Marietta's Marathon Training

Putting for the Cause

2009-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:00

Last night I was invited to attend the Leukemia and Lymphoma's fundraiser Putting for the Cause at the Crown Plaza Hotel in White Plains, NY. I was the honored speaker for the evening. My speech was about Jacquie and my experience with the society's team in training program. Below is a copy of the speech I gave last night to a banquet room full of people fighting blood cancers by coming together raising tons of money for research and having a good time. I hope that it can inspire you just like I know it inspired them. Jacquie I love you.

My Journey with the leukemia and lymphoma society started this past September when I was looking for away to give back to my friend Jacquie Hirsch who has given me so much. At this time Jacquie was in critical condition at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.
After requesting information about their team in training program on the internet, I was contacted the next day by the society’s wonderful staff. They told me that they had an informational meeting a week later at my school district in Central Valley, NY. I thought this was fate, because it was so convenient for me to attend and Jacquie was so sick.
A few days later on September 6th, 2008, almost 5 months ago, my dear friend from college passed away from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, also commonly referred to as A.L.L. Jacquie was only 23 years old when she passed away. Losing her has been the most difficult thing to happen to me in my life thus far.
On September 13th, one week after she passed away, my boyfriend and I signed up for the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 11th, 2009. I was a competitive runner back in high school and since then ran casually and always wanted to run a marathon, but the thought of running on3 always intimidated me. Jacquie was my inspiration and when I thought of how brave and strong she was I knew that I could do anything. I think I should start off by telling you Jacquie’s story.
On September 28th 2007, my friend Jacquie Hirsch woke up to prepare for another day of student teaching in Rochester, NY, but felt sick, and found her vision was blurry. Thinking this may be attributed to her contact lenses; she visited the college health center and was then referred to an eye specialist. Taking careful note of her vision, he knew something was wrong, very wrong. After arriving at the hospital for blood work, her white blood cells had reached a level 20x higher than normal. This deviation in her blood stream was causing clotting behind her retina and the subsequent blurred vision. Her mother, driving to the hospital from Buffalo arrived in time for the news. Such a rapid cell increase only meant one thing, cancer. Jacquie was immediately rushed home and admitted directly to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The family arrived with Jacquie at 2:30am and treatment had to begin immediately.
She began receiving chemo for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, (ALL) and was put on an immediate national search to find a match for her bone marrow transplant. Fundraising efforts and a benefit with free bone marrow testing were set up in order to help. A donor was located and Jacquie was admitted into Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan NYC on Monday February 11th. There, Jacquie continued the fight of her life and received a genetic altering bone marrow & stem cell transplant. 11 days short of her anticipated discharge date, we received some very devastating news, her cancer had returned. She was immediately flown back to buffalo and had roughly 2 days with family and friends before she was admitted back into Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Again, she began a series of chemotherapy (this time much more intense and potentially dangerous to her body) in hopes of her attaining remission. Once there, they started to prepare for a second bone marrow transplant. Three months later after the second transplant had taken places, something went wrong and Jacquie’s organs started to fail and she was moved to the ICU where she passed away weeks later.
Now let me tell you about Jacquie Hirsch my friend. Jacquie is a caring, bright and thoughtful person whose presence and smile can brighten even the darkest day. She is also a miracle worker when it comes to children. Her natural abilities and her patient disposition allow her to reach children on a level that no one else can. Whether in the gym or in the classroom, Jacquie’s true calling in life was to educate and better the lives of children. Even while undergoing chemotherapy at Roswell Park, she made everyone aware she would be much happier if put on the pediatric floor. Once her room was moved, she wasted no time meeting the children and making friends. Helping to make snow-cones and coloring pictures was a way for both her and the children find some level of comfort. Her laugh and her smiles continued every day as did her strong will to fight. Along with her IV and pump, she walked miles around the 6th floor with a level of determination rarely seen in someone so young. Jacquie always made tremendous progress with her treatments and despite all of the setbacks she faced. She stayed strong and positive.
As Jacquie’s brother said so well Jacquie was never able to have her own class to teach, but she taught us all so much- to live life to the fullest- full of happiness, love and strength.
Jacquie is the kind of person who always brought out the best in people. She is a kind, open minded, strong, sweet, and loveable person. She is what got me through training and the marathon I ran almost 3 weeks ago. It was truly amazing to see thousands of people running in memory, honor or as survivors with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I continually heard coaches, mentors and others cheering “Go Team!” It is difficult for me to explain how that felt. I have never felt so proud of myself. It wasn’t just that I finished 26.2 miles, it was who and what I was finishing it for. Every time I ran past someone whose jersey said in memory of tears began to well up in my eyes, but for one of those people there were many more who said in honor of a patient or an actual survivor was running which made me smile.
Throughout training the past 5 months and since Jacquie was diagnosed I was amazed to meet so many people who’s lives had some way or another been affected by blood cancers. It is difficult to imagine how many people are affected by these awful diseases, but if we look at the glass half full it is equally amazing to think of what the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, with your generosity, can do for people just like them.
I am here right now because Jacquie has continued to inspire me. She brings people together like all of us here tonight to Believe that one day we will wipe out blood cancers. I encourage all of you to visit her website to learn more about her brave story and foundation and JacquieforALL.com. There you will see family and friends who have actively participated in programs offered by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society like light the night and team and training, to give back to an organization that supports patients and their loved ones, like Jacquie.
Everybody, regardless of age, race or religion has the ability to help stop cancers that turn peoples lives upside down. In some way or another, you can help save the lives of patients who desperately need to break free from these deadly diseases and be able to continue on living their lives.
On behalf of Jacquie, her family, other blood cancer patients and their families and friends I thank all of you for taking part to fight against cancer by increasing awareness about this deadly disease and bone marrow transplants.
I also thank you for your generosity and support that you have shown the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through your participation this evening by Putting for the cause. I pray and believe that we will soon see the end of blood cancers as we know it. We have to keep fighting until we do.

