Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

As you may know, my father Calvin Fuhrmann was raised in a children’s home just outside of New York City. Through sponsorships and the support of several individuals and families around Yonkers NY, my dad attended college in Maryland, excelled, and then went on to Medical School. He said to me recently in a candid tone, “I am where I am today because people took the time to care for me and help me.”

I see him extend that same level of care and understanding to me, to my family and to the patients he sees on a daily basis. He has a devoted patient base in his general and pulmonary practice, owing not only to the quality of expertise he shares, but to the time and listening skills he employs. My father loves a good story and shares experiences and anecdotes as part of the rapport he has with his patients. Patients who cannot afford care have always found ways to “pay” through the donation of goods and services.

My father has supported me unconditionally. The quality of the life I have now has direct connection to the support both my Dad and Mom have given to me – from the education I have been provided and from the emotional support they have given me on a daily basis. Now that I am married and the parent of two girls, ages 6 and 9, I am able to look at my parents with great empathy and gratitude for the role they have taken in my life. It has been important now more than ever to share that gratitude with them.

My Mom and Dad on a recent visit with me while I was working in Belize

Three years ago, my father was diagnosed with CLL – Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia. It was a diagnosis that brought our family priorities into sharp focus. While there is no cure for this kind of Leukemia, advances funded through the LLS have been made to continue my dad’s quality of life. He currently is in treatment and continues to practice medicine part-time and enjoy time with my mom and our family.

I am running in the 2013 Walt Disney World Half Marathon on January 12, 2013 to honor my father and my family. I am running as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s ( LLS) Team in Training.

I am asking you for your financial contribution to support this effort and to raise money for the LLS to advance treatment for blood cancer research. Your donation goes to LLS and is entirely tax-deductible.

My goal is to raise $5,000. Any amount helps and is deeply appreciated.

I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

Thank you all for your support and love for our whole family.

Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons

Ava and Ellie, my daughters who will be supporting me on race day.