Hope Express Reflections

As I type this, the 2014 Hope Express team is making their way from Hershey to Penn State....by foot. I wrote a similar post around this same time last year, about how being so far from an event that is so close to me leaves me with so many emotions. As I obsessively follow the team's travels via social media, I'm transported back to my own experiences from 2011 and 2012. While there are so many moments in life that I love and hold close to me, I always refer back to the "magic" and those feelings from those two nights. I think for me, it's the selflessness that comes along with an event such as this. Similar to THON, people who were virtually strangers prior to the event are suddently doing literally ANYTHING for one another. I'm lucky to have friends and family who I've known for years who I know would bend over backwards for me, and I for them, but seeing people come together for a common purpose, people who otherwise may never had, is such a pure example of the human spirit. In our daily lives, we can lose track of that and reliving my experiences with THON and Hope Express bring me back to that. It sometimes feels like finding your way again, even when you didn't even realize you were lost. 

I haven't run in close to two months now, and this definitely makes me feel a strong pull to. want to do so. The time away has been intentional, but thankfully not due to injury or anything forced. Nevertheless, it's diffferent feeling these emotions on a run than it is sitting here typing. Even the best emotions can be overwhelming and in the past few years, I've found that regardless of the feeling, running helps me to slow down and take it all in.

While I don't think it'll ever get easier to be this far from Hope Express, I'm easily reminded that it doesn't need to always be this way. My hope is that some years I'll return to the mix, while for others, I will remain there in spirit, cheering from afar. Regardless of where I am though, it's a comfort to know that during that 24 hour stretch each year, my heart will be on those roads, crushing those mountains, fighting this fight. We say that when cancer is no more, we'll run(/dance) for joy, but until then...everything we do is for a cure.

Why We Dance: The Story of THON

Last Thursday, "Why We Dance: The Story of THON" premiered. As always, I was excited to see and hear stories of THON, but the hour-long look at THON was better than anything I could have imagined. Seeing familiar faces and places on my living room television (thank you apple TV) felt so good. After nearly a year of generalized publicity, everyone should know about and experience Penn State's greatest point of pride - raising millions of dollars for the kids. 

THON had an incredible impact on my four years at Penn State, and even greater, on who I am today. It taught me about the power a group of people can have and the value of commitment, hard work, and dedication. When I think about all the hours I have spent running, and then of course, pondering running and the level of commitment it requires, I am baffled by the fact that I somehow "danced" (stood! remained awake!) for 46 hours straight. The spirit of THON is contagious and it drives people to do unthinkable things. It's an experience I carry with me everywhere I go - when I'm teaching a challenging class, when I'm faced with a problem at work, when I set out to run a half-marathon. 

The documentary brought to the surface so many emotions. It felt like I was right back in it - running through the tunnel to kick off the weekend, counting down the last seconds of 46 hours, running 135 miles from Hershey to Penn State. While THON is a huge part of me, running as part of Hope Express was something I could be an integral part of. Seeing clips of our party at Hershey (32 minutes in - check us out!), legs of the run, and dancing on stage at THON. Even thinking about it now, I feel the emotions all come back. When we talk about Hope Express, we talk about being a family and that's what it truly is. It's people coming together for an incredible cause and supporting one another. I thought nothing could surpass dancing for 46 hours at THON and it will always be an incredible experience I carry with me, but the 24 hours (TWICE!) from Hershey to Penn State are some of the most special of my life. 

I'm so thrilled this documentary is now something that can be shared with the world, beyond the borders of Pennsylvania. Not everyone is or will be connected to THON, but it's inspiring and encouraging. Everyone should find their own THON - the thing that makes them push themselves, a cause that drives them to take on incredible challenges in the name of helping lessen the burden of another. 

Hope Express 2012 - Leg 3/THON

(I'm dragging my feet here, but here is the final post about Hope Express 2012!)

After that second leg, I didn't even let myself really think twice about the last one. I knew Ryan, along with his parents and mine, would be meeting us at the start of my leg, and, even better, I was going to have company! Allie and Morgan (and then Mark) had all said they were going to run with me. I felt a little badly, because part of me wanted to prove I could do it on my own...but that wasn't why they were joining in. They each had their own reasons for wanting to run, and I was just nice enough to offer up my leg to share (you offer and it's yours!).

Obviously having company totally changed the last leg, because it was social! Allie, Morgan, and Mark were all part of last year's HE team with me, so that alone made it extra special to be running together. I consider these three some of the most legit runners I know, so getting to run with them, especially in the name of a cause we all care about so much, was a huge honor....and made it fun, instead of 6 miles focusing on the pain and need for sleep. Thanks to them/that run, I have officially accepted the fact that I am a RUNNER!....seems a little obvious, but it was a good pill to swallow.

It's always so special to be back at THON, and after we arrived to State College and had just enough time to shower/eat real food, we ran the final mile together as a team and went on stage at THON. Every time I'm there brings me back to when I danced in 2008. There's no doubt in my mind that some of my most treasured memories from PSU/in life have been made at THON. Being on state with the HE team is just another to add to the jar.

