November race benefiting the Howell family!!

Saturday is the last race of the 2015 race series! I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by!! Thanks to my sweet boy, Ben, for encouraging me to get this together.

In 2013, Mark and Christina Howell, along with their son Gabriel, was the first family I ran and fundraising for and it seems appropriate that they are the last family of this series. When I ran for this sweet family I was connected to Christina through a mutual friend and we had spoken to Christina once. Over the past two and a half years our friendship has grown and I am so blessed by this family! It is my pleasure to be able to run for Mark and Christina, this time as a true friend!

May 2013 with the Howell family

Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in the fall of 2012 and you can read the first post from his wife HERE. He is a light to be around. He continues to lean into God for strength and lives with such joy and vibrancy you can't help but love to be around him! He has graciously taken the time to write an update on how he has been doing through his cancer journey. 

"It has been awhile since my last update, but overall I am doing well and continue to wage war on the cancer battle! Over the past 18 months I have been on a drug called PD-1, which has shown great success in the Melanoma world. My health has been no exception! The drug had shrunk a large tumor in my neck that become troublesome to my windpipe, and it was able shrink it mall enough o safely remove it from my neck altogether! No recurrences in or around that area to date which is great news. I have one final traceable tumor in my abdomen, near the original surgical site. We have been tracking this tumor for about 6 months and it has stayed about the same size, and happens to be in a tricky spot to remove. I've had numerous scans performed and meet with the surgeon to identify the risk/reward potential of surgery, and to best identify what the plan should be going forward.

This next decision is a delicate one, as any potential choice has its potential pros and cons for my short and long term health potential. My family and I continue to be faithful in God that He will guide us down the appropriate path. Medical expenses continue to be a burden and impact our day to day lives, although we make the best of everything we can. We have restructured our lives so that we are able to still do fun family things occasionally, as good “experiences” and memories have become our focus over tangible items, but the weight of expenses from diet restrictions, vitamins, medications, treatments, scans, and traveling to various facilities around the USA do continue to weigh on us. We are eternally grateful for all who have helped in the form of thoughts, prayers, donations, and gifts of all kind throughout our battle and are truly humbled by the generosity shown by thousands over the past few years of our battle. The day to day fight is made easier by all your support, and we will forever be grateful for your love and generosity.

-The Howell family (Mark, Christina, and Gabriel)"

Mark and Christina have refused to forfeit their lives to cancer and all the areas it touches. They continue to be a witness of what it looks like to live in faith, even when you don't understand and the road is rough. They live in the belief that God has them safely and lovingly in His hands, which is the best place to be.

Mark ran the Warrior Dash this summer!!!

So, how can you help the Howell family?

1. Run/Walk/Cheer: I'll be running the Outrun Hunger 5K in Commerce Township on Saturday, November 7th! You can register HERE and at the race. Come on out to meet the Howell family, run, walk, and/or cheer on the other runners.

2. Donate: As Mark mentioned, there are a ton of expenses that come along with cancer. The Howells have endured 3 years of these expenses including trips to Tampa, FL at least once a month for Mark to receive treatment. Thank you so much for any donation to this family! You can make your donations one of two ways:
A. Send a check made to Mark Howell or The Mark Howell Foundation, which can be mailed to Cooper & Binkley Jewelers, 105 W. Main Street, Brighton, MI 48116

B. Go to their fundraising page by clicking on this LINK

3. Spread the word: Please send this information to your friends, share it on your social media sites, talk about Mark and Christina with your friends. Friends, cancer doesn't care what age you are, whether or not you are married, if you are a parent. Let's not ignore this disease and its effects on those we care about.

4. Pray! 
* Praise that Mark's treatments have been effective in controlling his cancer growth!!!!!!!!!!
* Prayer that the treatments will continue to be effective
* Praise for every day this sweet family gets to spend together
* Prayer for God to continue to bless them with family experiences and building memories for decades!
* Praise for Mark and Christina's desire to be a witness for Christ
* Prayer for continued advancements in melanoma research and treatments
* Praise for those in the medical field who serve families with cancer
* Prayer for the runners, walkers, and volunteers of the race

Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and donations to this family!