To London's Run and all involved:

  When Tucker was first diagnosed with Lymphoma & everything that was going on in my life at the time, I didn't know how I was going to get through this cancer thing with Tuck.  With him now being cancer free, and because of London's Run I think, how come everyone else going through cancer with a loved one isn't as lucky as we are.  The opportunity that has been given us to be apart of London's Run, has allowed for my children and I to see what serving your fellow man really means. It has allowed for us to rub shoulders with Heavenly Fathers finest, it has allowed for us to breathe financially when we could not have otherwise.  This time in our life will not only be a memory of going through chemo, and how hard that was, but it will also be very tender memories with much gratitude for so many complete strangers to us.  People that went out of their way and went way above the call of duty.  London's Run leaves me with the feeling that I can try harder to become more than I am now.

Thanks to you all,

Love, Sandy Mc

Thank you!

I cant tell or thank everyone involved in London's Run enough, for everything they've done for me and my family, and everything they continue to do. The event, honestly is LIFE CHANGING, and the aid it has given is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I love you all for all the priceless time you put into making this great thing possible, and especially to London and her family, for knowing and agreeing in the pre-existance what they were going to do, and how many lives they were going to bless. 

Thank you, I love you all, and I cant wait till next years run. 

Tucker McElhaney

Committee Dinner Honors Volunteers

Last night we had a dinner at Heather's house to honor our volunteers and all those who make London's Run a success. For those of you who weren't able to make it, we missed you and wished you could have been there. We had a yummy dinner provided by Food City and then a London's Run Trivia Quiz. Then there was a little program led by Heather where she named our 2 volunteers of the year: Shanda Riggs and Michelle Solomon. A nurse from Phoenix Children's Hospital shared her experience working with children who have cancer and how much fundraisers like this mean. Then we presented the Wendt and McElhaney families with the money we raised for them. They were able to share a few words too. After emphasizing that London's Run's mission is not to just raise money for cancer patients and PCH, but it's also to provide the opportunities for families to do something for someone else and raise awareness about these childhood cancer, our 2008 net total of $40,000! It was a really neat evening and was an excellent way to close an excellent year! 

Nancy

From Caringbridge.com

You don't know me. My friend Kandee Baldwin showed me this site. I have enjoyed with mixed emotions reading about your daughter and looking at her pictures. We have one thing in common. I lost my little girl to cancer 3 years ago. Jan. 25th. I think Charlee and London know each other. Charlee would love London for a little sister. She loved animals too, lived at PCH, had a bald head and endured chemotherapy. I had heard about you from Kandee and my heart goes out to you. I wish I would have visited this site before now. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Love,
Char Hawkins

Another London!

My name is Melissa Palys and I am writing to you from Concord, New Hampshire. I came across this website while looking at homes in Queens Creek as my family is looking to move to the Phoenix area. I wanted to share that I have a 1 year old named London as well. What a beautiful name. I wish I could attend the run--maybe next year when I we relocate there. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melissa Palys
Concord, NH

Honored to Participate

My name is Terri Galvan, I participated in London's Run this morning. I have several friends that have told me about London & I was honored to participate today. When I was coming around the last turn of the 10K, I looked at the photo on the sign & recognized Heather. I used to serve in the Stake Sports program up by Red Mt High School with Heather. I remember what an amazing mom she was & what a great example she was to me. I just wanted to let your family know that you are in our prayers, keep up the good work & you will once again hold London in your arms.
Sincerely,
Terri Galvan

Inspired by the Fight Against Cancer

I too ran today in the Half Marathon and was moved to emotion at the display there at the race; the pictures, the story of London's brief life and her fight with cancer. It was both touching and inspiring to read about and to hear you talk about your daughter and what had happened. I feel like I can relate with it in so many ways.I have a nephew who was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) a little over a year ago while serving his mission in Seattle. He was sent home to begin 2 1/2 years of very aggressive treatment. We all thought things would go smoothly but the roller coaster ride had barely just begun. If it wasn't one thing it was something else. First he developed double vision. Then they realized the double vision was a result of a blood clot that had developed in his brain caused by one of the chemo drugs. In addition to chemo they then put him on heavy blood thinners. They made a mistake with his prescription for blood thinners to treat the blood clot and for several weeks the blood clot worsened before it was discovered. In addition to that, osteonecrosis of the spine - another nasty side effect from a different chemo drug also set in. He ended up on a morphine drip for 6 weeks to treat the pain from the osteonecrosis. This and several other things. Currently he has 1 1/2 years left of treatment. It has been heart wrenching and difficult being thousands of miles from them and unable to do anything except pray and put their names on the prayer roll at the temple. It is a helpless feeling. I tried to do something though and got involved with Team in Training and ran a marathon (my first - St. George) to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was a challenging and rewarding experience. There were times during training and during the race I wanted to quit and stop but I didn't.My nephew and his family still have plenty of challenges ahead. Already he and they have been an inspiration to me and to many others. He once remarked to my sister that he was grateful for having Leukemia because it has changed him and how he views life, the world and what's important. He couldn't imagine going through life without something like that to help him see. I have no doubt that you could probably say something similar, that your perspective on life and what is important has been vastly altered by London's life and her fight with cancer.When I signed up for this race (London's Run) I didn't really look at London's story or the details behind the race. The race initially appealed to me because it was on Saturday. I realize now there is so much more to the story. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and London's story with the rest of us today. It gave me a new and deeper reason to run and to finish well. It reminded me of my nephew and his fight. I wanted to find you after the race and hear and learn more about you and London and tell you about my nephew. Thank you so much for putting this event together. It was inspiring and I enjoyed all of it. I am already looking forward to next year's run and I know a few people I am going to bring with me as well.Thank you and God bless.
Stephen Thompson
Tempe, AZ
United States

