September—which happens to be Blood Cancer Awareness Month—came to a close recently, and I’m absolutely honored to have been a part of the Team In Training Resilience Challenge. Not only did it motivate me to move more, but also I learned more about the fight against cancer and how Team In Training supports that effort.

This challenge was a month-long movement and fundraising effort dedicated to supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission to “cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”

My family has fundraised before for the LLS through our daughter’s school, and it’s always a top-notch experience. You are supported along every step of the way—via email, phone calls, Facebook, YouTube, and so on. It’s not just about fundraising, but forming a bond for life!

The challenge was to raise as much as you could for this cause ($500 was the goal) and move 50 miles in September.

Along with an amazing and active Facebook community, you got the following supports/items:
-Resilience Challenge Playlist
-Fundraising and Social Media Toolkit
-Badges and Achievement Milestones
-Digital Finisher Certificate
-Virtual Finisher Medal
-Virtual Post-Race Celebration

On a daily basis, the Facebook community brought a renewed sense of purpose for each step that I took. I’d find myself tearing up reading members’ personal stories or tributes to lost loved ones. The sense of community and one purpose is so strong!

I ended up moving over 204 miles in September—including running, biking, walking, and moving indoor miles on a pedal bike. I had purpose in every step or pedal that I took and hope in my heart. I would highly recommend this challenge in future years!