For Kim Hiatt, the race isn't about just crossing the finish line - it's about her purpose in trying to reach it.

On May 3, Hiatt, administrative coordinator for Ball State's communication studies department, will walk 13.1 miles in the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program.

This is Hiatt's first attempt at a half-marathon. She is walking to honor her mother, Rita Winters, and Jonnae Taylor, 15, the daughter of a friend. Both women were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). While Hiatt's mother died after a short bout with the disease, Taylor continues to endure treatment after relapsing just one month into her remission.

"Jonnae went through intense chemo and radiation treatments and received a bone marrow transplant from her brother in December," Hiatt said. "Those next several days were pretty scary, and I already had the desire to do something on her behalf. Hearing the radio ads this year, it was a done deal. When I signed up for the Mini, with the amount of walking I regularly do, I joked that I could have walked the 13.1 miles the next morning."

Though she was already an avid walker, Hiatt chose to train through Team in Training, the world's largest endurance sports training and education program. Participants work to raise money for blood cancer research and patient services.

"I train three or more times per week, with one day being for distance and extended time," she said. "I've spent a lot of time on my elliptical machine, and when I walk outside, Max, my golden retriever, is my walking buddy."

According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a person is diagnosed with a blood related cancer every five minutes, and more than 832,000 Americans are living with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. While Hiatt has no doubt she will finish the race, she hopes her efforts will help raise money for blood cancer research.

"My time is the only unknown," Hiatt said. "I don't really consider the Mini an impossible task, but my goal is to raise $2,000. All contributions are greatly appreciated, as every dollar does make a difference."

If you would like to donate to Hiatt's cause, visit www.active.com/donate/tntin/tntinKHiatt. For more information, contact her at 765-285-1883.

By Jennifer Strempka