Charles DeLint once said, “The road leading to a goal does not separate you from the destination; it is essentially a part of it.” Kate Ryan Singer exemplies DeLint’s words.

A 2003 graduate of Villanova University with a degree in communication and a certificate in theatre, Singer plans on crossing the finish line of her goal on April 28.

Singer is a part of Team-in-Training, a branch of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which holds marathons in order to raise money that funds research for a cure.

Singer is running because of a special person whom she met during her time at Villanova. His name is Josh Hanlon. Having connected with him over a tragedy, Singer and Hanlon quickly became good friends.

“I was immediately inspired by Josh’s positive outlook, sense of humor and hope,” Singer writes in her Team-in-Training blog.

“We were able to confide in one another, sharing our grief and fears – but more so, our laughter and hope.”

One year later, Hanlon was diagnosed with leukemia, but he kept a positive outlook and never lost his sense of humor or his contagious laughter.

“I can remember many nights filled with conversations over instant messenger where Josh had me laughing so hard I almost fell out of my bed,” Singer recalls.

At times, Singer would nearly forget that the young man to whom she was talking was enduring grueling treatments for his leukemia while fighting constantly for his life.

“Josh was never a patient, never a victim,” Singer said. “He marched through his journey with a smile on his face and positive words on his lips and in his heart.”

However, even with every ounce of the strength, hope and faith that he put into his fight against the aggressive cancer, Hanlon lost his life on July 18, 2004. He was only 20 years old.

Singer continues to be inspired by Hanlon everyday. Now Singer is training vigorously five days a week in order to run in his memory.

Singer has a fundraising goal of $6,000 and she has already raised $2,655 in donations

To donate, please Singer’s Webpage at www.activate.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycKSinger.