I'm not "joggin", so why is this still "Joggin' for Jenn"?

On January 29, 2006, my dear friend Jennifer lost her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Jenn was 31 years old, a loving mother, caring wife, & loyal friend. In her memory, I dedicated a year of training, racing, and ultimately raising awareness to fight these horrific diseases. “Joggin’ for Jenn” was born.

I ran the Chicago Marathon on October 22, 2006, and raised nearly $6,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I had aches & pains during my training, and it was a battle to cross the finish line of the 26.2-mile course, unquestionably, it could never compare to Jenn’s battle and the challenges she faced every day as a Leukemia patient.

Two days following the Chicago Marathon, I had my 9th knee surgery. My running days are over. But that will not cease my dedication to raising awareness for very worthy causes. Losing Jenn has opened my eyes, and made me live my life one day at a time...and if that means being a "good-deed-doer" and raising awareness for those causes of great interest to me, then that's just what I'm going to do. And I will do it all in her memory.

So while this time around, I'm not "Joggin' for Jenn", everything I do is because of her.

Which brings me to today, and my newest and exciting fundraising effort…the Tour de Cove!

Joggin' for Jenn is back! Well....sort of....

Dear Family & Friends,

I am hoping I can count on your support for a very worthy and credible cause.

My purpose is straight forward:

I am going to raise $2,000 for The Challenged Athletes Foundation by completing a 4½-hour “spin-a-thon” in the Tour de Cove on October 25, 2009.

Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $21 million – allowing the Foundation to satisfy thousands of funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries. Whether it’s a $2,000 handcycle, helping underwrite a running prosthetic, or arranging encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar injury, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.

Sadly, despite our best efforts, many physically challenged athletes still remain on the sidelines.

Please join me in helping CAF fulfill its mission. Let’s help give these challenged athletes a fair chance to realize their dreams, and breath life into the stories of hearts and heroes, of inspiration and perspiration, of raw courage and “never quit” attitudes!

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Karin