| Why marathonwithleukemia.org? My name is Phillip Fields, born 1947. I am a professor of Anatomy at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine where I teach Human Anatomy to MD, PA and PT students. My life consists of God, teaching, and running marathons. In 2007, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). In February 2009, I began a quest to complete a marathon in each state. Due to an inspirational event, I developed this website in January 2011 as a way to raise funds for Nemours in the research and treatment of pediatric cancer. The site will be updated constantly with new photos from my trips. You can contact me at pfields@southalabama.edu or call 251-460-6766. MARATHON COUNTDOWN: As of December 2012, 52 States in 47 Months with a marathon completed in all 50 states + DC. I used up my 30 years of accumulated vacation time and will have to let the time build back up before starting back. My new goal is a marathon in all Canadian Provinces beginning June 16, 2013. Click on My Story for more. |
| Why Nemours? For the first year and half, I kept my diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) a private matter. Then at the Prairie Fire Marathon in Wichita, Kansas, the race director wanted me to provide a story for the local paper. While staying at the host hotel for the marathon, I received a phone call from an “Angel”. A lady by the name of Melanie found where I was staying and called me. She said she read the article and was inspired by the fact that I continued to run marathons even though I have leukemia. She then described how her young daughter was undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. Unfortunately, I did not get her full name but she is the one who inspired me to develop this website and to support Nemours, a children’s health system that treats children with cancer at their locations in Delaware and Florida. After my roller coaster ride of clinical test, diagnosis of leukemia, second opinions, uncertainty of the effects of chemotherapy or its ability to properly treat CLL, I cannot imagine what a child must go through during a similar experience. It is one thing to have had a great life and then be diagnosed with cancer, but a totally different situation for a young child with very little knowledge of what cancer is about and with his or her whole life ahead of them. Through his will, founder Alfred I. duPont established a Testamentary Trust with specific instructions to create a charitable organization called Nemours (named for his family’s homeland in France) primarily devoted to providing health care services to children. Nemours provides an integrated system of care which includes hospital- and clinic-based specialty care, primary care, prevention, research, and medical education designed to improve the lives of children and families. In addition to clinical treatment, Nemours provides social support for both the children and their family that is designed to address psychosocial and emotional needs. If desired, Nemours makes available a pastoral care staff and volunteers who are trained to respect the religious values of families without imposing any particular beliefs or values. Lastly, Nemours provides financial assistance for families that do not have insurance to cover treatment expenses. Personally, I cannot think of a better charity than one that provides this type of comprehensive care to children with cancer. This is why I have made the first Platinum donation in memory of my Mother. All donations given through my website go directly to Nemours for the treatment of children with cancer. A Story: Dr. Fields, I'm from Jacksonville, FL where there is a Nemours/Wolfsons children's hospital that I've spent a great deal of time at. I can't speak for others, but it is a wonderful place. It wasn't for me, but for a younger cousin, who finally passed a few years ago at the age of 21. I spent many spring breaks and summers in there with her keeping her company when I was younger and she was 5-10. They would do great things for the kids, bringing in clowns, the cow for some ice cream brand (can't recall the brand, but it was Elsie the cow), silly dress up events and all kinds of things for the kids. They always took great care of my cousin, and thought you might like to hear from someone who has seen first hand how great they are. For the complete story about Nemours, go to http://www.nemours.org/welcome.html NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL! If everyone who viewed this site donated just $5-10 the donations would quickly add up. |
