I'm INSANE! I'm running a marathon in Alaska!
I've gone off the deep end again. I'm going to run 26.2 miles in my first marathon. And I'm traveling to one of the farthest places in the U.S. to do it...Alaska...home of igloos and northern lights and really cold stuff. Have I lost my mind? Well, that's like asking me if I'm Irish...

I've put together a website called project262.com that helps me focus on training, let others know about my progress, and will help me raise $4,000 for the Arthritis Foundation! I'm part of the Joints in Motion Team. Personally, this is my chance to finish a world-class marathon and keep in great shape, this is my opportunity to see Alaska, and it's all in honor of my sister, Ellen, who has been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 21 years.

I'll be tracking the entire 20 weeks of training on my website, all the way to marathon day. The marathon is on August 21st, but with your support, I hope to reach my goal by May 23rd.

Will you help by sponsoring me?
I hope you can donate today. $4,000 is a lot of money to raise. I must raise half that amount by May 23rd, so the foundation can make all travel arrangements on time. The Arthritis Foundation devotes more than $11 million annually to research and is leading the way to more successful treatments. In fact, a third of all funds raised will directly support research efforts.

Your Contribution	Degree of Generosity
$26.20	Think of it as $1.00 per mile, and a goodly sum for which both the foundation and I would be rather thankful.
$50.00	Way generous! For those who want to give more but think I need to polish my fundraising approach.
$52.40	This would be $2.00 per mile, and quite generous, if only two-thirds as generous as the next option...
$78.60	This would be $3.00 per mile...an odd sum, yet still very, VERY generous!
$100.00	You can sponsor one specific mile of the marathon! Just write down which of the 26 miles you would like to sponsor in the memo section of your check.
$200.00	A stunningly generous sum! Wow! Do you know 20 other friends? That would make my fundraising job so incredibly easy!
$4,000.00	Well, then...what was the point of putting the whole website together?  I should've just called you first...
Any amount	Would be greatly appreciated.

Donate Online: Any amount is greatly appreciated, even if it's $1.00. Secure online payments are gladly accepted and are A-OK by me! To donate online, visit www.project262.com

Mail a Check: Please make checks payable to The Arthritis Foundation, but send them to me, so I can monitor my fundraising progress. All donations are tax-deductible. Please indicate if you would like a receipt, and I will mail you one after I receive your donation!

Patrick O'Brien c/o The Arthritis Foundation 4420 Jamieson Ave, Apt. 2B Saint Louis, MO 63109

Thank you for supporting me in my quest to finish my first marathon for the Arthritis Foundation. For more information about arthritis, visit www.arthritis.org. Your name will be listed on my website as a sponsor once I receive your donation, so please check project262.com in a few days!