Published: June 25, 2007 12:48 pm      

MWC woman runs marathon, helps fight cancer

A Midwest City resident is training for a marathon to raise money to help fight cancer.

Leesha Call will run a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The organization is training her and, in return, she and other participants raise funds for the society, Call said.

"I think most everyone's lives have been touched by cancer in some way,” Call said. “My grandfather died of leukemia three months before I was born and that forever changed our family tree. I’m a mother of a 5-year-old boy and I think it’s really important he tries to make a difference in this world and I’m trying to model that for him.”

The marathon will be held Sept. 16 in Maui. Call said she is currently running 10 miles one day a week with her team and three to four miles each day by herself. The marathon will be 26.2 miles.

“When you train and run a marathon it’s a symbol of endurance, but it’s nothing compared to someone battling cancer,” Call said. “I could not run two blocks in the beginning without running out of breath. This from the same girl that hid under the bleachers in grade school to avoid any physical activity. I am also giving up goober grape (combination peanut butter and jelly) in order to be in best physical shape.”

Call works as a medical social worker at OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital and seeing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s work in action and the organization’s generosity with patients and their families is another reason she wants to participate in this fundraiser, she said.

Call said she has been contacting family, friends and anyone else she thinks may donate to her cause. Backyard Burgers in Midwest City is contributing 15 percent of its proceeds each Sunday in June, she said. Also, 1492 New World Latin Cuisine will also be holding a fundraiser night for Call, she said.

“I’m looking for local businesses who are wanting to give back to the community by supporting this fundraiser,” Call said. “It looks great when they show their community support.”

Call said 100 percent of the donations are tax deductible and most of the money stays in Oklahoma. The money goes toward cancer research, patient and professional education, financial assistance and community advocacy, she said.

Call said she would like to at least raise $5,000.

Those who run in the marathon may choose to run in honor of someone affected by the subject diseases for which money is being raised. Call said she will be running for a 4-year-old Oklahoma City boy who is in remission, but still undergoes chemotherapy.

Call said she would also like to wear ribbons with names of those who have died from cancer or have undergone treatment, suggested by those who donate.

“It’s very motivating and powerful to hear personal stories of how cancer has touched their life,” Call said.

According to Call, leukemia is the number one killing disease of children and every 10 minutes someone loses their battle to leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

Call said those who want more information or would like to donate may call her at 973-4551 or go to www.active.com/donate/tntok/tntokLCall. Call also has a myspace page at www.myspace.com/4everLeesha.