Earlier this week an MRI turned up a stress fracture that needs roughly 2-4 months of rest to fully heal. Any form of running during that period is strictly against the doctor’s orders. As a result, I have deferred my entry in the Washington, D.C. Marine Corps Marathon until 2012. With a little luck I should be back on the road by next season.

This injury was disappointing, but the important point is that we have exceeded our $2,750 fundraising goal for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, bringing the three-year total to more than $10,000. Your pledges over the years have gone straight to promising research and patient services that have made a difference in many lives.

Rest assured, we will be back next year to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and finish the Marine Corps Marathon. Until then, I have started a regimen of swimming and weight training to stay in shape during the recovery process. Please check back for periodic updates about the 2012 race and any significant medical developments.

Your pledges have provided hope to countless people during some of their darkest moments. Thank you so much for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you again in the spring.

Sincerely,

Eric Baum