Fundraiser for Former NCAA DIII CHamp Johanna Olson as She Battles a Brain Tumor
FRIENDS, FAMILY, OREGON STATE AND AUBURN ALUMS, COACHES, OFFICIALS AND FANS OF RUNNING!I am forwarding this email and link above to ask a favor - One of our former volunteer coaches here at OSU - JOHANNA OLSON - is fighting her second round with a brain tumor.
The first one occurred while she was in college, running NCAA D3 level for Luther College in Iowa.
She not only won that battle but went onto to WIN the INDIVIDUAL title - Yes, win an NCAA INDIVIDUAL title - Her senior year in cross country at the 2000 NCAA D3 championships. Can you imagine??
A few years later she moved out here to Corvallis, Oregon to begin graduate work and also among a number of activities, help with our emerging women's cross country and track program.
All the while, in 2004 and 2008 qualify for the USA Olympic Trials in the marathon (2:43 personal best!!). This is just the short bio of an amazing young women's journey to this point as you can imagine.
She finished her graduate work here at OSU and moved on - unfortunately a new tumor has arrived and she and her family are facing this all over again.
This is where we all come in. She is currently in between jobs and health insurance - so she has some increasingly high bills right now. So many folks are working to help support her and her family with this new challenge!
IF YOU WISH - Here is what we need help:
1) - GO ONLINE AND DONATE TO www.savejohannasbrain.com
(check out this site no matter what, gives you a flare of her love of life no matter what)
2) - ROAD RACE - If you live in the area and want to participate - We(OSU XC/Track) along with STRANDS (THANKS!!) a local Corvallis business and supporter of running and the community of Corvallis - are sponsoring a road race with all the proceeds going to Johanna - enter the race IN THE ABOVE LINK!!
3) - Lastly - PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO OTHERS FOR US!!!
And of course the big one - Send your prayers and best wishes to Johanna and her battle - she is not one to give in and neither are her family and friends!!
Thanks so much!
Kelly Sullivan, Staff and OSU Team
Women's Cross Country and Track Coach
Oregon State University
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