My daughter Nikki Gialketsis is running the LA Marathon

A heart felt letter written by Nikki:

Dear friends and family,
 
 On March 17, 2013, I will be running in a very
special event, the LA Marathon, as a part of the Hirshberg Foundation for
Pancreatic Cancer Research’s Training Program. Last year one of my good friends
ran the Los Angeles Marathon and encouraged me to make it a goal of mine for my
senior year in high school. As I started training in August, I decided I wanted
to run the marathon for more than just personal accomplishment:  I wanted to use
the opportunity to help people so I decided to dedicate my marathon to cancer
research. Throughout the last couple years, I have been greatly affected by
cancer and I am sure many of you have unfortunately been affected or met someone
affected as well. I was first introduced to the horror of cancer when I was in
6th grade and my Dad was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I had no idea what it
was, or how serious it could have been. Luckily my Dad found the right doctors
and treatment and he survived. In my freshman year (2009), I had my second
encounter with cancer. Danny Cochran, the father of one of my softball
teammates, Kori, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer for which
there is currently no cure. By our junior year in high school, after a very hard
fought battle, Kori’s father passed away leaving behind his two daughters and
wife. This year I sadly received news that a parent of another member of our
team was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In December, Colette’s mom Mitzi passed
away leaving her four daughters and husband behind. Both Danny and Mitzi were
the type of parents who were 100% dedicated to our team and were at every single
game cheering. I look up to Kori and Colette for their strength and constant
support to their parents during their battle with cancer. At the end of 2012, my
English teacher from junior year, Mr. Fish, was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer. Two short weeks later, Mr. Fish passed away. This one man affected
hundreds of kids in his 23 years of teaching at my high school and he will be
greatly missed by us all. My godmother also lost her sister and mother to
pancreatic cancer.
 
 Though cancer treatment has improved over the years,
research dollars have not kept pace and I want to do what I can to help.
Currently, the risk of developing cancer for males is 1 in every 2 men, and the
risk of a man dying from cancer is 23.08%. For women the risk of developing
cancer is 1 in 3 women, and the risk of dying is 19.39%. To an 18 year-old girl
like me, these statistics are devastating. It scares me to know what the future
may hold in store for me as well as for my loved ones. This marathon is just the
beginning of my dedications to help find a cure for cancers that affect all
areas of the globe. Pancreatic cancer has no cure and it’s the #4 cancer killer
in the United States amongst both men and women with an average life expectancy
after diagnosis of just 6 months. More than half of pancreatic cancer patients
are diagnosed at a late stage at which the 5-year survival rate is just 2%. I
cannot bear the thought of waking up one morning and finding out that me or one
of my loved ones only has a few more months at most to live. This is the reason
that I chose pancreatic cancer to be my inspiration for the 2013 LA Marathon.
The money I raise will help the Hirshberg Foundation with their mission to
support much needed research until a cure has been found. I have made a goal to
raise and surpass $1,000 before the event starts, and I would greatly appreciate
any contributions to help me achieve this goal. I am quite excited to do this
and I feel with very hard work and dedication I will accomplish not only a 26.2
mile marathon, but also save lives. Thank you so much for all your
support.
 
You can make a donation on the following
link
 
http://www.hirshbergtrainingteam.org/nikkigialketsis
 
or by sending money or a check made payable to the
Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research to me at the address
below
 
Nikki Gialketsis
1504 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
 
Any amount is greatly appreciated and all donations
are tax-deductible.

Sincerely,

Nikki Gialketsis