Hi everyone,
Recently I've decided to do something I never in a million years thought I'd do.... train for a ½ marathon. As many of you probably know, I am not a runner, and have never liked the sport, but I also love a good challenge. But I'm not doing this on my own; I've joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT). Maybe you've heard of it... but if not, here's the deal. The Leukemia & Lymphoma society provides everything you need to train for an endurance event (marathon, bike ride, triathlon...) like coaching, group training, transportation and lodging at the event of your choice, payment of the race entry fee, and gear for the race. In return, the athlete raises funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society to invest in research to find cures for blood cancers - leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. The society also offers support programs and helps to improve the lives of patients and their families. Did you know that leukemia is the #1 killer of children under 15? And that lymphoma is the #1 killer of men and women under 33? Shocking to think that so many people are dying so young… which is why we need to raise money to find a cure! 75% of the money raised by TNT goes toward research, patient and community service, public health and professional education. The other 25% goes toward sponsoring athletes and administrative costs. Each team trains in honor of a local blood cancer survivor, and it’s that person’s courage that provides motivation and inspiration, since they face an even greater challenge than completing a marathon. The race I’ve chosen to compete in is the P.F. Chang’s Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon on Jan. 9, 2005 in Phoenix. To compete in this race, I need to raise $3700 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by this Christmas. I’m really excited for it though, it’ll be a great chance to see some friends and get out of the New England winter for a weekend.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a wonderful program, but for me, fundraising for them has a meaning that runs deeper than simple altruism. In 1998 my mom, Cathy, was diagnosed with lymphoma. Luckily it was caught early and through chemo and other medications, the disease went into remission. However, 2 years later she became ill again and the doctors were unsure of what the problem was, but whatever it was, she passed away on March 29, 2000 at the age of 47. We never found out anything for sure, since the autopsy was delayed and had to be cancelled, but I believe that the lymphoma had unknowingly spread to other organs. She is the biggest motivation for me to raise money for this foundation – if only there was more research, more knowledge, or a cure for lymphoma, my mom would still be with us today. Even though it’s too late for her, I would never want anyone else to have to go through a similar experience of losing a loved one to cancer. But unfortunately, that is just what happens to thousands of people every single day. It’s unbelievable how many people are diagnosed with cancer each year. It’s predicted that in 2004 alone, there will be people diagnosed with, 28,540 new cases of leukemia; 62,250 new cases of lymphoma; 15,270 new cases of myeloma. That’s 106,060 people this year! If you think about it, just about everyone you talk to will know someone whose life has been affected by cancer. These people who are fighting for their lives are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, co-workers… cancer may not be affecting your body, but cancer affects your life. I’m grateful for every day I have to spend doing as I please, living a happy and healthy life. And that’s why I’m choosing to spend my time training and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society… so that I can help others enjoy their lives like I enjoy mine.
So now I’m asking for your help in raising money to fund research to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. It doesn’t take an exorbitant amount of money, just $25, $50… whatever you can give. If you donate $2 for every mile I run, that’s $26. If you donate $10 for every person you know who has been diagnosed with cancer… well, for me that would be at least $70. Or, if you don’t have the money to spare right now, you can help by spreading the word… ask your friends and family to help me raise money. Get 5 of your friends to donate $5 each… every little bit counts. You can also check to see if your employer is part of a matching donation program – some companies will match the amount an employee donates to a charity. There’s a lot of ways to get involved and help, donation is just one of them. If you’d like to share a story of someone you know who has survived cancer, or of someone who has lost their life to the disease, so that I can honor their memory by completing this race in their name… please tell me about it! It’s a huge help to think of all the people I know who are affected by cancer… it’s probably the best motivation for me to get up and go on those early morning runs.
Since the race is in January, the deadline for my fundraising is Dec. 22… but the sooner the better! There is also a recommitment point coming up on Oct. 22 (I’m supposed to have $750 in my account by then). So if you’re willing to help me, please make your checks out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and you can email me and I'll give you my address. Or you can go online http://www.teamintraining.org/participant/trichtinger-235420 to make a donation, or just to check out how my training and fundraising is going. I really appreciate your help in this! Thank you!! :D
- Annie
ps- you can check out Team in Training online at teamintraining.org to learn more about the program (it’s open to everyone!) or to see if your employer is part of the matching donation program… just go to “donate now� on the right side of the screen to check.
