Kristen Burke

I am running in memory of a friend from college. There are actually 6 of us training to run the Nike Women's Marathon in memory of Kelly.

On Mother's Day 2007, Kelly lost her eight year battle against Hodgkin lymphoma at age 36. Kelly graduated from Virginia Tech in 1993 and then went on to receive her Masters of Education at the College of William and Mary in 1994. Kelly taught second grade for one year and first grade for eight years in the Fairfax County (VA) Public School system. The years she taught were years doing what she loved best - working with children. Kelly was a beautiful, loving and inspiring person who always had a smile on her face and a passion to help others. A week each summer she worked as a counselor at Camp Fantastic, a camp for children with cancer. In addition, she tirelessly raised funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by participating in several marathons and the annual Light the Night Walk.

Kelly was known for her smile and determination to beat her disease. She never complained nor gave up. When the doctors told her she had 2 – 3 months left to live, she responded "I'll see you in 4". We learned so much from Kelly but most importantly she taught us: Strength, Courage, Love, Determination, Patience, Peace and to BELIEVE. Kelly was an amazing person who touched so many lives.

Now it's the privilege of a group of Kelly's Virginia Tech friends to lessen the ache of our heavy hearts by challenging ourselves and raising money to honor her memory and support those currently battling a blood cancer. We are training to compete in the Nike Women's Marathon - a race Kelly had wanted to do. We have teamed up with Team in Training to raise awareness and funds for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma.

The following is a poem that Kelly wrote about the "Pros" of having cancer:

Pros

I've learned that I don't have to live alone in my own hell.
I've learned to accept help- and to ask for it as well.
I've learned that my loved ones feel just as helpless as I do.
I've learned from the wisdom of those sharing my experience that what I feel is nothing new.
I've learned that I have a lot to give.
I've learned that I have a lot of life left to live.
I've learned to prioritize the people and places I want to see.
I've learned to be less critical, especially of me.
I've learned I've an amazing amount of people in my life who truly care.
I've learned too, the ones who will really be there.
I've learned the genuine importance of my friends and family.
I've learned that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be.
I've learned that it's okay, not a fault to need someone.
I've learned that life is about people when all's said and done.
I've learned that with their support, the battle's not all uphill.
I've learned that this disease doesn't have to kill.
I've learned, in fact, that cancer Can be overcome.
I know it, because this time, I have won.

-Kelly Linderman


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