Welcome to Bob Allen's Team-in-Training Page

I made it !

Pictured on the right is (the majority of) the Maryland Team-in-Training at 6 AM, 7 June 2009, just prior to the start of the 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org). Including myself, all Maryland riders completed the century ride. Each of the 23 team members from the state (along with 1500 riders nationwide) rode these 100 miles in one day to raise $6.8M for cancer patients and for cancer research. Personally, I was able to complete the course in 6:33 and raise close to $6K, thanks to your generosity.

I am particularly glad to have participated this year at this time, as Rachel Minkove, the patient I am riding in honor of (see below), undergoing a bone marrow transplant this week. My thoughts and prayers are with the Minkove family as they go through this grueling process.

By supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, your gifts support funds for educational materials, research, counseling and support services for family members and more. Rest assured that the care for Rachel, and patients like her, is better as a result.

Thank you for your support!

Rachel Minkove has been battling Hodgkin's lymphoma since she was diagnosed in Oct. 2008. After completing six months of chemotherapy treatments every other week, she must continue with more intense treatment and a undergo a bone marrow transplant from her younger brother, Sam, who is a perfect match as well 2009 graduate from the University of Maryland. Rachel, 25, is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.A. in history. She taught elementary schoolchildren in Los Angeles for two years and moved to New York last summer, a few blocks from her older brother, Jon. Drawing support from her loving family and community, she temporarily moved home and is being treated at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

The late Mel Lerner, DDS fought a long battle with multiple myeloma; longer than anyone believed (except maybe he). Not many thought that Mel would live to see the birth of his fifth grandchild, Refael Simcha. Prayer, love, and experimental treatments kept him alive almost until Rafii was 2 and he was privileged to have 2 more grandchildren after him. I train and ride in memory of Mel and in honor of the loving family he left behind.