The $40,000 challenge

Are you up to the challenge?

A very generous donor has offered to match all of the funds that we, as Team Giant, raise to fight cancer up to $20,000. Maybe you need to count those zeros again. Yep. That's right. $20,000. What that means is that we ALL need to step up and raise some funds! This challenge includes both of our current endeavors: Climb to Conquer cancer, and the Marathon Challenge. Either way you look at it, that is a lot of money to fight cancer and help those affected by the disease. If we can raise $20,000 we will be matched, bringing our total earnings to $40,000!! Can you even imagine it? Well, start to, because we are on our way!

Do you think we can do it? We won't know unless we try! Let's get to it!

"How can I help?" you ask. There are several ways.

1. Join Team Giant as we Climb to Conquer Cancer with the American Cancer Society or make a donation to help the team. Click here to join or to make a donation. (You have until February 5th to sign up and get a Team Giant shirt).

2. Donate to our Marathon Challenge and help Crystal and me to raise $7,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click here to help us end the suffering from blood cancers. You may also mail a check to Marisa Allen at 193 W. Greer Ln. Tucson, AZ 85704

3. Pass this message along. Let your friends and family know how they can help Team Giant meet the $20,000 challenge.

4. Send me your ideas. Maybe you can't help financially, but you know another way to reach our goal. Do you have an item to donate that we can raffle off? Do you or someone you know own a restaurant that will let us have a fundraising party?

I hope that you all are half as excited as I am to do our part in fighting cancer. Did you know that cancer deaths are on the decline? The only way to keep that number down is to continue to offer our support.

Kick-Off TNT

Yesterday was the kick-off for Team in Training (TNT). I won a trisports.com t-shirt, which I gave to Tyson (because he has actually completed a triathlon!). I figured it served him better. At the kick off I met Gabbi. Gabbi is one of our honored teammates for TNT she is ten years old and is a 6 year leukemia survivor. It was very nice to meet her. Daniela is our other honored teammate, but she is only 3 years old (she's in remission as of this past month). Two other teammates we race in memory of: A little girl named Alex and a boy named Carlos (Carlos Valencia is a local celebrity for his work in encouraging Hispanics to donate bone marrow). I wish I could have had the opportunity to meet both of those special people. That is why I continue to stay involved in the fight against cancer. We should be running in their honor and not there memory.

Tomorrow starts a series of clinics to prepare us for the marathon. We are going to Fleet Feet Sports to have our gait and feet tested so that we can be properly fitted for new running shoes. I'm looking forward to this because I know how important it is to keep my feet healthy (plus, what girl doesn't love an excuse for a new pair of shoes?) :)

Wednesday is the fundraising clinic. I'm looking forward to this because I'm interested in learning new ways to get the cause out there and start earning money for the run!

Our first official group training session is on Saturday, where we will start from the beginning (1-2 miles). I have been working on the pre-training of 30mins most days of the week. At this point for me that equals about 2 miles (intervals of running and walking). I imagine that I'm going to need to improve dramatically in order to complete the marathon.

New adventures

I have decided to revive the giantallen.com website! I think that Josh would be proud to know that even in his absence, we are all continuing the battle against cancer in his memory, and in memory/honor of so many others.

I will now use this page to update you all on the many steps that we take in the battle to find a cure for cancer.

We currently have two upcoming events:

The first you are all familiar with, Climb to Conquer Cancer with Team Giant!
If you would like to join our team, or make a donation, please visit our team page here.
Team Giant has raised over $23,000 to fight cancer through research, education, advocacy, and support.

The second is a big endeavor that Crystal (my sister) and I are taking on together are representatives of Team Giant: RUNNING A MARATHON!
On June 3^rd we are going to run (or maybe walk or crawl) 26.2 miles as a member of Team in Training (TNT)! The event is the Rock n’ Roll Marathon and takes place in beautiful San Diego, California. I ask for your support in this colossal undertaking.
We have each committed to raising $3,600 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I figure we can tackle cancer from a different angle :)

Please help us in our efforts! Any amount counts, and we appreciate it. Making a donation is easy, you can hand deliver or mail me a check written to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or donate online:
Click here to go to our donation page


We know that this is a lot to ask all of our friends and family at one time, but the cause is a worthy one. We are very excited about these upcoming adventures and thank you for your support.

Please check in often for updates on our progress.

WOWZA!

When I invited all of you to join us in conquering cancer, I had no idea just how much support we would be getting for the 3rd year in a row!!!

Team Giant raised more than anyother team!!! It was probably more than any team has ever raised for our Tucson climb event. I was the top online fundraiser and the top individual fundraiser.

Team Giant raised OVER $14,300!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOWZA!!!

When you combine the last three years that Team Giant has been fighting cancer, we have raised around $25,000 to eradicate the suffering from cancer! Remember, much of that money stays here in Tucson at the cancer center and to assist the many programs that help local cancer survivors.

The event raised over $140,000 putting us at around 10% of the total raised for the event.

We also had over 45 Team Giant members out there walking with us on the bitter cold morning of March 11th. Most of us were able to make it to the top despite the wind. It was so wonderful to see everyone out there, and to know that even more people were at home united with us in their thoughts.

THANK YOU!

Lots of updates

Please be sure to read all three of the updates below! :)

You may have noticed that the guestbook isn't working. You can still write comment on each of the posts by clicking on the "comments" link below the post.