Employee races to cure leukemia and lymphoma

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/roefs.jpg” caption=”Amy Roefs”]McMaster's Amy Roefs is taking big strides towards finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma.
The residence manager for Matthews, Moulton & Wallingford Halls, recently has undertaken the goal of running a half-marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, with a group called Team in Training.
Roefs, who is training to run the marathon in Phoenix, Arizona in January, needs to raise $5,500, which will go towards researching the leading cause of childhood cancer.
“I was inspired to run with Team in Training because leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other blood cancers, affect so many people, especially children,” says Roefs. “It was the idea that I could give something back to the community of Hamilton, and the children who fight such a hard battle, that has kept me training and fundraising.”
While she says her training is going well, she admits preparing for a 21.1 km run is difficult. “It has to be gradual so you can work your body into it. I am currently running about 7-8 km comfortably but still have a lot of training to do between now and January.”
This is Roefs' first half-marathon, and her first long distance race of this kind. She used to run short distances, and calls this race a personal challenge “I have been battling to overcome in terms of getting my body to co-operate during this training,” she says.
Roefs will run in the P.F. Chang Half-Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona on Jan. 15, 2006. To make a secure donation visit Roefs' website at http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=AmyRoefs. Donations of $10 or more will receive a tax receipt issued by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
“I believe that here at McMaster as students, staff or faculty we are very fortunate,” says Roefs. “This is my way of giving something back.”