RunSDtoLA

Not going to sugarcoat this one as this title is exactly what I'm about to do: Run from San Diego to Los Angeles.

Here's why:

Globally, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 80 seconds, and here in the US, it is the leading cause of death in children. Not to pack an emotional 1-2 punch 10 seconds into reading this, but the statistics around pediatric cancer are incomprehensible. No child or family should have to battle something as debilitating and deflating as cancer. The physical, emotional, and even financial toll cancer poses is a tall task to overcome, so for the past 7 years, I've tried to do a small part in raising awareness and funds for various pediatric cancer organizations and individuals fighting this disease.

So that's why you're here reading this.

A few years ago, I realized that running could be my way of bringing awareness to the fact that September is nationally recognized as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. With the help and support of so many people, I've been able to do things I never thought I could do. Whether running 7 Marathons in 7 days, running from Chicago to Michigan, and doing 100 miles through the cornfields of Des Moines, Iowa, I've been able to put myself in a position to shine a small spotlight on a cause that means a lot to me. If you're asking yourself “Why not do this in September then” - you knucklehead - I'd tell you that injuries are a hell of a reason to not jump the gun on some ultrarunning feat, but that doesn’t mean I wasn't scheming up my most audacious goal yet.

So on December 9th, I, along with my crew, will run from Mission Beach in San Diego to Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles - a 125-mile journey to benefit the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in my hometown of San Francisco.

Why Benioff Children's Hospital and what's in it for you?

Each year, tens of thousands of infants, children, and teens come to UCSF from all over the globe for life-changing and even life-saving care. The work that they've done in the the local community and across the country is unmatched in helping patients and families get access to top pediatric cancer specialists, which I why I wanted to partner with them so they can continue to make sure any child gets the care they deserve.

Any way you can think of supporting me is greatly appreciated. If you have the means to contribute monetarily to this cause, amazing. If you want to come out and run a portion with me along the route, fantastic. If you want to shoot me a note and call me a knucklehead for doing this, I'll take it. For real, anyway you're able to help this cause is very appreciated.

So that's it. Let's spread some holiday cheer, support those who need it most, and have one hell of a run doing it.

Wishing you all nothing but health and happiness,

Peter

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