I am thrilled to join the other Train for Humanity athletes to support and raise awareness for the Schools Program of the Darfur Peace and Development Organization.  Like many of you, I read the headlines about Darfur and am restless to help in some way.   Recently, I watched a documentary called God Grew Tired of Us.  If you haven’t watched it, you should!  This movie, about three of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” moving to the US, makes you helplessly alternate between tears and laughter.  It’s an amazing testament of strength, courage, and determination.    As I watched and listened to the Lost Boys’ accounts about Darfur, I kept repeating to myself that nobody should have to endure so much and that somehow, we need to stop this violence. 

As for me, I live in Houston, Texas and coordinate a study on Marfan syndrome for Baylor College of Medicine.  Although I love to exercise, I had long forgotten what competition was and never dreamt of doing a triathlon.  Recently, my great friend and fellow TFH athlete, Bernie Tretta, put down the cupcakes and convinced me to do a sprint triathlon with her in March.  We both will be participating in the Silverlake Triathlon in May and will select another one for June.  My goal is to raise $1,000 from now until my third tri.

The money raised will benefit the 15 “Schools of Peace” which are educating over 8,000 children in North Darfur.  I strongly believe in supporting education to provide children with a sense of peace and opportunity despite having to live in a very volatile region.  Please join the Train for Humanity athletes in showing these children that we do care and have not forgotten about them.