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My Birthday Gift

This summer, when I am turning 30, I decided I am going to do something totally new and celebrate my birthday by giving a gift (to myself) that shares the hope for a better future.

Yes, my life has changed a lot in the last year:

Last year: Turning 29
This year: Turning 30 (I can't really do anything to change this one, it is already granted!)

Last year: Buffalo, NY
This year: San Francisco, CA

Last year: Over eating chocolate, ice-cream for temporary relief
This year: Watching my diet and overall health

Last year: Struggling with lack of motivation to complete my PhD
This year: Following a concrete plan with DetermiNation for finishing up my PhD

Last year: Wasting my time and energy over an inevitable breakup
This year: Raising money for a good cause

Last year: Drinking with or without friends
This year: Running a half marathon while crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge

That is right: This year, I'm going to run San Francisco Half Marathon on July 25th and will raise money for American Cancer Society.

For those of you who knew me back in high school, you would remember me as a tennis player, as someone who never ran a mile without stopping until I was 25. For those of you who know me from graduate school, you may remember me as the gym person who was trying her best to stay fit on treadmills while driving to the gym even though it was at walking distance from my office (I can put the blame on the freezing winters of Buffalo for my car’s high mileage!).

With my new life in San Francisco, this is the right time to keep my promise to my Aunt Semra Birlesen, who suffered from Breast Cancer and passed away at the age of 46, when I and my cousin were just kids. I promised her that I would do something useful for people suffering from cancer. Now, as a novice runner in San Francisco Half Marathon with the American Cancer Society DetermiNation Team, I am dedicating my training and race participation to help the Cancer Research save lives. This is my way of fighting back against a disease that has taken too much. When I cross that finish line, I am hoping to make a small difference for people who have been touched by cancer.

I am aware that the miles and months of training will be tough with my current busy schedule, but being a part of the DetermiNation and participating the structured training program will give me the support and strength I need to endure. I am hoping the joy and my pure DetermiNation will help me cross the finish line. As I do not usually run more than 10 miles at one time, my only goal is to cross the finish line within a 3 hour course limit and hitting my fundraising goal of $1500.

The money raised through DetermiNation Team helps benefit the American Cancer Society to eliminate cancer as a major health concern. The donations and funds have already been used as a central support “to fight against cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service”. Hopefully, with your support and donations, together we can help save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. If you can donate even a little bit, I would truly appreciate it. Please, consider any company matching contributions as well.

Please feel free to follow my progress from this webpage.

Thanks again in advance for your support and keep in mind that: “By doing a little each day, you can get a lot accomplished.”

Seda Dogruel

P.S. If you would like to donate via cash or check, please email me at sedadogruel@gmail.com and I will forward you my information. Please continue to visit my fundraising page for updates.