As many of you know, our 16-year-old daughter Ava was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma about six months ago. The journey from diagnosis through treatment has been filled with scans, biopsies, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, side effects, and countless disruptions that have essentially forced our family to put much of normal life on hold.

Through it all, Ava has been an absolute trooper. She has shown an incredible amount of strength, determination, grace, and courage.

While we still have an important milestone ahead—a PET scan on September 24th to determine whether she is in remission—we are incredibly grateful for the support we've received from our family, friends, medical staff, teammates, coaches, and Ridgefield High School.

It is absolutely amazing to us that, through all of this, Ava recently completed her 8th round of treatment, joined the National Honor Society, got her driver's license, and made her high school varsity soccer team. These accomplishments are truly a testament to Ava's determination, the advances in modern medicine, the Children's Oncology Group, and the amazing medical community at Randall Children's Hospital.

As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to do something to honor Ava's tenacity and courage while also recognizing the incredible medical team and treatment that have helped get her to this point. Childhood cancer is the number one cause of death by any disease in children and receives only 4% of the federal cancer research funding. So, we've set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the Children's Oncology Group (https://childrensoncologygroup.org/) !

In an attempt to walk in Ava's shoes, on September 20, I'm going to take on the 70.3 IRONMAN Washington (https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-washington-tri-cities) in Tri-Cities, and I'm looking for sponsors to help push me across the finish line and raise money for the Children's Oncology Group.

The race starts at the Columbia Point Marina and consists of:

For a total of 70.3 miles.

Would you consider sponsoring me for $70.30—$1 for every mile—or any multiple of $70.30?

The GoFundMe to raise money for the Children's Oncology Group will help support cancer research, treatment, and the medical teams and resources that help families like ours get through incredibly difficult journeys.

Every donation, regardless of the amount, will help. Donations are tax deductible with money going straight to The Children’s Oncology Group and tax receipts provided directly to you.

I'll be thinking about Ava and everything she has fought through over these past six months with every mile. I will cross that finish line motivated by the fact that we raised some money together to help other kids and families facing the same fight.

Thank you all for the incredible support you've given our family. Let's Go!!!