The whole weekend was wonderful, spent with teammates, family, and friends. We had to leave mid-afternoon on Sunday, since Ryan had classes on Monday AM (and lots of work he neglected thanks to me!). We listened to some of family hour - a time when Four Diamonds families share their inspirational stories - in the car, but it cut in and out. I really wanted to see the total be revealed at 4:00, so we stopped at a rest stop in Ohio to eat Panera/set up shop. Luckily, we had a good connection and streaming was working well. It was amazing to see the total - $10,686,924.83 raised FOR THE KIDS! I didn't think I could feel any better/happier/more on top of the world after such an incredible weekend, but that did it. That sent me over the moon.

The entire thing was amazing (I'm running out of words to use to even try to describe it all!), and I am so grateful for ALL the amazing people in my life who helped me, with their words, encouragement, donations, and runner's mail. Hope Express is always hard to explain, so as a thank you/peek into the event, I made a video to share the event with the people who mean the most to me.

What is Hope Express?

So much more to come in a little bit!

PSU Thon, Hope Express Join Forces - Video - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

Hope Express Helps Raise Thousands for Four Diamonds Fund

40 years of THON!

Received an email about THON today, which included this:

Last year, THON raised $9.59 million for children battling cancer and gave nearly 97 percent of all funds raised to The Four Diamonds Fund. The Fund supports a team of pediatric oncologists, enables innovative cancer research through The Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute, and offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover. Additionally, THON has contributed $10 million to the construction of a new Children’s Hospital at Hershey Medical Center, which is set to open in the fall of 2012.

Holy, holy smokes. Gives me chills. So beyond Penn State proud!

Hope Express EXTREME Team 2012!

Family and Friends,

As many of you may know, I had the incredible privilege of running in last year’s Hope Express 2011. The 135-mile, 24-hour journey from Hershey to Penn State was truly magical. We

conquered mountains and miles to bring letters of hope and encouragement from the children at Hershey Medical Center to the an annual Dance MaraTHON. Each year this 46-hour event – known affectionately to most as “THON” - raises millions of

dollars to support the families of the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization that helps families who have children with pediatric cancer. This year I’m challenging myself to be a part of Hope Express’s Extreme Team - half the runners covering the same distance. If selected to be a runner, I will run three 6-mile legs up grueling hills and through whatever unpredictable February weather central Pennsylvania may bring! Running is not something that comes easily to me, but it would be an honor to bring hope to those who have no choice but to stand tall in their fight against cancer.

The Four Diamonds Fund provides both financial and medical support to its families during their battle with cancer. Families’ involvement in THON provides them with a renewed sense of hope, and a reminder to not give up, no matter how hard times may get. Hank and Connie Angus, parents of Gabe, a Four Diamonds child, began Hope Express in 2007 as a way to bridge the gap between THON and the children on the 7th floor at Hershey Medical Center. Families whose children are too sick to attend THON weekend are now able to have some of the magic brought to them, and their words and letters are given to the Hope Express runners to carry on their backs during the 24-hour relay all the way to Penn State.

Please consider supporting me this year as part of Hope Express in honor and support of the Four Diamonds families. Every donation, regardless of the amount, brings us one step closer to conquering childhood cancer. Personally, I have set a goal to raise $1,800, and I can only achieve it with your support. Donations can be easily made online. If you prefer, however, you may opt to mail a check - email me and I will send my address. Even though the run is not until February, I would greatly appreciate it if donations are made by November 1, as this is when runners will be officially selected for the Extreme Team.

As I train for the relay, I am able to explore my new home in Michigan in a new and unique way, and it helps me to feel connected to the things that matter to me most, even if I’m far from home. I am so grateful for all of your help, love, and support, which inspire me to give to this incredible cause. As always, please feel free to follow my journey by visiting here often, as I will continue to write about running and my experiences training for the big event.

For the Kids,

Darian

THON is tomorrow!/HE IS TODAY!!!

I CANNOT believe it's today! I woke up with such a range of emotions - excitement, uncertainty (what is this all going to look like?!), nerves, and plain 'ol fear. I feel like I'm on such a roller coaster just sitting here alone even. There are moments when I think - Can I really do this? And then it's followed with - I don't have a choice. The children at Hershey Medical//all over the world don't have a choice to fight their battle any less or to give up. I originally set out to participate in Hope Express to bring hope to others. I think of all the people in my life who inspire me - ordinary people doing extraordinary things. When it comes down to it, that's what I want my life to be - filled with extraordinary things that make a difference in the lives of others. I think it has to be, or else what am I even doing here?

My inbox has been filling up over the past few days with emails of inspiration and encouragement from past runners of Hope Express. I think about the time we will spend today at Hershey Medical with the kids, the reason this crazy dream was ever even dreamed. Life deals out so many cards that are out of our control. There are so many things we have no say over, good and bad. When I think about THON and about Hope Express and about so many of these amazing families I realize that it's not that black and white. Life must be all about the stuff in the middle - the things we do have control over, the place where we can work to make the bad better, where we can celebrate the good, the place where we can help one another. I chose to do this because of those who don't have a choice, whose cards were unfairly dealt, and whose battles are daily. Penn Staters talk about THON being a celebration, and I think it really is...it's a CELEBRATION of life, striving to make the lives we have the best ones they can be...which of course also means finding a cure so these kids can live all the days of their lives.