More pictures

2009-01-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

WE DID IT!

2009-01-16T15:12:00.001-08:00

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for ALL of your support and encouragement. I met both goals. I have raised over $3,500 for LLS and I finished the race in 4:34! It was an amazing experience. Accomplishing a life goal of mine to run a marathon for an organization like LLS with TNT was incredible! I hope the money that WE raised will help bring a cure to these awful blood cancers. It has too! I encourage anyone who is interested to do it! You can if I did! Truly a life changing experience.

Jacquie you were on my mind all 26.2 miles and you got me through to the finish line. I did not see tinker bell, but I think that is because she was with Jax watching. I wore your picture so proudly on my back :) People kept saying how beautiful you are!!!!!!!! I literally could not have done this without you. You are my angel and my inspiration. I love you and I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOU! You will always inspire me and help me remember how precious life is. I LOVE YOU GF!

only $500 and 4 days to go!

2009-01-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Don't be jealous now, but I am able to write at this time of the day because my school was closed due to the weather :)

Thank you so much to all of you who have donated since my last post! You guys are really coming through and it means so much.

I am heading to the gym in a bit to run my last run before we depart for DISNEY! Wish us luck and please think of us. My next post will be our results! Jacquie will constantly be on my mind, as she always is ;) tink.

Thank you again and if you have not donated yet and would like to... please do! WE need your help.

Marietta

20 miles

2008-12-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

Sean and I ran 20 miles today! We did it :) Sean's knee is hurting a bit, but he is icing and sleeping as we speak. Now we start to taper so that we feel rested on race day in 2 weeks from tomorrow! That means that we only have 15 days left to reach our goal to each raise $3500 for LLS. I still have $1000 more to raise. Please do your best to make a donation.

Thank you to all of you who have donated! We are having a fundraiser in the city tonight at the Stumble Inn on the corner of 2nd Ave and 76th street. Please come it starts at 10pm and ends at 1am. It is a top shelf open bar and proceeds go to our fund raising campaign for LLS in memory of Jacquie Hirsch. Should be a good time and I hope to see you there :)

Much Love,
Marietta

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I think on this day especially it is important for me to share with you a quote from Jacquie's brother TJ about his sister, that my friend Kristin reminded me of this Christmas morning.