London's Run Committee Member

Thank you for letting me a part of London's Run. Your vision and belief in leading London's Run is impressive. How do you do it? It has been a truly a rewarding, inspiring, and heart warming opportunity for me I have watched your family with admiration and respect X-Hotmail-From: from the moment I moved into the ward. You are amazing - such spiritual strength. London touched my heart in ways that few have in my life. She gave me a great desire to serve others. She gave me a window into the suffering of others and their tremendous courage in the face of it. London's Run was an opportunity for me to be a part of your journey, it was a privilege. Funny how simple tasks like stuffing goodie bags or picking oranges can bring such satisfaction. Thank you for your patience with my endless questions about things that were not your main concern, I'm sure. Thank you for allowing me the chance to grow. I'll be even better next year ! I'll look forward to hearing the results of all our hard work!
Thanks again,
Much Love,
Melinda

Arizona Running Events Fan

THANK YOU for a great London's Run this morning! I know there was a delay for the 1/2 marathon times, but frankly, the longer the race, the less I care about the time details. Besides, I have a functioning watch, and it registered a welcome 7+ minute PR, at approximately 1:44:10 (the latter probably 11 or 12 on your official clock). My previous best was 2 years ago in my first 1/2, the Phoenix/Tempe Rock & Roll, with 1:51:24. It's been a long road back from over 18 months of rotating injuries, "earned" while preparing for my first marathon, which I was not able to run. Maybe next year...My daughter also ran this morning, and also had a PR (1:53-ish on your clock; 1:49-ish on her watch, as she stopped her timer for an "incredibly necessary" port-a-john stop @ 7 miles). Her previous best was 1:56 & change, also 2 years ago at the Rock & Roll. Even with the stop, it was a 3 minute PR.First of all, we did NOT miss the loud bands of the R & R!! We both much prefer the quiet paths and streets of rural Queen Creek. However, next year, could you arrange for a temperature of approximately 10 degrees warmer at 7 a.m.? Thank you so much.... ;-)Your events are my favorite in which to participate. The last one before this was the similarly-enjoyable Gilbert Days 5K. You are the best!!!I've attached a photo of daughter & me soon after her finish.
Bruce

Inspired

This was a wonderful event and I'm glad it was a success. I particularly liked seeing the pictures of the various children along the way. That definitely inspired me through some of the challenging portions.

I will definitely run this again next year.
Jay

In the Country

Just wanted to let you know I really enjoy your event – the peaceful run in the country is wonderful and the cause is even better.
Jack

Short and Sweet!

Thanks so much for a wonderful day! We enjoyed the route, food and great friends!
:) Mitzi

Stay At Home Mom

I am a normal, run of the mill stay-at-home mommy who has been running to get fit after having 3 kids. I have been running for several months now, but only did my first race on Thanksgiving day... a 5K! I was so proud of myself for participating in that race. My sister in law, then, sent me the link for London's Run. I felt so strongly about this! Even just through the website. It invigorated me and really motivated me to be ready and be strong for my 2nd run... my 1st 10K at Schnepf Farms! I worked through different pains and injuries and time constraints and weather conditions and flu season with 3 children. All components put together did not stop me or even dampen my spirits. So many times I would want to walk or stop while training for some distance runs, but I would always tell myself that 'I run for those who cannot run for themselves!'. Being able to be even a small part of London's run was awesome. It reminds me to be joyful for my body and grateful for my health and the health of my sweet children. I helped recruit a few more racers for that day, but after telling so many about my emotional experience running for that cause, hopefully they will be there running along with me next year. Until then I will continually run for those who cannot run for themselves every time I run!!

Thanks for the amazing experience!
Alisa

Inspiring to Everyone!

