If you know Kirsi...

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In honour of Kirsi

I've known Kirsi for almost 30 years. We first met when we were roommates at a small international college in British Columbia. Though we've lived on separate continents for many of the years since, we've stayed in touch, and two years ago had the opportunity to renew our friendship when we joined two other roommates for a week long vacation in Tuscany.

During that trip, I discovered that the bright, warm and loving girl I knew at the college had become a beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, and funny woman, living life with tremendous courage and grace despite the tragic loss of her husband a few years before.

On top of that loss, it must have been devastating when Kirsi received news a year ago that she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. Fortunately, Hodgkin's disease is one of the most treatable forms of cancer and her treatments have gone well so her prognosis is bright. In fact, I received word from Kirsi today that her doctors have told her there is no longer any sign of the cancer! Good news that will make my steps lighter in the coming weeks and months of training.

Because Kirsi lives so far away, I haven't been able to offer much by way of practical help or support over the past year. I am therefore grateful for the opportunity to celebrate her recovery by running the Chicago Marathon in her honour and raising money that will assist others who are battling blood cancers in the future.