The letters are out!

No turning back now.  I have sent out the letters to the prospects, requesting their participation in Striding For a Cure.  The mailing list includes coworkers, an aunt, grandparents, and many friends. 

Here is the letter they received:

Striding For A Cure

- Running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon to raise money for the

Cancer Research Institute and bring us all one ‘step’ closer to a cure -

On October 6, I am running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.

I decided since I am running 26.2 miles, I am going to make it memorable.  When I brainstormed reasons to run, I immediately thought of my patients, coworkers, friends, and family members who have been affected by cancer – especially YOU. I am tired of being a bystander.  Now is our chance to fight back.

I am running in honor and remembrance of 26 people, 1 person for each mile, who has battled cancer. My goal is $2,600 ($100 per person) and the money raised will go to the Cancer Research Institute, a charity that's advancing immunology to conquer cancer.

With your permission, I would like to dedicate a mile of the marathon to you and raise money in your name.  In return, all I ask is that you:

• Share your cancer story with me
• Spread word of my mission to your family/friends/coworkers
• If you’re able, cheer me on October 6 at your designated mile

Thank you for considering being apart of this journey.

I can’t wait to take these next steps with you!

-Andrea

Do you know a cancer survivor?  Or someone battling cancer?  Or somebody who has lost their fight?  There are still a few open spots and I'm looking for nominees!  

Find me on Facebook, send me an email at andreavorpahl@gmail.com, or post a comment if you or someone you know would like to participate.  Thanks for your support - I could not do this without you!

I fought HIPAA... and HIPAA won.

When people find out that I am a pediatric nurse, the most common response I get is, "Wow, that must be hard."  And they are right.  It is hard.  Taking care of sick kids, dealing with stressed families, and handling challenging social situations is both physically and emotionally demanding.  But I take solace in knowing that I am a part of the patient's healing process.  I help make their owies go away, spoil them with stickers for being brave during procedures, and let them eat all the popsicles, ice cream, and pizza their diet allows if it's what helps their tummy feel better.  In the end, I am happiest when they are discharged because it means they are healthy and can go home to their families.

But sometimes I am a part of the patient's dying process as well.  Being in the float pool, I have the advantage of working on all the units, including the Hematology/Oncology/Transplant unit (HOT).  This floor provides care for infants, children, teens and young adults with cancer, blood disorders, or undergoing bone marrow transplants.  Patients on this unit tend to receive care over a lengthy period of time and for that reason I have gotten to know and consistently care for some extraordinary pediatric cancer patients.  I have rubbed their backs as they puked into emesis basins, held their hands during blood draws, and even once, sang the ABC's over and over to distract a patient during a central venous line (CVL) dressing change.

While each patient puts up a courageous battle against cancer, some sadly end in defeat. I have watched kids whittle away to nothing and the light in their eyes go dim.  Cancer steals their spirit breaks their families' hearts.  It is the reality of cancer and the reason I am so passionate about raising money to advance immunology therapy.  These patients, the ones who have passed and the ones still fighting, are the heart and drive of Striding For A Cure.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to publicly honor these kids or ever be able to fully express to their families what an influence their child has made on my life.  It was my hope to include a few patients and their families in the 26 people I am dedicating the marathon to, but hospital legalities have stymied this dream.  After speaking with representatives from the legal services, risk management, and corporate compliance departments at my place of employment, it has been determined that including patients in Striding For A Cure would be in violation of privacy rights defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and defy the hospital's policies and procedures.

While I respect their decision, HIPAA, and the policies and procedures of the hospital, I am utterly disappointed.  While these children were my patients, they inspired Striding For A Cure.  But because they were my patients, they cannot take part.  It is an unfortunate paradox.  As the representative from legal services said, "There are so many privacy/confidentiality laws to protect patient/families that sometimes it puts obstacles in place for “good ideas."

Although the patients will remain nameless and their stories will go untold, their lives will not be forgotten.  Their lessons in living and loving life will far exceed their short but influential lifespans.  

Striding For A Cure is proof of that.

Because it's cheaper than therapy.

