A Brother's Race
	Who ran for the cure: Jeff Stankiewicz When he ran: November 3, 2007 – Florida Ironman Triathalon competition Who he ran for: His sister, Melissa Yniguez, and the millions who suffer from lupus.

Message from Jeff Stankiewicz, November 2007:

Hi everyone,

I wanted to take some time to catch you up to speed on our efforts to raise money for the Lupus Research Institute in conjunction with my effort to complete the Florida Ironman. For those of you that don't know I successfully completed the event! I hit my mark on the swim and bike course but took a little longer than I had anticipated on the run course. Let's just say that you really find out who you are when faced with something of this magnitude.

Nothing could have prepared me for the effort required to get across that finish line. My final time was just a little bit under 15 hours. As my little sister put it, I was on the course for as long as it took her and her husband, Jay, to drive from Florida back to their home in Ohio. Ludicrous!

Overall, it was an incredible experience that my family and I will have for years to come. Now that I am back home it is amazing how much time I have to pursue other things in my life. I take many things from this experience. I learned that if you reach for the stars that you just might find yourself among them.  The single most rewarding thing that you can do in life is help those around you. Positive thinking is the key to success. Oh, and it feels pretty good to be able to call yourself an Ironman!

I wanted to personally thank everyone that made a contribution to the fundraising. I've watched my sister over the years suffer and struggle with lupus. It is a nasty, horrible disease that brings a lot of questions and no real answers. Contributions will help in our search to get to the bottom of it and hopefully one day find relief for the millions that suffer. Many generous people donated to our cause.

In closing I want to send a personal message to my little sister. Melissa, I love you more than words can say. If I could reach in and take it all away I would. I hope you realize that you are not alone in your struggle. Keep your head up, stay strong and one day you too will cross the Lupus finish line.

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do."
– Helen Keller

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A Family's Race
	Who ran: Rebecca Russell (and in 2006, friend Erin Cronin, pictured left) When she ran: April 16, 2007 – The Boston Marathon April 17, 2006 – The Boston Marathon Who she ran for: Her sister, Jessie Russell, a sophomore at Harvard University diagnosed with lupus in March 2005, and for others who are courageously fighting lupus.

Jessie Russell, now a student at Harvard University, was diagnosed with systemic lupus and lupus nephritis (kidney disease caused by lupus) in March of 2005.

Jessie Russell at her high school graduation

“It is so nice to know that in a world filled with many adversities, there are many ways in which we can help. We thank you for your time, and in a world saturated with diseases and worthy causes, we sincerely thank you for your consideration of donating to the Lupus Research Institute.”
– Rebecca Russell, who ran for her sister, Jessie

“There are no such things as incurables; there are only things for which man has not found a cure.”
– Bernard M. Bauch

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