goodie bags and t-shirts to registered participants
The party promises plenty of family friendly fun, along with the knowledge that the whole event raises money for Team In Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS.)
Why Run?
The LLS mission is to cure lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia and 140 typed blood cancers and blood disease, while finding ways to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
However, Westerfield – a proven, enthusiastic LLS supporter – didn’t start off trying to cure anything. Before joining Team In Training, she admitted she never knew anyone diagnosed with a blood disease. Westerfield saw the charity sports endurance training program as a way to get motivated and get healthy. “Personally,” she explained, “I was never athletic growing up. I never did gym after it was no longer required. I was not coordinated.”
Today, Westerfield raves, “I enjoy Team In Training so much!” She started as the slowest member of a marathon team, taking advantage of the certified coaching and supportive teammates. She appreciated the structure of the training, and the accountability.
Megan Lanier, Campaign Director with LLS, explained that many people join with close friends, or in groups. “I didn’t know anyone,” Westerfield admitted of her own journey. Since then, “I’ve made friends on the team,” she explained, “I love having teammates.” Especially as friendships grew with her teammates, and led her to share other activities she never expected to be able to enjoy, including swing dancing, rock climbing and knitting.
Why Raise?
Westerfield joined without a connection with LLS, but she quickly learned how important the organization is, as Team In Training has kept the mission in focus. She reads newsletters she receives as participant, and has met actual researchers looking for cures and treatments. (With real excitement, Westerfield reported that a local researcher has promised to attend ‘March Forth,’ to help others understand the importance of where the money goes.) Most important, to Westerfield, have been her relationships with the ‘Honored Teammates’.
Every team has a blood cancer patient, or survivor, who either cheers them on or trains with them. Westerfield feels especially grateful to ‘Sue,’ her teammate for the 2011 Lavaman Triathlon. “You didn’t feel weird talking to Sue,” Westerfield explained. Sue has survived multiple cancers, and takes questions easily – with answers that gave Westerfield a new appreciation of what patients have to fight.
Why Not?
Team In Training, above all, raises funds to fight blood disease and blood cancers. In addition to providing training coaches, LLS also provides participants with mentors to help them fundraise.
All participants must raise a minimum amount to participate. Mentors – Westerfield is one – help participants meet their fundraising goal. Also, LLS offers a fundraising website, clinics, sample letters, and instruction on corporate sponsorships. “We have all the tools,” Lanier said, “the participants can choose to use them, or not.”
Lanier did observe, “you have to get creative with your fundraising, if you come back year after year.” Going back to friends and family over and over will limit the amount a participant can raise. In ‘March Forth,’ Westerfield demonstrates a rather grand, and ambitious, example of creative fundraising, but she finds it suits her talents.
“I love to plan things, and organize,” Westerfield admitted about her decision to hold a race to fund a race. “It does take up all my free time,” she admitted, “but when I’m at practices,” for her triathlon on April 1st, “I’m hanging out with my friends.”
Westerfield always pays the 25% of the minimum – the portion that covers overhead costs (race fees, transportation, accommodations, etc.) – out of her own pocket. She wants to know that when she asks for donations – or registration fees for ‘March Forth’ – the money given goes entirely toward the mission of LLS. ‘March Forth’ literally raises money for Team In Training, but all proceeds will go to LLS.
Among other sports endurance training programs, Lanier explained, Team In Training provides more of a team experience. Also, they have more participants, and offer a very comprehensive program, “very hands-on,” Lanier observed. For Westerfield, “it’s been a really fun experience.” She’s learned to love to run (and sometimes run, bike and swim) for a cause she knows can change, improve and save lives. As she observed, “I feel it’s more than just a race.”
Learn more about the mission of LLS through its website – to get information on the next Team In Training information session, or information for a patient diagnosed with a blood disease.
To register for March Forth, and join the festival at Green Lake on Sunday, March 4th, check the website or register in person starting at 7a. This is a USATF sanctioned race. Even those uninterested in running (walking, or marching) stop by to enjoy the entertainment, plus free samples and giveaways among the booths, then cheer the awards presentation at 11a. Questions can be answered at info@MarchForthFunRun.com, or 206/395-6419.
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©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.