Racing to Save Lives one Step at a Time

Dear Friends and Family,

Welcome to my Team In Training website!

We all know someone whose life has been affected by a blood cancer. In fact most of us have been either directly or indirectly affected by this disease. We are all also familiar with that feeling inside wishing and wondering what we could do to help and make a difference. I am here to tell you that you CAN and here is your opportunity! In June as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training I will be running the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon. I am hoping that all of my friends and family will support me in reaching my goal because I know the only way I can cross that finish line after 26.2 miles is knowing that I have the loving support of all the amazing people in my life and who understand why this is so important to me .

Here are the stories that have inspired me to put my sneakers on and hit the pavement.

My family was first affected by lymphoma in 1988 when Memommy (my maternal grandmother) was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Back then the treatments were grueling and the knowledge of the disease was limited. She went through chemotherapy and with a determination and strength that you don't see in many Memommy beat lymphoma and celebrated her 87th birthday this year. She has more energy and spunk than people half her age and is a true inspiration to me and everyone who knows her.

Many years later in 1996 my dad was diagnosed with the same type of lymphoma. We watched him fight for years undergoing radiation, chemotherapy and eventually a bone marrow transplant. The cancer went into remission and when it returned he kept on fighting the fight. When an infection got into his blood stream the day after Thanksgiving he was hospitalized and passed away on December 26th 2002 . He was able to battle the disease for as long as he did because of the incredible doctors and research team that he was so fortunate to have on his side.

As many of you know my oldest sister Jennifer has recently been diagnosed with stage three triple negative breast cancer. She is a mom of three Annalise (8), Amelia (7) and Luke (1) who, as you all must know by now, are the absolute loves of my life. Jen is currently undergoing chemotherapy and will have a double mastectomy followed by radiation this spring. She is truly one of the most incredible women you will every meet. Jen has covered wars in the Middle East, met with terrorists in Gaza and accomplishes more in one morning than many of us are lucky to accomplish in a week. All while taking care of the three most amazing children in the world. This cancer doesn't stand a chance up against the toughest woman this side of the Gaza strip. She is also my sister and has been my best friend and confidant for as long as I can remember. I will do anything to help her beat this. While I know that hers is not a blood cancer. I have to believe in my heart that the more research done for all cancers will benefit everyone and help lead us to a CURE. I will be thinking of her every step that I take through this adventure. And when I just don't think that I can take one more step I will think of the strength and courage that she wakes up with every day since being diagnosed.

While these are the stories that have affected me and my family and have inspired me to run this marathon. I am running on behalf of all patients (and their families) around the world who are battling cancer.

It is because of organizations like LLS that help make the research possible so that the most brilliant doctors in the world can continue learning and researching and one day lead us to a CURE.

Help me find a CURE today by supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their mission "to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The goal of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is to significantly accelerate cures for blood cancers." In return, in June I will be crossing that finish line because of YOU.

I can't thank you enough for your love and support.

With love,

Caitlin