Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to Amy's Team In Training home page.

As a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program, I have pledged to participate in The Nation’s Triathlon that will take place in Washington, D.C. on September 14, 2008. It is an Olympic-distance triathlon that requires a 1.5K swim (.9 mile), a 40K bike (24.8 miles), and a 10K run (6.2 miles).

Team in Training is a group of dedicated coaches, mentors and athletes who work together to raise money for The Society by participating in endurance events like triathlons, marathons, and century bike rides. The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

I am participating in this event in honor of my father, Fletcher Bedell, who was recently diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome and myelofibrosis, overlapping blood-related cancers. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a disease of the blood and bone marrow that results in the production of dysplastic or abnormal blood cells. Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare hematologic disorder/myeloproliferative disease in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue or scarring. He currently receives bi-weekly, and sometimes weekly, blood transfusions, yet continues to brave his way through each procedure with courage and, of course, humor (and he really doesn't like needles!). The Society is funding research for MDS and MF, including clinical trials to improve treatments and quality of life and to increase survival. The Society has already helped develop steady advances in treatments for blood cancers, including bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and new drugs like Gleevec.

I want to do my part and I hope you will help by sponsoring my participation in The Nation’s Triathlon. All of your donations are 100% tax deductible and corporate sponsorhip is available. I will continue to accept donations until the day of the race.

If you would prefer to make your donation by check made payable to "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society", please feel free to contact me by e-mail at aebedell@optonline.net for my mailing address.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Sincerely,

Amy Bedell