From the desk

It’s not about me.

Bollinger and fiancé Kevin McAlpin

Usually, races are about runners – who is fastest, who can win. They revolve around selfish ideals and competitive natures, but not Run For Their Lives.

Waking up at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday to run 3.1 miles in freezing rain is not usually my idea of a great weekend, but this Saturday I did just that.

As I sit drinking my new obsession — Thai Tea — and feeling accomplished for my ability to run all 3.1 miles regardless of the fact that I have not run since that unsightly 13.1 mile marathon, I can’t help but think of the 300,00 women in one of Thailand’s 60,000 brothels.

Run for Their Lives is a race put on by Freedom 4/24 to help fund the efforts to save these women from prostitution.

According to the United Nations, human trafficking brings in about $32 billion annually.

For $24 a woman in one of Thailand’s sexual service centers can be set free for 24 hours.

For me, this is insane. A woman’s worth is $24 for 24 hours. When is the last time you worked for 24 hours straight and made $24? My guess is never. Minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25. That means $174 for 24 hours. That is seven times more than a woman in one of Thailand’s brothels — and that $24 doesn’t even all go to the woman.

Just $24. That is all it takes to save, or ruin, a life.

On Saturday morning, despite the rain and cold, 1,300 people got out of bed and ran for someone other than themselves. That is 1,300 women who now have the chance to find freedom.

“As we continue our fight against the injustice of this issue, we know that a life of freedom begins with a day. One day – 24 hours that can be the beginning of a life of freedom,” Freedom 4/24’s website reads.

For me, running 3.1 miles in the freezing rain is worth the chance of saving a life — because after all, it’s not about me.

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