I’m finding it hard to believe that we’re finally here, so I figured I should do what I always do when I need to sort things out: make a list. Okay, so here are the things I know to be true.

• This weekend (May 18th and 19th) is the Colfax Marathon Weekend in Denver. This includes a 5K on Saturday and a 10-mile, half marathon, full marathon, and full marathon relay on Sunday.
• The Second Annual Running for Nana Team is 38 PEOPLE STRONG. We have team members joining us from Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, and Illinois.
• Each of these extraordinary humans will be raising awareness for Achieving Cures Together (ACT) and their incredible life-saving efforts to end C. difficile and other awful conditions like it.
• The immense generosity of so many has made it possible for us to raise almost $5,000 already of our $20,000 goal for ACT. These funds directly support treatment for those suffering from C. difficile, and will help make it possible to continue to provide treatment and research in the future.
• This is all true and really happening, and is not a dream in my head (don’t worry, I just pinched myself to make sure).

I just want to thank you again for being a part of this adventure. I truly believe that because of the work of ACT and its partner agencies, there will be a day when people won’t have to suffer from C. difficile like my Nana did. And that is just plain incredible.

If you’d like to support ACT in this mission, please visit our Fundraising Page, linked here: https://www.achievingcures.com/colfaxmarathon

Also, here is a link to a wonderful information/resource sheet that was put together by Peter Westerhaus, founder of ACT, and Dr. Khoruts, with the University of Minnesota’s Microbiota Therapeutics Program. It details some of the current work, and also looks toward future goals: ACT Write-Up for Colfax Marathon

This will be the last post until after race weekend, and I know you are all busy people, so I’ll sign off for now with just one more thought.

When my sister and I were in high school marching band, our parents and Nana used to come to all of our parades and competitions. I could always find our family along the parade route, because as we got closer, I would hear “Gooooooo Emmie!! Heeeeeeyyyy Abbe!!,” and any other iteration that would get our attention (which of course, was never broken, as good marching band students…). When I think about running this half marathon, I just try to picture Nana on the sidelines and can hear her say, “Gooooooo Emmie!”. And, she would have learned the names and faces of each one of our team members, and she’d be yelling just as loudly for each and every one of them as well.

Here’s to you, Nan. We wouldn’t be here without you, and what a gift it will be to be together. I know you’re with us this weekend somehow, too.

I love you more!  Love, Emily