A first marathon for AIDS- In Memory of Imette St. Guillen

So I wrote earlier that I was up waaaayy too late Friday night stuffing envelopes to go out today.

This is the letter that is going to bring WWC the big bucks, that's going to go to honor Imette's name, the letter that I sent not only to  Rosie Perez and Denis Leary and Liz Garbus and Rory Kennedy and other folk, but also to my beloved family and friends in the US and on la isla.  Still working on translating it into Spanish which will take some time, since my Spanish skills seem to be deteriorating the longer I'm away.

Therefore, y'all probably want to know (if you're not here because you got said envelope) what the letter says. I mean, it's so important that I chose it over a group run, right?

Well, it's on the AIDS Marathon Training Program letterhead so thoughtfully provided to me in the enthusiastic burst of fundraising support I got when I signed up for the marathon.  It's pretty- red and black logo on cream paper, with a 2 inch margin on the side- and it says:

   Dear Wonderful Giving Person,

I'm asking for your support- let's increase awareness about AIDS, and help our community together.  I'll be running the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon this Labor Day, in Virginia Beach, VA.  Yes, I'm going to run 13.1 miles!  I was on the crew team in high school and college- and the only running I've done was back in trainin, years ago.  I 've never really been a runner.  But I'm stepping outside my experiences to train and run to benefit AIDS patients and their families.  Each week, I've been running a bit farther- by the end of the marathon this September 4th, I'll have completed over 200 miles.

HIV and AIDS are infecting and affecting young people, as well as others with families, so I'm trying to raise awareness for prevention.  These are folk who are increasingly like me- young, with their whole lives ahead of them.  This is for our community.  And health promotion is my passion, and the focus of my studies.  So I'm doubly committed to the fight against AIDS.  My training and run is for affordable health care here in the Washington, DC area, and to help everyone keep in mind that this disease still exists and kills millions.  I run to prove that we can run the distance.  And I run in memory of my friend and GWU c/o 2003 classmate Imette St. Guillen, who did not have AIDS, but was killed, as you might have heard, in February of this year.  Imette was smart and compassionate.  She's from Boston, a city famous for marathons- this is something she might have done, and I like to think that she's cheering us on.

All funds that I raise for the marathon go to the Whitman-Walker Clinic.  Founded in 1973, it provides the most HIV/AIDS services here in the Washington metropolitan region- and since one in twenty adults of the District area are estimated to have HIV, that's a lot of service!  The Clinic and its branches provide housing assistance as well as medical, legal, and other counseling services and support.  Whitman-Walker Clinic is relying on support from this major fundraiser to keep providing life-changing services that are essential here in DC. 

All of this is why I'm raising at least $2,500 before August 1st. {SHOOT!  Typo- The letter says AUGUST 1st, not JULY 5th!  AWWWW man….} Why $2500?   Imette and I and our classmates turn 25 this year.  I'll happily accept a donation for this cause, instead of other birthday gifts.  Also, $2500 is over the minimum amount I must give in order to participate in the final run- and of course, I'd love to raise even more cash.  If 100 people give just $25, our goal will be met; but any amount you can give- $5, $10, the change from the penny jar- is excellent.  I've sent you my personalized donation form, and an envelope.  Even if you can't give now, please save the materials for later.   Donations on my behalf may be given even after the race is over.   Checks should be made to AIDS Marathon DC.  And if you've aleady donated to your charity this year, please pass the form- spread the word- to your friends and co-workers who want to join us in this effort.  You can even follow my training efforts through my blog at MarisaMarathon.wordpress.com, or sponsor me- runner number 0698- at www.aidsmarathon.com.  Feel free to leave your encouragement!

I've said that I rowed competitively, but this marathon is the biggest effort I've yet to make my body attempt.  Yet 13.1 miles is nothing compared to what our community members with HIV/AIDS face day by day.  This is my best opportunity so far to fight HIV and AIDS personally.  And an excellent way to celebrate life.

I want to thank you for your support and unity in this race.  On Labor Day, September 4th, I'll be thinking of you, and thanking you, as I cross the finish line.

Forward,

Marisa S______