Welcome to Amanda's

Team In Training home page!

I DID IT!!!

On October 18, 2009, I successfully completed the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. I ran this race in honor of my mom's 5-year bone marrow transplant anniversary.

I want to extend my most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated to this effort. You are a diverse and generous group of family, friends, acquaintances, and people I've never even met! Your support means the world to me, and thanks to you, I've beaten my fundraising requirement by 18%.

Cheers,

Amanda

P.S. I've been posting some of the details of my training runs here. Check it out if you enjoy reading stories of heat, suffering, and glory!

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Who is Amanda?

If you're asking this question, then I thank you for visiting my page without knowing me! I'm a 26-year-old doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Things I love besides running include my cat Havilland, musical theatre, and taking naps.

Why is Amanda doing this?

In December 2002, my mom, Anne Brody, was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and on October 22, 2004, she received a stem cell transplant at the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center. This marathon will take place just days before the 5-year anniversity of my mom's transplant! I am privileged to celebrate her courage and vibrance, as well as the treatment advances that cured her cancer, by participating in this event.

I will also be running to honor the memories of loved ones whose lives were ended by cancer. I run in memory of my stepdad's mom, Catherine Oliver, who died of leukemia two years ago. I run in memory of Ken Miller, a family friend from way back who succumbed to leukemia earlier this year. And I run in memory of Melissa Calhoun Pankowski, who lost her cancer battle in 2006, and without whose mentorship and inspiration I would certainly not be where I am today.

Finally, I'm doing this for the FUN OF THE RUN! I'm looking forward to the training experience, and I can't wait to return to my Bay Area roots and traverse the streets of beautiful San Francisco while accomplishing something big. Let's do it!

What are the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team In Training?

From their website: "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. They have invested more than $600 million in research since 1949 - over $71 million in 2008 - specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, LLS made 6.3 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals."

From Amanda: Team In Training is the LLS's largest fundraising program. The program works by providing athletic training to people like me, who in turn fundraise for LLS.

It's important to me that the funds I raise will lead to tangible improvements in cancer treatment, not just vaguely "contribute to a good cause." The research made possible by LLS's fundraising (including Team In Training) has led directly to dramatic improvements in the treatment of blood cancers. For example, LLS sponsored the development of a drug called Gleevec, a remarkably effective treatment for some forms of leukemia that does not involve transplant or radiation.

Where will the money I donate actually go?

Of the $3900 I'll need to raise for my race, about 25% will cover my direct race costs (training, race registration, etc.). The remaining 75% (plus 100% of any contributions over $3900) will go directly to LLS activities. Check out the pie chart here to see how LLS allocates the funds it raises. As you can see, about three-quarters of the funds go directly to research and various patient services.

Where can I get more information?

For more information about leukemia and other blood cancers, check out some of the links at LLS's excellent disease information page.

For more information about the Team In Training program, check out their website.

For details of Amanda's training, check out her blog.

Thanks for visiting, and please check back often!