SCROLL DOWN FOR AN IMPORTANT UPDATE PLEASE

How do you say “thank you” for sunshine or health. . .for clear days or gentle rains . . .for happiness, joy or love? You say it by sharing what you have. You say it by making the world a better place in which to live. ~ Thomas D. Willhite

As we begin this 12th season running, walking and fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through our Team in Training marathon team, Van and I can’t agree more with the above quote. We have so much to be grateful for! Both of us have survived cancer death sentences for years now and we are dedicated to using the time you, through the brilliant scientists, have given us to fight to the end for the thousands of cancer victims who hold out their hands to us for realistic hope for their survival. When hope comes again like Gleevec and Van’s drug Yervoy, we will all say to ourselves that we had something to do with another miracle.

Research shows that I am not cured and never will be with my current drug Gleevec. I am living with a chronic disease that is under control, but the ultimate source of my CML is in the stem cells and they remain defiant to anything yet developed. If I were to stop taking Gleevec, I would certainly relapse, go into advanced disease and die. Sometimes it can be a bit unnerving when I stop to think about it. The good news is that current research into the leukemia stem cells that cause my CML shows that we are advancing closer to a cure.

When I asked what new treatments he was studying for melanoma in January, Van’s doctor in Florida (where we go for check ups every six months) said something to the effect of, “six years of clean scans . . .you won’t be needing anymore treatments,” shocking both of us that he would utter a statement like that. The next day, grinning most of the way, Van and I began and finished the Walt Disney World Half Marathon together, rejoicing in our good fortune. We are so thankful for being alive and strong enough to give back.

Pictured above is the little boy we dedicate our training and fundraising to,Tyler, who has had many challenges in the last few years, and he has taken them all head on. After chemo, radiation and over twenty surgeries, he had a stem cell transplant two years ago, and has had to deal with several complications ever since. One of the most serious problems was a severe lung infection. At one point he was in the hospital on oxygen, and the doctors told his parents that they didn’t expect him to make it through the week. They were devastated, but Tyler’s spirit never flagged. Miraculously, one week later Tyler was breathing on his own, and released from the hospital. And, thankfully, he has been cancer-free for over two years.

Tyler’s fight did not simply end with his cancer-free diagnosis, however. He has continued to struggle with complications from his treatment. This year his biggest challenge was vision impairment, a very rare side effect from his chemo. By this summer, he was deemed legally blind. Thank goodness, he has fantastic doctors who have helped him through every obstacle. After two eye surgeries, his vision is greatly improved. He's down from 76 pills a day to a mere 15, and although he still has challenges, he’s finally able to go back to school, play basketball, cook, and all of the other things he loves to do.

This year we also dedicate our efforts to Alessandra, the daughter of our good friend who has just undergone a second transplant in the effort to rid her of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. From the time she was 16, Ale has fought through the effects of intensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, all the while keeping up with her school work and graduating last June from her high school. Just before she was to begin college, she suffered a third relapse requiring another transplant this January. A month later it was determined that the cancer had come back again. Her determination and indomitable strength give her the motivation she needs to keep fighting and hope for the future

These two kids inspire two cancer survivors like Van and me and everyone who knows them to keep moving ahead. Keep in mind that we are fighting for thousands of adults and children just like Tyler and Alessandra. Please help them like you have in the past. Help us put a stop to the heartache and pain this cancer monster causes. Your donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are not wasted. The only way that can be is if we stop now. We have to keep up the fight. Van and I are never going to quit. We ask the same of you.

Donations are gratefully accepted here on my secure fundraising page. If you prefer not to donate online, you can email me at vgarner@doglover.com to find out how to make a donation by check payable to the LLS, or by credit card.

As we train for the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage on June 23, I will be writing updates on my training and how Tyler and Alessandra are doing here on my web page, so check back often. I’m getting better at running now, and when I run I feel like I can conquer the world! I will settle for kicking cancer off the planet. Please help me. We are so close.

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING SEASON

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Honored Teammate Potluck

At the Honored Teammate Potluck today, we heard the stories of those we run and walk for and it was very touching. Training has been going very well, so it was inspiring to hear those who are the face of the mission of the LLS remind us why we are working so hard in our fundraising. Dr. Anderson of City of Hope explained how the LLS grants help so many patients and their families and renewed our resolve to help. Tyler is looking so good. He only has to take 9 pills a day now. Yay! It was so good to see him. In the picture below, he is sporting his UCLA Bruin colored cast. He was knocked down on the playground at school and broke his wrist. Wow. A normal little boy medical problem. Great progress!

