Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. 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.
Running...
I started running almost 3 years ago. I had been watching a friend of mine run race after race, eventually running a full marathon. I was intrigued by the "exercise" portion of running, but it wasn't like running took you from point A to point B, a new location, it took you right back to point A!
I decided to try the couch to 5K program. I had no intention of becoming a distance runner. I ran a few 5Ks and thought...now what? For the entire first year, I had a love/hate relationship with running. I loved the exercise...but was not loving the running. Once I passed the 1 year mark, it was like a switch was flipped, the love started flowing.
At this point, I have added a few half marathons to my running resume. I am amazed to say, I have even added a full marathon to my bucket list.
Life took a turn...
This school year started off like any other year. Both girls were excited to see their friends and looking forward to the year ahead. Sydni went into the 4th grade, and Reese went into 1st. Both girls were trying cross country for the first time. At some point during the beginning of September, I noticed that Sydni physically started looking a little green. She started to feel tired, had headaches, and continued to look more and more green. We kept her in the house, outside of school, because we thought it was allergy related.
As things progressed, we decided to take Sydni to the doctor's office. At this point, we thought maybe she was anemic. The doctor drew blood and ran a few tests. The next morning while at work, I got the call saying that Sydni's results were in, it looks like Leukemia. The doctor on the other end of the line told me we needed to go down to Children's hospital, they will be waiting for us.
Leukemia ALL...
Diagnosis day was October 11, 2013, I received the call at 11:25 am. I can even tell you exactly where I was standing when my phone rang. Having to pick up Sydni early from school was hard, I can still see her walking up to me in the hallway, smiling. I just had to put one foot in front of the other.
My bags were actually already packed the day before, only because I was supposed to be on the road to Baltimore that day, for the Baltimore Half Marathon. In the span of one phone call, I was on the road to Washington, DC.
It has been a long journey thus far. We still have 2-2.5 years left of treatment. Every day, Sydni shows me a new reason why she is my hero. She is on her third central line, made it to the other side of three line infections, and has learned how to deal with pokes and prods that no child should have to get used to.
Running...
The day after diagnosis, Joe and I looked at each other and agreed, here is my reason to run. I have a cause. But my real motivation? Sydni. I now run, because...I can! Seeing what these kids go through and how much is taken away from them, through no fault of their own, is hard to watch. I will be running the Marine Corps Marathon in honor of Sydni. Yes, 26.2 miles sound painful, but when compared to what she has been through, it is the least I can do.
How you can help...
Please keep Sydni in your prayers, her journey is far from over. She is my hero, a champion, a warrior!
Please support Team Sydni by donating to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team Sydni. I hope that by raising money through Team Sydni, that we can help other children who will be facing the same diagnosis, and maybe one day, make Leukemia a thing of the past! This opportunity has given me a little power to feel like I can do something, on a journey that I feel completely powerless in.
Thank you for joining Team Sydni!
Belinda McKee | $251.00 |
The Siford Family | $150.00 |
Bartlett family | $150.00 |
Belinda McKee | $150.00 |
Georgia Deater Marti... | $100.00 |
Kathy Doherty | $100.00 |
Heather McCubbin | $100.00 |
The Alford Family | $100.00 |
Brad & Sharon Jo... | $100.00 |
Lisa Augustine | $100.00 |
Joe & Vesna | $100.00 |
Regina Crampton | $100.00 |
Heather Mauzy | $100.00 |
George Petran | $100.00 |
Natalie , Acadia &am... | $100.00 |
Superior Physical Th... | $76.00 |
Brian Sallerson | $50.00 |
Stacey Krantz | $50.00 |
Heather Smith | $50.00 |
Sharon Simpson | $50.00 |
Sam and Susan Swann | $50.00 |
Lorri and Carl Rich... | $50.00 |
Jennifer Bliven | $50.00 |
Donna Sperling | $50.00 |
Alayna Allen | $50.00 |
Liz Barrett | $50.00 |
Mandy Tzan | $25.00 |
Stacy Montgomery | $25.00 |
Cynthia Berchtold | $20.00 |
Owen Siford | $10.00 |
Kelly Bolcik | $10.00 |
Tom and Sheri Burke | |
Greg & Carol Cha... | |
Janice Webber, Shirl... | |
Joe & Jeanette J... | |
Don & Helen McNa... | |
Georgia & Dale S... | |
The Cox Family | |
The Burke-Schwarte-F... | |
Jean Johnson | |
Kathleen Watts | |
Daniella Sperling | |
Cathy Watkins | |
The Bolcik Family | |
Kelly Kroh-Jones | |
Amy House | |
Tracy and Kyle Thoma... | |
Kat | |
Lera Straits | |
The Doxzen Family | |
Allyson March | |
Traci George and Fam... | |
Shannon Morgan | |
The Ruderman Family | |
The Dunn Family | |
Amy Kreger and Famil... | |
The Egupov Family | |
The Rosenfeld family... | |
The Lucas Family | |
The Goodyear Family | |
Dana and Bill Austin... | |
Heck Family | |
Zach Thomas | |
Jodi Keyfauver | |
Jean Austin |
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.