Why I'm doing this.
Dearfriends and family AsI write this, it is the day before Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankfulfor. First of all, thanks for your interest and taking the time to read thisletter. Iâ??ll try to be brief, but the message is important, so I want to giveyou some background. Asyou may know, Iâ??m training for my 5th marathon-the Walt DisneyMarathon, which I will run January 10, 2010. Mytraining, which began in April, has had many ups and downs-the valleys havebeen low-a repeated calf strain which sidelined me twice and had me change mygoal marathon from the Marine Corps marathon in October to the Disney one inJanuary. I experienced two boutsof upper respiratory infection in October and November. Theupsides have been numerous -Iâ??ve trained with an online group of individualsfrom U.S. and Canada on a team called TeamPoint Two. The online support andcoaching has been nothing short of phenomenal. My strength is slowly returning,and with Disney just 7 weeks away, I see the end of my work in sight and Iâ??mexcited to take on my 5th Marathon. InMay-I ran a 2 hour and 33 second half marathon-a personal record andimprovement over my best time 3 years ago in Boston of 2:06. Ireally wanted to give something back this time around during my marathontraining, and I came to the conclusion that making a difference in kids liveswas the way I wanted to go. Ihave dedicated my training to what I think youâ??ll agree is a worthy cause. -The CT chapter ofMake-A-Wish Foundation. I appealto you to help with this in any way you can-big or small. Hereâ??swhat got me to where I am today: Caroline, Liam and I were visiting Disneyworld in Florida for afew days vacation in June. On our second day there, on the bus to the MagicKingdom, we encountered the grandparents of a 2-year-old little girl from SouthCarolina who was suffering from a rare eye cancer. The proud grandfather toldmy wife how their granddaughter, though perhaps too young to enjoy the park,was being brought to experience the magic of Disney because if they waited, shemight not be able to SEE it. Even worse still, if the cancer metastasized, shewould not LIVE to see it. I found this Truly, devastatingly sad. And yet, Icould see how happy being at Disney made the grandparents, parents and child.It brought joy and hope to a challenging life. In the weeks following our trip, I became aware of theMake-A-Wish foundation and how it helps children like this little girl. Iimplore you to help me help these children, between the ages of 2-18 and withterminal illnesses, receive their wishes. Please consider supporting me in this cause. It's not hard todo. It simply requires a check or a phone call, or an online donation. YIf you have already donated, please accept this letter as my wayof saying â??Thank you.â?? Iappreciate your support. Caroline, Liam and I are grateful to know you and have you inour lives. We wish you a happy andrestful Holiday season! Chris Duffy
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