"She is teaching all of us never to take one day for granted, never to waste time, to sieze opportunities and to love, and be loved."

Enjoy your time with your loved ones, for we all are so blessed that they are happy and healthy, and that they are here for us to love.

Jacquie, my friend, I miss you more than words can express and I know that your family will bravely get through this Christmas without you, because they have their angel watching over them. Merry Christmas Tink! I'm heading out there to run in just a few minutes ;)

Love,
Marietta

18 miles

2008-12-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I want to start off by thanking those of you who have contributed to LLS so far. I am getting donations in every day, and those both big and small are very encouraging. I appreciate both your support and your generosity.

On Saturday we ran 18 miles from Rockland Lake State Park down to South Nyack and back. The way back was quite freezing when the wind was blowing strongly off the Hudson River into our faces. We made it though :)

Tonight I ran 5 miles when I came home from work. It was very nice running in the warmer weather. I can't believe the race is less than a month away!

Please continue to support me in my efforts to raise money for LLS by making a 100% tax deductible donation. I need all the help I can get!

Mar

Jacquie

2008-12-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

Pictures from the Turkey Trot

2008-12-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

Lots of running

2008-12-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Hi here is an update from the past week...

Late post tonight because I just got back from rehearsal. If anyone is interested the Rockland County Choral Society will be having their winter concert this Saturday 12/6, 8pm at Rockland Community College.

Sean and I ran the 5 mile turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning at Rockland Lake in Congers, NY. This was a great way to wake up and start the day. Surprisingly enough my appetite was smaller than usual and I figured it would be bigger. I received some generous donations from family members and I wanted to say thank you! On Friday I stayed far away from the stores and just relaxed.

On Saturday I ran in the cross country alumni race at Bear Mountain State Park. I practically climbed up the big hill, but I made it! It was nice to see some old teammates from high school :) After all that I woke up early on Sunday morning to run 16 more miles with Sean in the awful weather, but we did it!

Today was an off day and I'll be back in the swing of things tomorrow after school. Keep reading up dates about my progress. I need all the support I can get.

Mar

Icing again

2008-11-25T13:37:00.001-08:00

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't wrote in a while. My friend Annie at work today asked me about my progress because she hadn't read any recent updates on the blog. So I figured I would write.

Training is still going well. We went running on Saturday morning and it was awfully cold. I was going out to run 16, but had to stop at 12 because my knee began to hurt. That was frustrating because I felt otherwise, both mentally and physically ready to complete it. Hopefully I will have better luck this coming weekend. I ran 3 miles on Friday afternoon at a very fast pace so I think that may have had something to do with it.

I also wanted to Thank you all for your support and encouragement as Thanksgiving is only two days away. I still have a long way to go with both training and fund raising, but it means so much. Have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends.

Always believing,
Marietta

14 miles

2008-11-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

I went on a 14 mile run yesterday. The feeling I get after these long runs is very difficult to explain... reminds me of late nights in college :), but no hangover hours later. When the going gets tough I think of Jacquie and she gets me through it. I try not to think for too long because I sometimes still get sad and mad. I miss you Jacquie... so much. I was at CVS today and I picked out your 24th birthday card to hold onto till May to send to you and your family, the cutest tink card I have seen yet.

Sean injured his foot so he has not been running for the last week. I hope he gets back out there soon :) I'm going to Boston this weekend with Sean to visit my best friend Jess and I am looking forward to running along the Charles River.

Thank you to all who keep checking to read about my progress. Your support means so much! I also continue to receive generous donations so I thank all of you too!

Love,
Marietta

12 miles

2008-11-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Training is definitely getting harder. Yesterday we ran 12 miles, the most mileage we have done for a long run so far and the most I have ever run. It felt like a huge accomplishment.