Saturday, March 31, 2012 - All Team Practice at Griffith Park

Team in Training marathon teams from all over greater Los Angeles met at Griffith Park to train today. It was announced that all of us together have raised over $500,000 so far this season. That is so awesome. Thank you to all my friends who have helped by contributing donations supporting my efforts! With 2 1/2 months left, I know we can double that number!

The training went well; however, I must tell you that there was a steep hill that went on for over a mile that was NEVERENDING! With my anemia, I thought I was in H-E-double toothpick as I labored up it to the top.Thank goodness Van and Tom were with me so I had someone to whine to!

Watch this video about a sweet little girl named Eva - it will tell you why I keep fundraising for the LLS and keep running and walking up hills and down valleys for miles and miles with Team in Training.

April 3, 2012 Honored Teammate Ale Update

Honored Teammate Ale has been through a lot in the past couple of years. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when she was 16, she has fought through many chemotherapies, surgeries and two transplants. A month after her recent transplant, the cancer came back. I dedicate my training and fundraising to Ale as she steps up once again with her characteristic strength and courage to fight off this monster. Please say a prayer for Ale if you are reading this.

April 14, 2012 Chains of Healing and 16 MILES!

Today we made chains of healing for our honored teammates Ale and Marisol. We wrote notes of encouragement on pieces of brightly colored paper and made them into a chain so they can be hung up to give inspiration. They turned out to be very beautiful!

Then the people training to do a full marathon set off to do the longest mileage of the season - 16 miles! Those doing a half marathon did 8 miles. It was a perfect day for it - a bit chilly with a few clouds from time to time. Just enough to cool us off as we ran and walked. GO TEAM!

May 15, 2012 Breakaway from Cancer and 20 Miles

Honored Teammate Tyler led the Breakaway from Cancer Walk at the Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling again this year. It was so nice to see him and his mom, dad and grandparents and to walk with them to raise awareness for the need to crush cancer! Tyler was looking fit as a fiddle as we walked the Grand Prix course with us. Yay Tyler!

On another note, last Saturday our awesome team set off at 6:30 A.M. at the Rose Bowl to run/walk 20 miles and they absolutely nailed it! Those of us training for a half marathon ran/walked 12 miles which was quite far enough, said my feet. My metatarsitis continues to be problematic when I train for over 5-6 miles. After a few years of trying different shoes, socks, shoe inserts, orthotics and whatever else that might help, I have resigned myself to just dealing with the pain in my feet and "just doing it." I've endured much worse that's for sure. I'm just thankful I can run and walk at all on behalf of other cancer patients.

Before we left to do our miles, I thanked our team for their giving and caring hearts. Even while fundraising themselves, they generously gave to the children at Children's Hospital Los Angeles by donating gift cards. The hospital gives a toy or gift card to each child who is hospitalized on his/her birthday and to each child who undergoes a challenging procedure. I love my team of wonderful human beings!

May 30, 2012 Team Send Off Dinner

Tonight our team enjoyed getting together for the last time before the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Our honored teammates were there to cheer us on and receive their Inspiration Awards which said, "When we get tired and weary, we remember you, we follow your shining example, and we fight on. Thank you for being our heroes." Below is Tyler and his mom after he received his award.

Off to San Diego now! Everyone is very excited to finally arrive at the goal they set for themselves - the finish line.

June 11, 2012 In Memory of ALE

My heart is breaking. Honored Teammate Alessandra lost her battle with Hodgkins lymphoma last night. She was only 19. For three years she was an inspiration to our team - she fought with determination, strength and courage. She endured barbaric chemotherapy, radiation, scans, pricks, slices, a stem cell transplant with her own cells, a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor's cells, and graft versus host disease. It isn't fair that she went through this and still died. IT JUST ISN'T FAIR.

I have known Ale since her mom joined our team when she was first diagnosed.

We have all cheered for Ale at practice. Sent birthday wishes. Cried when we heard her cancer was back. Prayed for some new miracle treatment... something... anything.

Was this outcome inevitable? Did it HAVE to end this way? For Ale.. maybe. But... it doesn't HAVE to end that way in the future. I am certain Ale survived longer because of the treatment that came from the research funded by LLS.

There is obviously more that needs to be done. I am determined to help put an end to this suffering and pain. YOU CAN COUNT ON ME ALE! I won't forget you. You will run with me in every race until a cure is found.