Bruce Wilkison

Hey, Bruce,I like this race, and it would be fun to do it again and see you there. I haven't yet decided if I am going to do the Whiskey Row Marathon or Half that same weekend, though. It depends on how I feel after running the Big Sur Marathon the week before. If I'm wiped out, I'll skip Whiskey Row and I may do the Night Run.If I decide to do it, then I won't be much competition for you. :-)Cheers,JerryO

HEAD> On January 13, 2008, I will be raising funds for the American Diabetes Association by running the PF Chang's Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon. If you know me very well, you're probably saying to yourself, "Big deal, you were going to do that anyway." You would probably be right. I have run that race three times before. But this is different, because I am running this marathon in celebration and recognition of all that has been done to help me live well over the past 33 years. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a sophomore in high school, and it has been a significant part of my life ever since. The advances that have enabled people like me to live more productive, healthier, happier lives were only achieved as a result of contributions by people like you and organizations like the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the U.S. That is a sobering statistic, but it tells only a small part of the story. Adults with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to die from heart disease or stroke. Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and other severe health problems. While I am a diabetic myself, and that is certainly part of my concern and motivation to do something about this disease, I am also motivated by my concern for the many others, children, adults, and elderly, fighting this disease, more than 20 million Americans. There has been a 60% increase in the number of people with diabetes in this country since 1990. It's my goal through this marathon to raise $1000 for the ADA. I'm putting in the first $100 myself. I am taking care of my own registration and expenses, so any contribution will go directly to the American Diabetes Association. If you could help in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. If you could give just $25, that would only be $1 per mile of the marathon, and I would throw in 1.2 miles for free! But as you know if you've run a marathon, the actual day of the race is the culmination of months of preparation, and many more than 26.2 miles. I expect to total from 400 to 500 miles in training for the RNRAZ Marathon. Looking at it that way, a $100 contribution is just 25 cents per mile. What a bargain! Thanks for your consideration. If you decide to contribute, you can write a check to the American Diabetes Association and give it to me, and I'll give you a receipt, or you can contribute via this web page:(Click for the Link ...) enter my name in the field for TEAM D Participant.All contributions are tax deductible. (Federal Tax ID #13-1623888) Thanks,Jerry American Diabetes Association(Click for the Link ...) Chang's Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon(Click for the Link ...) training log(Click for the Link ...) picture is worth a thousand words. A Lifetime of Diabetes(Click for the Link ...) 365(Click for the Link ...)