Chelsea Volkerts (my daughter) is going to run the Florence Marathon to supports AIDS Research. Your Support is Requested.

Chelsea Volkerts is my daughter and this will be her first Marathon. I sincerely request that you consider supporting her in this effort. It’s a long run and she needs your support.

Thank you,

Russ Fletcher

Founder- Montana Associated Technology Roundtables

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My name is Chelsea Volkerts, and this year I have decided to participate in the AIDS marathon in Florence Italy on November 25th, 2007 http://aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=SF-5242 . This is a full 26.2 mile marathon. During my six month training program, I am running farther each week. By the end of the program, I expect to have logged in over 500 miles. It’s all part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, which raises money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the leading provider of AIDS services in the Bay Area.

Although a lot of progress has been made, the AIDS epidemic is far from over. More than one million Americans, and 42 million others throughout the world, are now living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The Bay Area has one of the highest rates of AIDS in the nation- one in fifty people here are living with HIV.

The money we raise will allow the San Francisco AIDS Foundation to continue to provide vital AIDS services and support needle exchange programs throughout the Bay to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Proceeds will also fund the Pangaea Fund, a new initiative to support vaccine preparedness and HIV Treatment access in the developing world.

This is why I am committed to raise at least $4,200 before August 17th, although I would like to raise even more. I am asking for your support. Any donation you can make to help me meet my goal would be greatly appreciated. For your convenience, I have supplied a link to my marathon website where you can directly make a tax deductible donation. http://aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=SF-5242

This program is certainly the most arduous physical challenge I have ever faced (even after running cross country at Sentinel High School!) As you can imagine, I’ve spent many evenings nursing my sore knees, but it is more than worth it to be a part of such an amazing cause.

Thank you for supporting me in this large undertaking. When I hit the road November 25th to complete the Marathon, Ill know that you helped me and many others along the way.

Sincerely,
Chelsea Volkerts

P.S. Many corporations have matching gift programs. Please check with your Human Resources Department to see if your company has one. It’s an easy way to double your contribution for the cause!