Dear Friends of Sara's Wish (as well as friends of mine),

If there was ever any question as to whether or not I would run theBoston Marathon again, it was answered at the end of the race lastyear. Upon returning home after my 26.2 mile run, having had both my family as well as Anne and Charlie cheering me on along the course,we all looked up to see the most amazing sight. With absolutely noreason for being there, a giant rainbow stretched across the clearblue, cloudless sky! I knew then that it was Sara's way of showingher support. And so, here I am..ready to run from Hopkinton toBoston on April 20.

(watch the video of the race and of the RAINBOW: [ http://saraswish.ning.com/

This will be the fifth year that I run The Boston Marathon to remember and honor Sara and the foundation that was set up in her memory. Forthose of you who are not familiar with Sara's Wish Foundation, it was established to perpetuate the memory of my lifelong friend Charlie'syounger sister Sara. In 1996, Sara was killed in a bus crash inIndia along with three classmates while on the Semester at Seaprogram. Sara's Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicatedto supporting Safe And Rewarding Adventures for students, emerged outof this tragedy. http://www.saraswish.org/index.htm

Thanks to everyone's generosity over the past few years, I have been able to raise over $8,000 for Sara's Wish. Because of this and other greatefforts, the foundation awarded scholarships to 14 extraordinary young women! From researching AIDS in Malawi, West Africa and SouthAfrica to conducting clinical research in child health and nutritionin Brazil and even working in a Haitian orphanage to develop alibrary and computer center, these girls all share the dedication tomaking a difference. Of course, it's thanks to the Sara's WishFoundation that they are able to do this.

I'm hoping that if at all possible, you will sponsor me on my 26.2 mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston by making a donation to Sara's Wish Foundation. If you are able to do this, I ask you to send a checkmade out to Sara's Wish Foundation to:

AndyShumway
27 Spruce Street
Dedham,MA 02026
(write"Sara's Wish - Marathon" in the memo portion of the check)
Thankyou so much for supporting me, and for supporting Sara's Wish.

Allthe best,

AndyShumway