This Just In...

Jay and I are lucky to know so many great people, so I wanted to share this from one of Jay's students:

Dear Friends and Family,

I cannot remember if I have shared this with you, but my wife, Becca,
and I will be running the Chicago Marathon in October. We are beginning
our longer runs and slowly building up...this Saturday we will run 10
miles; each weekend increases by one or two miles. Training is
sometimes tedious: not only the physical activity, but also eating lots
of wheat pasta, brown rice, sweet potatoes, chicken, and salmon. While
it sounds good to eat this food once in awhile, everyday ingestion
becomes boring. However, the feeling of accomplishment makes it all
worth the while!

I have pledged to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®
. My academic advisor recently told me about a serious medical
emergency involving his youngest son, Bo. Bo has been diagnosed with a
rare form of childhood cancer called Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB). It
is so rare that only 20-30 cases are reported each year worldwide. To
learn more about PPB, please visit: http://www.ppbregistry.org/

Jay has been a great advisor... he has worked endlessly helping me with
my education and preparing me for Ph.D. coursework. Last winter I met Bo
at a local coffee house while reviewing my portfolio work with his dad.
Since hearing about Bo's condition, I have hoped and prayed that his
smile and energy can remain at the level of that day.

Becca and I have decided to dedicate our run to Bo and St. Jude.

St. Jude helps children throughout our country receive life-saving
treatment, regardless of their family's ability to pay. Fundraising is
essential to continuing life-saving research and treatment, which is why
the St. Jude Heroes Charity Running Program was started. It is faster
and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a
donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this
message. Becca and I have set a team goal of $2,000 and a personal goal
of $1,000 each. Whatever you can give will help! We would like to
challenge all of you to help us reach our amount and hopefully go far
beyond the team goal. We truly appreciate your support and will keep
you posted on our progress.

Thank you for your support; you really do make a difference!

http://stj.convio.net/site/TR/SignatureEvent/General?px=1669122&pg=personal&fr_id=3380&et=GCDd9EXzG8NNYoHnVXYkkA..&s_tafId=24242


--Ian

Thanks Ian for dedicating his run to St. Jude's, and coincidentally, his wife Becca is the amazing Sally Bowles in the Summer Rep's Cabaret. As of my update on July 13th, you still have four more chances to see her and Ryan perform this great musical. Their performances of "Money" and "Cabaret" really are theater moments to remember!