Hi everyone,
Recently I've decided to do something I never in a million years thought I'd do.... train for a ½ marathon. As many of you probably know, I am not a runner, and have never liked the sport, but I also love a good challenge. But I'm not doing this on my own; I've joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT). Maybe you've heard of it... but if not, here's the deal. The Leukemia & Lymphoma society provides everything you need to train for an endurance event (marathon, bike ride, triathlon...) like coaching, group training, transportation and lodging at the event of your choice, payment of the race entry fee, and gear for the race. In return, the athlete raises funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society to invest in research to find cures for blood cancers - leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. The society also offers support programs and helps to improve the lives of patients and their families. Did you know that leukemia is the #1 killer of children under 15? And that lymphoma is the #1 killer of men and women under 33? Shocking to think that so many people are dying so young… which is why we need to raise money to find a cure! 75% of the money raised by TNT goes toward research, patient and community service, public health and professional education. The other 25% goes toward sponsoring athletes and administrative costs. Each team trains in honor of a local blood cancer survivor, and it’s that person’s courage that provides motivation and inspiration, since they face an even greater challenge than completing a marathon. The race I’ve chosen to compete in is the P.F. Chang’s Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon on Jan. 9, 2005 in Phoenix. To compete in this race, I need to raise $3700 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by this Christmas. I’m really excited for it though, it’ll be a great chance to see some friends and get out of the New England winter for a weekend.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a wonderful program, but for me, fundraising for them has a meaning that runs deeper than simple altruism. In 1998 my mom, Cathy, was diagnosed with lymphoma. Luckily it was caught early and through chemo and other medications, the disease went into remission. However, 2 years later she became ill again and the doctors were unsure of what the problem was, but whatever it was, she passed away on March 29, 2000 at the age of 47. We never found out anything for sure, since the autopsy was delayed and had to be cancelled, but I believe that the lymphoma had unknowingly spread to other organs. She is the biggest motivation for me to raise money for this foundation – if only there was more research, more knowledge, or a cure for lymphoma, my mom would still be with us today. Even though it’s too late for her, I would never want anyone else to have to go through a similar experience of losing a loved one to cancer. But unfortunately, that is just what happens to thousands of people every single day. It’s unbelievable how many people are diagnosed with cancer each year. It’s predicted that in 2004 alone, there will be people diagnosed with, 28,540 new cases of leukemia; 62,250 new cases of lymphoma; 15,270 new cases of myeloma. That’s 106,060 people this year! If you think about it, just about everyone you talk to will know someone whose life has been affected by cancer. These people who are fighting for their lives are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, co-workers… cancer may not be affecting your body, but cancer affects your life. I’m grateful for every day I have to spend doing as I please, living a happy and healthy life. And that’s why I’m choosing to spend my time training and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society… so that I can help others enjoy their lives like I enjoy mine.
So now I’m asking for your help in raising money to fund research to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. It doesn’t take an exorbitant amount of money, just $25, $50… whatever you can give. If you donate $2 for every mile I run, that’s $26. If you donate $10 for every person you know who has been diagnosed with cancer… well, for me that would be at least $70. Or, if you don’t have the money to spare right now, you can help by spreading the word… ask your friends and family to help me raise money. Get 5 of your friends to donate $5 each… every little bit counts. You can also check to see if your employer is part of a matching donation program – some companies will match the amount an employee donates to a charity. There’s a lot of ways to get involved and help, donation is just one of them. If you’d like to share a story of someone you know who has survived cancer, or of someone who has lost their life to the disease, so that I can honor their memory by completing this race in their name… please tell me about it! It’s a huge help to think of all the people I know who are affected by cancer… it’s probably the best motivation for me to get up and go on those early morning runs.
Since the race is in January, the deadline for my fundraising is Dec. 22… but the sooner the better! There is also a recommitment point coming up on Oct. 22 (I’m supposed to have $750 in my account by then). So if you’re willing to help me, please make your checks out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and you can email me and I'll give you my address. Or you can go online http://www.teamintraining.org/participant/trichtinger-235420 to make a donation, or just to check out how my training and fundraising is going. I really appreciate your help in this! Thank you!! :D
- Annie
ps- you can check out Team in Training online at teamintraining.org to learn more about the program (it’s open to everyone!) or to see if your employer is part of the matching donation program… just go to “donate now� on the right side of the screen to check.