I was recently at the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20, 2011 supporting my brother in-law Derek Fitzgerald with my family. Derek has been through a lot in the past 8 years. Starting back in 2003, Derek found out that he had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma which was extremely scary for Derek and our entire family. But as scary as that was Derek was brave, kept his head up and fought his way through the Cancer and the chemotherapy treatments. Then in 2004 Derek found out that the chemo treatments had weakened his heart and had to have a defibrillator put into his chest to help support is heart. That, and a regimen of medications, sustained him for about 6 years, but his heart continued to weaken until in July 2010 Derek's doctor told him that he was going to need a new heart. On January 3, 2011 Derek had his transplant which was a great success, and began his amazing recovery.

In the past 8 years Derek has had 3 new chances on life and is now able to take advantage of that and help other people who are going through what he did. By doing so Derek joined Team In Training (TNT) and started raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Derek ran his first half marathon at the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20, 2011 with TNT, just 10 short months after his surgery. Just being there to support him and knowing everything he has been through has inspired me to want to be a part of helping other people get a chance to live their life without cancer and has made me realize how lucky I am to be healthy. So that's why I have joined TNT and am going to be competing in the St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 29, 2012 with Derek and Angelo, my other brother-in-law. Please help me and TNT raise money for this worthy cause. Just click on the "Donate Now" button to the right to sponsor me in my efforts. Your support is greatly appreciated.

My son Daniel and his uncle Derek