Today I thought I would share a few facts about Team in Training.
WHAT is Team in Training? Since its inception in 1988, when a team of 38 runners trained together for the New York City Marathon and raised $320,000, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program (TNT), has prepared more than 340,000 people - approximately 39,000 participants annually - to achieve their dream of completing a marathon, half marathon, triathalon or 100-mile (century) bicycle ride. And, in that time, TNT participants have raised over $800 million to support blood cancer research and patient services. The enormous success of this program has helped make possible advances in blood cancer therapies and treatments that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.
WHO participates? Team in Training has had a tremendous impact on the growth of endurance sports, and in particular, the explosion of women's participation. Overall, 73 percent of TNT participants are women, with an average age of 32. (Note: this means I'm above average! :-))
Participants come from all walks of life - from novice to seasoned athlete. The reason cited most often for joining the program is the social aspect - the opportunity to meet new people and have fun as part of a supportive team. The cause - raising money to help find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and their families - is also a key motivator. Many participants dedicate their time and energy in honor of a friend or loved one who has had blood cancer. (Here we are with a few members of our local team.)Still others are themselves cancer survivors who want to show that they have the physical and mental stamina to finish a 26.2-mile marathon, 13.2-mile half marathon, 100-mile century ride or a triathlon.
That is the case with one of our own team members! Tricia was diagnosed in 2001 with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She received CHOP chemotherapy plus Rituxin and radiation. July 31st she will celebrate 7 years of being cancer free!!! For her, joining Team in Training is a way to join the race to find a cure and to help others become cancer free. She will be running the Nike Women's Marathon in October. Go Tricia!!!Taking on a personal challenge, accomplishing a goal and getting fit are also aspects that attract people to the program.
Local blood cancer patients, known as honored teammates, cheer participants along from training to completion. TNT participants often say their greatest inspiration and motivation come from their honored teammates, who themselves face even greater challenges in their battles against cancer. (Here I am with our local hero Jared, who is currently in remission after being diagnosed with AML Leukemia last August). WHY participate? To help fund research to find new treatments and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myleoma, and provide critical education and support to patients and families battling these cancers.
HOW are you helped? In exchange for raising funds, participants receive:
four to five months of personalized fitness training by certified coaches (Here is our coach, Bruce, with our 'hero' Jared), a supportive group of teammates and lodging and airfare to the event of their choice. Participants also receive tools and support to attain their fundraising goals, including a personalized web page. (Mine is here. Steve's is here.) Participants can choose from more than 60 accredited events in the United States and abroad.To Register: There are Team in Training teams all over the country. If this sounds like something that you might be interested in doing you can call 1-800-482-8326 or visit the TNT website here. And you definitely look into running the San Antonio Marathon with Steve and I! With over 70 rock and roll bands along the course, it's going to be great fun. And supporting a great cause!!!
Next week we'll look at the Good News (and some of the bad news) concerning some of the statistics about Leukemia and other blood-related cancers. There have been great advances made in the treatment of these diseases, but there is still a long way to go.
That's why we run. Join us!
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