It was great running for a wonderful cause and being able to help some families with their treatments. I was hit by a drunk driver almost 12 years ago and was tagged dead. It wasn't unti the 3rd day that they knew that I would make it. I have a rod in my femer, screws in my pelvic, and I had a collapsed lung that was punctured by some broken ribs. I had temporary paralysis for about 7 months and had to teach myself to sit, walk, move my legs, and the upper right side of my body again. 4 years later I was a passenger in a vehicle and the tire blew and we rolled on the freeway 5 times going about 85 miles at the time. I suffered brain injuries. I have always loved to run, but haven't since then. It was to painful. Last year I had a trainer encourage me to try and run the PF Changs Run in January this year. I started training in Nov. I could barely do 1.6 miles of a combination of running and walking together and afterwards it felt like someone sat on my chest the rest of the day. There were days that I wanted to give up but I kept telling myself that I couldn't give up because I would give the control back to those who hit me in my car accidents. I knew I couldn't be ready by January, so I went online and found the London Run and told myself that I was going to do that run no matter what.

As I ran on Saturday, I saw those kids pictures and they are fighting for something that I was fighting for for years- LIFE- just in different ways. What an awesome group of kids and how much they have inspired and strengthened people just by their example. This experience has changed my life forever, I am grateful for the strength they gave each of us to help us finish the race. I did it!! Ran the whole thing in 2 hours and 33 minutes. You guys- keep on smiling and keep up the hard work.

Indebted,Sariah

PCH lover

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the experience and to have it be for such a wonderful cause makes it so much more rewarding. This was my first ever 1/2 marathon. I'm so glad I chose London's run. My work frequently takes me to Phoenix Children's Hospital - it is a special place - thanks for giving me a way to feel that I am helping. Troy and Tucker - you are heros - keep it up.

Sincerely,
MaryAnne

First Time

I just wanted to thank all those involved in the run on Saturday. I had never participated in a race, nor an event like this. I had never run more than 2 miles at a time but I’ve always wanted to try a race. I only saw the newspaper article last week but I decided to try it anyway. Thank you also for having it on a Saturday and at a reasonable price. So I ran the 10K and surprised myself that I finished and with a better time than I anticipated. Anyway, it was a marvelous event. There was so much spirit and energy and camaraderie there. London’s mom’s opening remarks brought me to tears and I appreciated the Star Spangle Banner and opening prayer by her family members. The pictures along the race route inspired me to keep going because London and others have endured much harder things. Thanks to you and all the volunteers for a wonderful, memorable day. I’ll be back.

Kathy

P.S. The weather just couldn’t have been more perfect!

This was our first year running in London's Run as we are new to the area. We really enjoyed not only the run, but all of the events associated with the day. The part of the run we enjoyed the most was the pictures of the friends and family of London posted along the route. It was so inspiring and really did push us to perform our best in the run. More pictures in future runs - we loved them! We look forward to participating and/or volunteering in years to come.
Barb & Jason

Great Race!

I had a great time at London’s run last year and also this year. I love that it benefits the children and young adults but there are even more positive aspects to the race. First of all the volunteers are the best! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Thank you for the fire pits beforehand, a delayed start (I was in line for the bathroom so I can really appreciate this!), and goodies on the half marathon course which this year include powerade and Gu (very helpful treats!). I also loved seeing the smiling pictures along the way- the strength and spirit of the kids is very inspirational!

Also, the course is pretty and relaxing. This is my favorite run in the valley because it has a little bit of everything and is a very nice experience. I hope all the positive things I experience from this event trickle down to those who the event benefits. I recommend this event as a must-do for anyone!
Anne

Recovering From Knee Surgery

My daughter and I participated in the 2 mile Fun Run and what a wonderful experience. My daughter Trellany is friends with Ashley Denham who I believe is London's cousin and they ran a few years ago when 'London's Run' first took off. The signaficance of this year's run for us was that Trellany had major knee surgery the middle of December due to her knee cap being dislocated during her Volleyball season at Gilbert High School. This was a major knee surgery due to the fact that in order to secure he knee cap and fix it from permanently dislocating they went in and broke part of her tibia, shifted it over and then placed two screws through her knee to tie everything in place. It has been (6) weeks since her surgery and she is doing really well with all the physical therapy and strengthening exercises she is working on to rebuild her leg but we are still a long way away before she will know whether she will be able to compete in Volleyball again which is her greatest passion and she has been playing since 7th grade.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because she is a fighter just like London and there was nothing that was going to stop her from participating in the event this year. When she asked me if she could do the event I said "sure but honey you won't be able to run" and she said I know Mom but if I can just walk the 2 miles then I will have made a small contribution.

We walked the 2 miles and WOW...not only were we excited that we did it for London but it was also a milestone for Trellany to know that all the hard work she is doing with physical therapy and building her knee back up that she is progressing (slow baby steps) but to have been able to achieve this one small goal was a bright shining moment for all of us.

When she completed the walk she said to me "Mom...I want to do the 10K next year" so the goal has been set and we will proudly be back next year to walk/run for London.
Tava

Experienced Runner

Over the last decade, I have participated in races ranging from one to one-hundred miles. Most I run for the health benefit. This is the only race I look forward to each year and run for the soul.I am not of the community and am not intimate with the families. However, this race exudes family and community. You go for a few hours and for a few hours you belong. There is no other race like it and while I have mostly given up my other racing pursuits, I look forward to participating in this event next year and the years to follow. Don