By the 11th mile my legs started to feel like jello, but I felt mentally strong and kept pushing. I think I must of had some tinker bell wings on ;)

Training is going well, but I really still need everyone's financial support and encouragement.

Please remember that donations are tax deductible and they are going to a very important cause in memory of a very special young woman, my friend Jacquie Hirsch.

Love and Miss you Jax!

Marietta

Birthdays

2008-10-27T19:30:00.001-07:00

Hi friends-

I have received some very generous donations within the past couple of weeks and I want to start off by saying thank you!!

Training continues to go well. We are picking up our mileage each week and have been lucky that it has not become too cold yet.

As I celebrated my 24th birthday on Saturday night, I could not help but think of Jacquie and I became sad that she won't be able to celebrate her's this coming May. You are on my mind always Jax and lately everything tinker bell keeps crossing my path :)

Jacquie Hirsch I miss you and I WILL stand for you at the finish line on January 11th.

ALWAYS BELIEVING,
Marietta

Fall is the best time to run

2008-10-14T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Training continues to be going very well. I enjoy running outside very much this time of the year. Some of the places we run have some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the area.

This week on Thursday evening, my friends from college and I are walking in Jacquie's memory at the Light the Night Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It will be nice to see everyone celebrating Jacquie's life together.

If you would like to walk on Thursday with us, please let me know. I know that LLS is also looking for volunteers. Please visit their website to find more information about that.

Always Believing,
Marietta

Thank you

2008-10-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

I just got home from work and I am about to head out for my run. I just wanted to say thank you for those people who have already donated so far. Your contributions will truly make a difference to blood cancer patients who are in the fight of their life!

Last Thursday night I had the pleasure and privilege of being an honored speaker at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Pasta Dinner for the Westchester 1/2 marathon this Sunday 10.12.08.

I was able to talk to a group of people who have become a team to train for such a wonderful cause. I did my best in 5 or 10 minutes to tell them about my friend Jacquie to inspire them as she has inspired me :) I know I did. I wish all of them strength and God's blessings this coming Sunday!

Icing my knee

2008-09-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Figured I could keep you posted while I was killing time icing my knee before a four mile run. I have a little bit of a cold so getting up this morning to run was not an option.

On Saturday Sean and I met the rest of our team at Rockland Lake. Like my Dad said, I was running on my old stomping grounds from high school cross country summer training. We ran 6 miles and had a great run :) Then went out for a big breakfast.

Marietta

Rest Day

2008-09-17T18:32:00.003-07:00

Hi all.

After I left the team in training meeting on Saturday I went out and ran 2 miles to pump myself up. It worked :) I woke up on Monday morning at 6 am to start my first official day of training. I went out to run 4 miles, and during the end of my 3rd mile, I started experiencing a familiar, but upsetting knee pain. I ran through it. I went home to ice my knee before work and took a couple of advil. It must have worked, because I got back out on Tuesday morning to run another 4 miles.
Today is my day off and I am enjoying it :) I slept till 7am and ate ice cream tonight with Sean. I will be running another 4 tomorrow after work.

Mar

Sign up Day

2008-09-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

This morning my boyfriend Sean and I went to a meeting for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's team in training. Team in training helps inspired people participate in triathlons, bike rides and marathons. Sean and I are signed up to run a marathon on January 10th, 2009 in Walt Disney World.

My inspiration is,my friend from SUNY Geneseo, Jacquie Hirsch. Jacquie passed away on Saturday September 6th at 8:30 pm after almost a year long battle with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia).

Jacquie and I bartended together at the Inn Between during college. In addition to spending our weekends together through work, we developed a very close friendship. Jacquie, myself and our friend Pauline became "girlfriends." We did this because we were members of different sororities and couldn't call eachother "sisters," but wanted just as meaningful as a name. I encourage you to please visit Jacquie's website to learn about her courageous and inspiring story.

Please continue to check this blog to read about my progress. I will need everyone's support I can get! I have always wanted to run a marathon since becoming a competitive runner in high school, and now I have my inspiration- Jacquie WE BELIEVE!

God Bless,
Marietta