George, Hannah and I have participated in several events for Team In Training to help spread awareness and raise funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! I have completed 5 events for 5 decades of my life and George and Hannah completed 3 of them too! Our journey these past few months has been exciting and emotional! We all have made great strides in supporting a future without blood cancer and we won't stop until there is a cure! We are still trying to reach our STRETCH GOAL of $10,000 - please help if you are able!!

 

BAYSHORE HALF MARATHON AND 10K, MAY 26, 2018 - George and I will be running the half marathon while Hannah runs the 10K!  bayshoremarathon.org COMPLETE!!

 

SAN DIEGO ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON - JUNE 3, 2018  runrocknroll.com COMPLETE!!

 

M22 CHALLENGE - JUNE 9, 2018  m22challenge.com COMPLETE!!

 

CHARLEVOIX MARATHON - JUNE 23, 2018  - I will be running the marathon, George will be running the 10K, and Hannah will be running the 5K!  www.charlevoixmarathon.com COMPLETE!!

 

NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL OF RACES - JULY 7, 2018 - George and I will be running the half marathon, Hannah will run the 10K!  cherryfestival.org/events/2018/meijer-festival-of-races COMPLETE!!

 

It was also a busy July for the Jolly Pumpkin as they agreed to a fundraiser that would support not just LLS but also the Pediatric Infusion Clinic here in Traverse City. For every pint of Pyatt brew that was sold, one dollar was collected to support both of these important causes. 1650 pints were sold so each organization will receive $825.00! Thank you to Jolly Pumpkin all who came out to give your support! We are making these donations in memory of Katie Heintz who lost her life to leukemia. We want to keep her memory alive and do all we can so other children with cancer are able to become healthy again! 

 

 

This is our personal page that is also linked to our team page "Let's Make 50 Grand!" It is a play on words as I turned 50 this year and at the same time I would also LOVE to raise $50,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). I recruited friends to join me so we all could work together to raise as much as we can while challenging ourselves and giving hope to those who are affected by blood cancer. We didn't quite make $50,000, but it is more than I have ever raised on my own! I am so thankful for my little team and our special friendships!

 

Not only am I turning 50 this year, I will also be celebrating TNT's 30th anniversary and my 20th anniversary since running my first marathon for TNT!! I ran the San Diego Marathon in 1998 and I am returning 20 years later to tackle that marathon again!! I was first introduced to TNT by a former boss and special friend. He suggested I give it a try since I liked to stay active. I was also going through a rough time and I thought that clearing my head and thinking of someone other than myself would be the perfect adventure! Little did I know that throughout the years, our family would come to know so many people that have been affected by blood cancer. After connecting with so many friends, families, and neighbors who have faced this battle, our TNT journey has been life-changing, emotionally, mentally, and physically!

 

When we run our TNT events, we try to honor those who have had to endure such painful battles with cancer. We are inspired by their strength, zest for life, and their ability to find some joy, even in the darkest of days. Here are some of the special heroes we have met along the way, and who have changed our lives forever. It seems as if everywhere I go, I hear of new diagnosis and it breaks my heart, especially when it is children. We have been blessed to make a new connection with the Heintz Family but we were brought together by an article about Katie's life and her battle with leukemia. This happens all to often and we continue to carry our heavy hearts with the memories of too many.

 

MILE 1

Josie Greenwood

www.caringbridge.org/visit/josiegreenwood

Josie was a beautiful, little girl who lost her battle with leukemia at 3 1/2. She is our first dedication as she is the very first child we have ever known who had leukemia so we are dedicating mile 1 to Josie. Our daughter, Hannah, became special friends in preschool with Averi, Josie's younger sister. Our son George, would be in the same age as Josie and they all would have attended school together. Her story and her family's love inspired us to challenge ourselves as well as others to try and make a difference. Josie is our angel.

 

MILE 2

Zoe Schillinger

www.caringbridge.org/visit/zoeschillinger

Zoe was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2011 when she was just 2 1/2, so mile 2 is dedicated to this beautiful little girl. She finished her treatment in June of 2013 and just recently turned 8! She is full of energy and is cancer-free!

 

MILE 3

JossLynn Brown

www.caringbridge.org/visit/josslynnbrown

Mile 3 is dedicated to JossLynn as she was just 3 1/2 when she was diagnosed in January of 2009 with leukemia. She faced her treatment with amazing strength and completed her program in May of 2011. Josie is now 11 years old, cancer-free and dancing her way through life!

 

MILE 4

Austin Ullrich

www.carepages.com/carepages/AustinBoston

Sweet Austin was diagnosed with a very rare leukemia just after he was born. We have dedicated mile 4 to him as he turned 4 when we first honored him in the Marine Corps Marathon. Austin is now 7 and cancer free!

 

MILE 5

Eric Lutheran

www.caringbridge.org/visit/ericlutheran

Eric was a young man of 32 when he was first diagnosed and has spent the last few years battling leukemia, enjoying a few brief moments of remission and then faced another diagnosis of leukemia. He is now suffering other side effects because of the treatment and had to return to Mayo in Rochester for a transplant. He just recently made this familiar trip and he is cancer free! His favorite number is 5 so whenever you give out a high five, please keep him in your hearts and thoughts!

 

MILE 6

Ellen Gregoire

www.caringbridge.org/visit/ellengregoire

Ellen was diagnosed with leukemia at age 5 in June (month 6) of 2008 and her beautiful smile and positive outlook radiated throughout her treatment. She is now in 8th grade, growing into a beautiful young lady and is cancer-free! She is George's age and I always think about Ellen and what she is up to now! She has grown up in front of our eyes and we were honored to have her visit Phoenix Elementary with Rosebud, her Make-A-Wish puppy who has also now grown up and now has a new puppy sibling!