I must admit, I wasn't always into running.  I just didn't see the point.  Once, I even asked my cross-country/track-running friend, "You mean you really just run for fun?!"  "Yes," she replied, though I wasn't convinced. There had to be something more to it. 

But now I get it.

In the past couple years, running has gotten me through the stress of nursing school and the doldrums of depression.  It has made a bad day better and entirely changed my outlook on exercise.  I no longer see it as a punishment, but rather as a reward to nourish my body and soul.  

But don't be fooled, I am no early-rising Energizer bunny who pops out of bed fresh-faced and heads straight for the running shoes.  I only know one person who is like that, and I'm pretty sure she has caffeine pumping through her veins instead of blood.  Rather, I tend to wake up crabby and exhausted from the 12-hour shift I worked the day before.  It's then a game of "I should really go for a run, but... I'll wait until after I do this... and watch this... and eat this..."   It's true what Ron Clark, world record marathon holder in the 1960's said, "The hardest step for a runner to take is the first one out the door."  Because once my feet hit the pavement,  I breathe in the fresh air, and I get into the full swing of things, I revel in my decision.  In fact, the only run I've regret is the one I didn't take.

This daily internal conflict between going for a run and not has lead me to make a list of reasons I run.  On days when I think I don't have the time or energy, it's my motivation to put one foot in front of the other and get out the door. 

I RUN...

to have a good night's sleep

so I can drink as much wine/eat as much sushi as I like

because it is an excuse to buy new shoes every 6 months

to clear my head and silence my thoughts

because it gives me energy to get through the day

to give thanks to God for my health

to sweat it out

to jam out my music

because I'm in control of my mind and body

so I don't sweat the small stuff

to catch up on my audiobook

to be alone

because it is meditative

to fight my demons - mental and physical

to brainstorm my best ideas

because I get to wear comfy clothes

to hear new music

because it keeps me sane

to challenge my self-doubts

to procrastinate

to disconnect from technology
for the endorphin high (it does exist!)

because I really like carbs

to get some fresh air

to feel alive

and because it's cheaper than therapy

Got a reason you'd like to add to my list? 
Post a comment - I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Who does she think she is?

What do I know about running a marathon? The answer is, "Not much."  You see, I don't even consider myself a runner.  A runner, in my mind, equates to someone who has fast feet, speaks a language of fartleks and splits, and wears a GPS watch, fuel belt, and compression socks.  None of which apply to me. 

In fact, I didn't even start running until a couple years ago.  While home for summer break I decided to get some fresh air and took a walk.  My parents live in the country, so a walk around the block turned out to be 6 miles.  I walked the same route everyday, and eventually starting jogging for a few lengths.  By the end of the summer, I ran the entire 6 miles without walking.  That was 2007. 

Fast forward six years and I am training for my first marathon, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.  I have three half marathons and a few other distance races under my belt, but I am ready to take on the 26.2.  I have a training plan, running partner (thank you, Heidi!), and I'm passionate about the cause I'm running for. 

I decided if I'm going to run a marathon, I'm going to make it memorable.  I'm a Vorpahl, and Vorpahls do it big or don't do it at all.  When I brainstormed causes to run for, I immediately thought of my patients, coworkers, friends, and family members who have been affected by cancer.  I am tired of standing by, helpless, watching their bodies wither away and the light in their eyes go dim as the cancer overpowers their spirit.  Now is my chance to fight back.

I will be running in honor/remembrance of 26 people, 1 person for each mile, who have been changed by cancer. My goal is $2,600 ($100 per person) and the money raised will go to the Cancer Research Institute, a charity that's advancing immunology to conquer cancer. 

I invite you to join me on this journey.  Run the marathon with me! Or just join me for a mile or two on a training run.  If running is not your thing, come down to the lakefront on October 6 and cheer me on! God knows on race day I'm going to need all the support I can get.  And above all else, please share my mission with coworkers, family, friends or anyone else who will listen.  Together we can change the immunological treatment, control, and prevention of cancer.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and please check back frequently to stay updated on my training and fundraising efforts. 

-Andrea

Donations can be made at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/andreavorpahl/stridingforacure