I feel like my heart is beating out of my chest with excitement and nerves and I can't believe that after YEARS of imagining what this would be like, it's finally here! Here's something important info:

• We leave Hershey at 6pm!
• Here's the map of the run.
• I will be running the 5th leg/miles 13-15, around 8pm; leg 19/miles 55-57, around 3:30am; and leg 34/miles 100-102, around 11:30am tomorrow morning!

Donations can still be made here (www.thon.org). Click "Organizations," and then select "Hope Express - Darian Leib!"

ONE WEEK!

Family and Friends,

In just one week from now, I will be leaving from Hershey Medical Center with 14 other runners on a 24-hour journey to cover the 135 miles from Hershey to Penn State. This running relay will be to bring hope to the families of the Four Diamonds Fund, families whose battles against cancer extend far beyond those 24 hours. I am honored to be running as part of this year's Hope Express and cannot wait to hit the road three times throughout the 24 hours for these incredible children and their families.

While spreading the word about what the Four Diamonds Fund does, our mission is also to raise money to help these families better fight their battle with cancer. Donations can be madehere (select Organizations, and then Hope Express - Darian Leib). No donation is too small, and every little bit helps take THON one dollar closer to beating last year's total of over $7.8 million raised for the kids! For those who have already donated, THANK YOU so much from the bottom of my heart! I am still waiting for an exact list of online donations, but your letters and support mean the world to me. It is only with your love and support that I have been able to even dream of participating in this event.

I will be (or try to be better at) updating my blog (http://starsinthesky24.blogspot.com )over the next few days as the event gets closer, and I will sure to write all about the experience when I return from Penn State next week!

Thank you again for all your support!

For the Kids,

Darian

now and then//135 miles FTK!

For about three weeks now, I've "enjoyed" (I do use that word very loosely) the aftermath of the half-marathon, allowing my body and mind to unwind and relax. While I've tried to not detach myself from my routine completely, it certainly has been busy and my running sneakers have remained in the closet more often than not. Nevertheless, I think it's important for me to stop and digest still, rather than keep going without getting it. When I look back at my post from the day of the race, and I still think, "Did that really happen?"

My time-out is drawing to a close, however, and I'm SO excited about it. Last week, I was selected as an alternate runner for the Hope Express (fka Thon Express), a 15 person relay covering the 135 miles from Marathon Avenue at Hershey Medical Center to Penn State's Dance MaraTHON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the WORLD! THON raises money, year-round, for the Four Diamonds Fund, which funds research and serves to battle and CONQUER childhood cancer. Each runner will run three 3-mile legs and the event will take place in the 24 hours leading up to the start of THON, February 18, 2011.

I'm so excited to FINALLY have the chance to be a part of Hope Express. With my half-marathon behind me, I feel it's a challenge I'm super excited to take on....especially since, as an alternate, I won't know if I will be running until possibly right beforehand. The idea of preparing for something that could not happen would have originally FREAKED me out (re: commitment? forgetaboutit), but if this year has taught me anything, it's that I can do it. Just after learning the news that I will be part of the team as an alternate, runner's world so appropriately sent me this quote (I just love them and their timing!):

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you were meant to be." - George Sheehan

THON was a huge part of my undergraduate experience at Penn State, and I am thrilled to be involved in supporting the Four Diamonds Fund again by being a part of the incredible Hope Express team.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered..to the mailbox.

Despite my recent injury setback, I spent today walking quickly to the post office (en route to the car to take me to the supermarket, but those are minor details) to mail my paperwork into Team Hole in the Wall! While training for my half-marathon, I will be fundraising for the Hole in the Wall Camps. The Hole in the Wall Camps make up the largest family of camps for child with life-threatening diseases. In 2007, I spent a week volunteering at The Painted Turtle in California. My week at the Painted Turtle was eye opening - honestly much too big for this quick post, but I will share soon! This summer, I have the incredible chance to spend a week at the original Hole in the Wall camp, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut. I'm super pumped, especially since the BIG EVENT will be lurking around the corner by then! I have set the goal of raising $2,500 for the Hole in the Wall Camps, which will cover the cost of one child to be sent to camp for a week. Of course, all donations, no matter the size, are appreciated. Learn more about my fundraising, and stay tuned - competitive activity in the name of the cause is on its way....who doesn't love healthy competition in the name of philanthropy?

I have casually considered running an event such as this some time now, but it is honestly this cause that makes me able to believe I can pull it off. In 2007, Tina and I danced in Penn State's Dance MaraTHON, a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping, NO KIDDING! dance marathon. How? Because there are people who need that. There are some people that consider that their Disney! When I was at Painted Turtle, I remember thinking how it really felt like anything was possible. It felt like there were no rules, no limits, that anything was possible. And it had it....the campers were so often given limits and told "no" - they deserve a place made completely and incredibly that revolves around them.

I should be back to my running sched this weekend, and I am actually looking forward to it!


(it was really sunny....)