Hi, my name is Kelli Balmes and I’m a 43 year old mother, married, living with Multiple Myeloma. I am battling some very painful neuropathy right now in my feet, ankles, hands and hips.

I happened upon the Team in Training info on the LLS website.

Meeting new people, and doing something for a cause is extremely dear to my own heart. I have met some of the most wonderful people ever.

I have been being treated at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas & at Hulston Cancer Center here in Springfield, Missouri. It’s believed that the treatment is causing a lot of this pain I’m experiencing. However, we have made it this far. I’m proud to tell you that because I don’t know if I’ve ever had to fight so hard for anything in my life.

I know in my heart that I’m not dying of cancer, I’m LIVING with cancer. It is hard some days, but with faith and love, it will be okay. God chose me to fight this battle. I know it’s a lesson or a message for me a loved one close to me.

By doing these marathons and raising money, they are learning more and more all the time and are able to extend people’s lives and make their quality of life better. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless each and every one of you.