WOW, what a day!

Today turned out to be such a great day at the Brenda Donato Rainbow 5K. I'll update more tomorrow but here is an article that was published in the Contra Costa Times Yesterday.

5k Fun Run in Walnut Creek remembers local woman, raises money for blood cancer research
By Theresa Harrington Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 04/11/2008 06:10:32 PM PDT


WALNUT CREEK — Even after her death, Brenda Donato is helping others.

About 300 of the Concord woman's friends, family members and supporters plan to participate in the Brenda Donato 5K Fun Run and Walk on Sunday to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which funds research seeking a cure for deadly blood cancers.

"Anybody that knew Brenda knew that she was really, really dedicated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society," said Lindsay Gage, one of Donato's friends who helped coordinate the run.

"She was very much focused on the mission of the society, which is to find a cure for cancer."

Donato died April 14, 2007 of complications related to a bone marrow transplant for leukemia, which she had battled for two years. She was 36.

A wife and mother of two boys, Donato completed a marathon and triathlon while her cancer was in remission. For the Wildflower Triathlon, she joined Team in Training, a group that runs to raise money for blood cancer research.

But the cancer returned and after receiving new bone marrow, she contracted chronic graft-versus-host disease, in which he donor's immune cells attacked her healthy tissue. Yet, she remained upbeat and blogged about her experiences.

"I always knew in my life that I was here for a reason," Donato wrote in her final blog. "My reason was always to help others."

The event Sunday will help carry on Donato's mission, Gage said.

"She touched a lot of people," Gage said. "We liked to call her the connector. Her story and spirit brought people together."

Dozens of people living with blood cancer in Contra Costa County meet once a month in a support group at John Muir Medical Center. Dr. Alan Brast, who facilitates the group, said life expectancy for those with the incurable disease can range from days to 15 or 20 years.

"With blood cancer, we always talk in terms of remission, not cure," Blast said. "These folks are always looking over their shoulders. You can be looking real good in all of your labs and then all of a sudden it's back. It's very stressful to be dealing with that every single day of your life."

Theresa Harrington covers Walnut Creek. Reach her at 925-943-5764 or tharrington@bayareanewsgroup.com.