Debbie Fetterman / Dallas Morning News

Most runners find they are more committed to training when they have a goal.

Several area runners with personal causes have dedicated the past four months or more to training for Sunday's White Rock Marathon. The training has still been challenging, but staying motivated hasn't been.

What follows are stories about runners who rallied together to raise awareness about their causes.

The Bingemans found a way to raise awareness about organ donation and transplantation and channel the frustration and feelings of helplessness.

The McCasland family raised money for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children to thank and show support for the pediatric facility. And Eveyln Young said walking and talking about surviving three strokes has given her a sense of purpose.

"If you can get out there and personalize the message in your own community, it reaches people at their core," said Pam Silvestri, community education director for the Southwest Transplant Alliance.

Organ donation

Ruthann Bingeman, daughter Jeannette Ellefson and sons Keith and Jared have watched husband and father Grant Bingeman's health deteriorate the last few years. Grant suffers from PSC, a recurring liver disease. He had a liver transplant Jan. 2, 1996. His health improved for several years but slipped again in September 2002. Grant eventually needed another transplant, but rules prioritizing potential transplant recipients had changed since 1996.

The prioritizing system is called the MELD, and the higher the score, the more likely a patient is to receive a transplant. Though Bingeman's physical condition worsened, his MELD scores didn't rise. His condition became grave, and the family felt powerless. Doctors filed for exceptions, but to no avail.

Ellefson and her mother decided to raise awareness about organ donation by organizing a group to run The Rock.

"It's as simple as making sure your family knows what you want. ... The time to do it is now," Ruthann said.

The mother-daughter duo organized informal Saturday training runs. The group, Grant's Gazelles, has grown to 16.

And there's a happy update to the Bingemans' story. Grant's doctor filed another exception request last month. This one was accepted, and Grant received a new liver Dec. 2.

"We're euphoric, but we know anything can happen," Ruthann said.