Michael and I are combining our passion of running to support two worthy causes near and dear to our hearts. We are partnering with two organizations to support individuals and families touched by Cancer and Autism. Join us in the endeavor. Click, “Donate Now.”
Why are we Running the TinkerBell Half Marathon Weekend with Lazarex Cancer Foundation?
Each of us has been touched during our lives by a friend or family member who has bravely battled cancer. Over the past several years, we have seen and walked along side friends, family, and acquaintances who entered into a battle they did not choose, the battle with cancer. While some have come through victorious, others have not.
My husband, Michael, had a father who was a warrior in the fight against cancer. His name was Gunther John Szapkiw. Sadly, his battle with cancer was not one in which he could win. Though he has moved on from this world, Michael and I wish to honor his battle and support those currently standing strong in their battle against cancer – a battle they do not need to fight alone.
We have joined Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s Team for Life. We will be running the Disney Tinker Bell Half Marathon on January 19, 2014 in Anaheim, California.
Click here to sponsor us in Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s Team for Life race.
Why are we Running the Princess Half Marathon Weekend with Autism Speaks?
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)… are among the most common and impairing psychiatric conditions affecting children and adolescents today.- Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States. That means over 2 million individuals in the U.S. are diagnosed with ASD. Tens of millions are affected worldwide. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a general term used to refer to complex disorders of brain development. ASD can affect intellectual, physical, emotional, and social functioning.
As a child and family therapist for over five years, I had the opportunity to work with numerous children and adolescents with an ASD diagnosis. A child’s or adolescent’s autism diagnosis affects not only them but every member of the family. As with any disorder, stress is placed on familial relationships, work, finances, and responsibilities. Parents of children and adolescents have to spend many of their resources toward finding and providing treatment and interventions for their child. Michael and I wish to honor these children and their families and support those currently standing strong in their daily walk with Autism.
We have joined Autism Speaks’ Team Up. We will be running the Disney Princess Half Marathon and Enchanted 10K on February 22-23, 2014 in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
Click here to sponsor us in the Autism Speaks race.
About Lazarex Cancer Foundation
The mission of Lazarex Cancer Foundation is to provide resources for cancer patients who have been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and who refuse to give up now. They offer a bridge to hope, dignity and life for cancer patients and their families by providing financial assistance to help cover the costs associated with participating in an FDA clinical trial (like airfare, lodging, rental cars and fuel). Very often these costs prevent cancer patients from having access to life giving breakthrough treatments. They also help patients navigate their clinical trial options and provide community education and outreach services like cancer screenings for the uninsured.
The Team for Life program is unique in that it enables supporters of Lazarex Cancer Foundation to participate in a variety of local and national events, and provides the participants with coaching and training expertise in exchange for raising money to support this worthy cause.
We are looking forward to training and running alongside others who will be fundraising for Lazarex Cancer Foundation as well as other organizations in the race supporting those fighting serious medical conditions or living with physical disability.
Each Team for Life participant agrees to raise money to support the program services for those affected by cancer. Our fundraising goal is at least $3,000 by January 5, 2014. Every dollar helps. Your donation will inspire us and help those who need it most. You may donate online using your credit card. Just visit amandaszapkiw.com/donate. This link will redirect you to our team donation page.
All donations to Lazarex Cancer Foundation are 100% tax-deductible.
Thank you in advance for your support of not only me, but also Team for Life, Lazarex Cancer Foundation and the many cancer patients they assist.
To learn more about Lazarex Cancer Foundation, you can visit their website at www.lazarex.org.
To find out more about Team for Life, please visit the Team for Life website at www.teamforlifelcf.org.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks has grown into the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes and treatments for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
The Team Up program is unique in that it enables supporters of Autism Speaks to to run a marathon, rappel down a building or push themselves to the limit to help raise funds to help those struggling with autism
We are looking forward to training and running alongside others who will be fundraising for Autism Speaks as well as other organizations in the race supporting those living with Autism.
Each Team Up participant agrees to raise money to support the program services for those affected by Autism. Our fundraising goal is at least $1,300 by January 2014. Every dollar helps. Your donation will inspire us and help those who need it most. You may donate online using your credit card. Just visit https://amandaszapkiw.com/autism.
All donations to Autism Speaks are 100% tax-deductible.
Thank you in advance for your support of not only me, but also Team Up, Autism Speaks and the many individuals and families they assist.
To learn more about Autism Speaks, you can visit their website at http://www.autismspeaks.org/