That's JC. This picture was taken on Tuesday March 5th after he had a long day of chemotherapy. This was also the same day as our regular swim practices, and if I'm being honest, after a day of long meetings, running around and the general day to day craziness, it was the first practice I was thinking of skipping.

So here was the status of JC's mom Angie (also a member of training team) from that same day:

"JC had chemo today. 2 arm pokes and a finger stick. He was a little sad. He doesnt feel like coming to swim with us tonight. Maybe Thurs. I am beat...but I will be there."

And wow, there it was. Angie spent all day with her son who had gone through chemo that day. I'm sure they were both physically and mentally tired, and guess what...she was there Tuesday night. If she could go I had no excuse.

Every team training and individual training day (6 days a week) I think about JC, his mom, Angie, and their whole family. While it's true I think about them to keep me motivated to hit the finish line there's something bigger I have in mind. How incredibly fortunate I am. I have two daughters and a beautiful wife and all I can think is how lucky we are that we have not had to deal with this illness. I've seen sickness before and I've even had extended family experiences with a life threatening illness for a child and it's not easy for anyone.

This is why I'm raising money for LLS. They directly help the patients and their family. Yes they do research work and advocacy, but the most important thing they do is help families in need. So while it may not be possible for you to donate today or even by the time I'm done with this journey I hope when a time comes that perhaps you have a little more in the bank you will consider giving to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.

When I've told people about this triathalon many have said that I am inspiring. Of course that's nice to hear, but really to me JC is the one who is inspiring. Despite this horrible illness he goes on day after day just trying to be a normal kid.

The good news: He was at swim practice on Thursday!

Let’s face it: cancer sucks and I need the exercise. That’s why on May 25th in Austin, Texas I will be swimming 1 mile, biking 25 miles, and running 6 miles. I am about to begin training for the Capitol of Texas Triathlon as member of the Kansas Chapter’s Team in Training Program on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Let me explain why I’ve chosen to make this commitment and how you can help.

Team in Training (TNT) exists to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. It is also one of the few organizations that still gives directly back to the patients and their families. Let me give you a few quick facts about the organization:

• TNT is The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) largest fund-raising program, bringing in nearly 98 million dollars this past year alone.
• Their funding goes into three specific areas: Research, Patient Services and Advocacy
• Since it’s first funding in 1954, LLS has invested more than $814 million in leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and myelodydysplastic syndromes.
• Its patient services are quite remarkable. A simple signature from a doctor enables LLS to give every family dealing with blood cancer a $100.00 check, no questions asked. They also have ways to assist with co-pays, medicines, and numerous other medical and personal needs.

At this point you might be saying, “that sounds great but I’ve never been affected by blood cancer”. Then consider yourself lucky when so many aren’t:

• It’s estimated that blood cancers strike 139,860 American each year and kill 53,240. These totals account for 9.5% of the death from cancer
• Every week, there are approximately 2,690 new cases of leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma diagnosed in this country

But here’s the good news:

• Because of donations through groups like TNT and LLS, survival rates for Leukemia have gone from 55% in 1987 to 95% in 2011 with the use of a targeted drug Gleevec. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma survival was 52% in 1987 and because of certain drugs like Rituxan survival rates have increased to 69%.
• Also many of the drugs that were designed to help treat blood cancers are now being used for the treatment in other cancers helping survival rates and quality of life improve.

Hopefully like you, blood cancer has not directly affected me. However, I’d like you to know who I am racing for. His name is JC Delamore and he is almost 9 years old. In December of 2006 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. He went through 2 ½ years of treatment. Five months after his treatment ended he relapsed (December of 2009) and will be finishing his last treatment in July.

His mother and I will be training on the same team together and I had the privilege of meeting them both last night. I can tell you that meeting has impacted me greatly and he is truly one of the bravest 9-year-old kids I know. You can keep up with him by visiting:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jcdelamore

So here’s where I come to you for help. Each participant in the program pledges to raise a certain amount of money during the time they train for the event. My goal is to reach $2000.00 and I am hoping to do it by March 1st. If you are anything like me, that big number can be overwhelming. The good news is it doesn’t all have to come from you. I know times are tough for many and budgets are tight, but I truly mean it when I say every dollar you give helps me reach that goal. If you can skip Starbucks one day and instead donate $5.00 to TNT and me. I would be extremely grateful. And unlike Starbucks, we will give you a tax deduction!

Alright, my first week of training is done and I'm a little sore. I'm not going to lie this isn't going to be easy, but every time I feel like I can't do it I remember training for this is a lot easier then having cancer.

And it's even easier for you, becuase you don't have to do any of the training or have cancer. You can just click the box on the right and make a small donation.

For those who have given already I can't thank you enough. We're going to get there.

Giving away your money to an orginaztion you might not be familiar with can be tough. I get it. Let me show you the impact you make dollar for dollar:

$25 provides patients and their loved ones with booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and helps them make informed decisions about their treatment options. While this may seem like a pretty small thing a loved one is sick you want as much information as you can get.

$50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experinces can be shared among patients and family members

$100 provides one-on-one conversations with LLS information specialists who help people with cancer navigate through treatment, financial and social challenges and give accuarate, up-to-date disease and treatement information

$300 will train 25 peer volunteers who can provide emotional and practical support to newly diagnosed patients through the First Connection Program

$500 will provide patient aid to five people with Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease or myeloma for a year

$1,000 helps provide laboratory researchers with supplies critical to carrying on their search for cures

So there you go. Every dollar counts and now you can see how. So click the link on the left and help be part of the cure!