Reflecting...

      So this winter my cousin was diagnosed with brain cancer. She spent three months in intensive care undergoing multiple surgeries, pneumonia, a brain infection, and the cancer kept coming back. She went to rehab where she did speech and physical therapy, but still could not talk or move. The cancer spread throughout her brain and to her spine and she was sent home. She passed away last Thursday and though I am left feeling unbearably sad, I am also motivated and wanting to make a difference. 

     So I am back to square one, but I have it all figured out. Well my plan is figured out anyway, I just have to execute it. Soooooooo......

     I am going to host a 5k race in honor of my cousin. This past weekend when I was in Philadelphia, I connected with my second cousin who has career goals that lie in the public relations area and fundraising for non profit organizations. She is working with my Aunt to create a fund for a scholarship to be given to a high school senior at the high school my cousin graduated from. This scholarship will go towards the childs' college tuition.  I am going to talk to both my cousin and aunt about this in more detail; it is possible my money will go towards a specific cancer organization in my cousins' name/honor if the fund is not set up at the point of the race. 

   I have a lottttt to do to get this even together! 

I talked to Mr. Bernstein today about helping out with the actual race, and he said that if he wasn't away at the track and field state championships, he would love to help and time the race! 

He referred me to another student, a girl who actually had a similar project as mine last year - to host a 5k race. She was successful! She had between 100-200 participants!! I'm not sure if this is how many I should expect... I guess I will have to play that part by ear, it will depend on my advertising - I'll contact the Ithaca Journal, and spread the word throughout the Ithaca and IHS communities (put an announcement on the IHS loudspeaker, etc.)

I just emailed the head of Camp Good Days, and asked her if she might want to collaborate on the event. It would be amaaazing if she did, because she plans marvelous events - she gets good refreshments, is organized, and normally provides t-shirts, water-bottles, and other things to make people feel more comfortable and be more enthusiastic. 

Until I hear back from Camp Good Days, I'm going to contact Mr. Powers and ask if I can use the track for a venue, and see what the deal with building use forms is....