Welcome and thank you for visiting my SnowDrop ULTRA 55 Hour Race and Relay Fundraising Page! I have always donated my time and passion to the charities that have meant the most to me, for example coaching for Girls on the Run while in graduate school or volunteering at the local natural history museum as a docent. However, this is the first time I have fund raised for an organization, and I will tell you why the SnowDrop Foundation means so much to me. 

I was introduced to the SnowDrop Foundation by my good friend, mentor, and run coach, Larry DeSpain, who encouraged me to participate in his Bling for Bravery Program. This program collects runners finisher medals from racers across the United States and the world, and donates these medals to children fighting childhood cancer. I have been visiting the Texas Children's Cancer Hospital in Houston, Tx with the Bling for Bravery team, handing out medals to children for their bravery and resilience, talking to the parents, and drawing with the kids while they wait for their treatments.

After the first time visiting the Texas Children's Cancer Hospital, I sat in my car and just cried for these brave little souls. I then talked with Coach Larry about how to do more for these kids and their families and joined the SnowDrop Honor Team immediately after. The SnowDrop Honor Team allows me to dedicate my races to kids fighting cancer, and I run in honor of one very special little girl. Each and every step of a race now has such meaning and purpose, I am running when my sponsor child cannot. I am running to honor her bravery and her ongoing battle to overcome a truly monstrous foe. 

Last year, I was honored to participate for the first time in the Snowdrop Foundations yearly Ultra 55 Hour Race on Team Gabi. I met up with Coach Larry prior to the event and walked the .69 mile loop course, which was decorated every few feet with the picture of a child who was still fighting their battle with cancer, had defeated cancer, or had earned their wings. We talked about the lives and families of the children Coach knew personally, we talked with other runners who were similarly walking the course and absorbing the true meaning of what we were going to do: run, walk or crawl as far as we possibly could in 55 hours to support these amazing kids. 

But why 55 hours, you might ask. The SnowDrop Foundation was inspired by the fight of 15-year-old Chelsey. In 2006, Chelsey has a still record breaking 27 continuous hour surgery, performed without stop by one primary surgeon and one assistant surgeon (and a rotating team of support staff). 2 surgeons X 27 hours = 54 hours, plus one hour added for their patient, Chelsey. Chelsey earned her wings later that year, and the SnowDrop Foundation was her 16th birthday present - a present that has offered hope to so many other children. 

I need your help to honor and support these brave kids. The money we raise will be donated to childhood cancer research and as scholarships to support the scholastic dreams of these children who will be our future. Any amount helps, any amount is appreciated, any amount may change the life of a child who has fought so hard just to continue to live.