 

MILE 7

Conner Adair

www.caringbridge.org/visit/connoradair

Conner was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just a couple of months old and he spent the next few months battling this horrible disease only to pass away at 10 months old.

 

MILE 8

Ron Campbell

We dedicate mile 8 to the father of one of my best friends from high school. Mr. Campbell passed away from leukemia in 2002, the same year his grandson was born on March 8.

 

MILE 9

Barb Sloan Donnelly

We are dedicating mile 9 to my mom's first cousin and special friend, Barb, who was diagnosed with lymphoma. After facing treatment after treatment for many years, she still faces ongoing doctors' appointments and medicines for relapses. 

 

MILE 10

Jordan Dvorak

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordandvorak

Jordan's favorite number is 10 so we will be thinking of him during mile of our marathon! Jordan is amazing little boy who finished his chemo treatment in 2012 after battling leukemia like a super hero!! He is now in 6th grade and cancer-free!

 

MILE 11

Vickie Snowden Delmonte

Mile 11 is dedicated to an amazing wife, mother and daughter of my mom's childhood friend. Vickie, whose birthday is November 11, battled lymphoma for several years and she is now cancer-free!

 

MILE 14

Ali Borgen

www.carepages.com/carepages/WeLoveAliB

smilesfromali.wordpress.com

Mile 14 is dedicated to sweet Ali Borgen as she lost her life to leukemia in 2011 when she was just 14 years old. Ali was an amazing child with the wisdom of a person who has discovered the meaning of life. She faced her cancer with such force and optimism that we all are still shocked that she is no longer with us. She had such a positive outlook on life and a true belief in the good of all people. Ali is known for her quote, "Smile Wide Everyday" and every year on September 5, Ali's Birthday, it is "Smile Wide Day" in Grand Forks, ND. Share your smile wherever you go!!

 

MILE 15

Taylor Vossekuil

www.caringbridge.org/visit/taylorvossekuil

Taylor was a vibrant, young teenager when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Her battle and treatment were rocky and painful and she passed away in 2007 when she was not yet 15. Taylor was also a postive, happy child and seemed to eminate this radiance wherever she went. Her favorite saying was "F.R.O.G. Forever Rely On God".

 

MILE 16

Mike Sherman

www.classcreator.com/Dearborn-MI-1984/class_profile.cfm?member_id=89393

When I was 16, Mike was 18 and a super cool senior at our high school. He was one of the kindest upperclassman that I knew, not to mention one of the most handsome. It was such a shock to hear of his death from leukemia just a few short years later. He will always be remembered.

 

MILE 17

Kaya Kavadas

www.caringbridge.org/visit/kayakavadas

Kaya was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2007 and has faced many ups and downs these past few years due to the disease and the treatments. She is a true inspiration of bravery and optimism and has grown into a beautiful young lady. At the age of 13, Kaya is cancer-free!!

 

MILE 18

Nancy Bemis Pennington

Nancy was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 18 and I met her shortly thereafter in Charlevoix, MI. I was spending the summers as a camp counselor and cocktail waitress having the time of my life, while Nancy was bravely facing leukemia. I wish I had been more aware of leukemia back then and had been a better friend. Nancy is one of the sweetest people I know and we are so lucky to know her and her family. Nancy is not only an amazing wife and mom, she is a wonderful daughter, special cousin and friend! She has been cancer-free for many years!

 

MILE 19

Kerri Kennelly

Kerri is a loving wife and mom and faced lymphoma with great strength and grace. She and her family have always supported our marathons for the LLS and we would like to honor her with our run. She is a wonderful baker and donated delicious baked goods, wrapped in pretty ribbons, for our charity yard and bake sales! What an inspiration to give to this cause when she was facing her own battle!! Kerri is now cancer-free!!

 

MILE 20

DeeDee Grant

http://caringbridge.org/visit/deedeegrant

DeeDee is a very special friend from college and when I was told that she has leukemia in 2013, right before we ran the Marine Corps Marathon, I was shocked and very scared. DeeDee has always been supportive of what we do for the LLS (and throughout my life's ups and downs) and to know that she was now fighting this from a personal perspective continued to push me to keep trying to find a cure. DeeDee has always been the rock for so many people through out the years, and no matter what was occurring in her life, she always had words of wisdom for others. At 20 years of age we had the adventure of a lifetime when we headed to France to study and to travel Europe! Not only is she an amazing friend, she gives in so many ways, like visiting VA hospitals with her best friend, Jaeger, the German Shepherd, at her side. She fought a very rare form of leukemia and is now cancer free! DEE DEE IS FEELING WELL ENOUGH TO JOIN US IN TC FOR THE BAYSHORE 10K! HOORAY!

 

MILE 21

Jack Parrish

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackparrish

Jack is another amazing boy who is still finishing up his treatment to fight off leukemia. He was surprised with a Make-A-Wish trip and left on February 21 of this year to head to Legoland in Florida! Keep Jack in your thoughts as he completes his treatment!

 

MILE 22

Brittany Dvorak

www.caringbridge.org/visit/brittanydvorak

Mile 22 is dedicated to a wonderful girl whose basketball jersey number was 22!! Brittany is such a beautiful, strong young lady and had a very painful battle with leukemia. Although she is still facing some pain and damage from the leukemia and treatment, she is finally cancer-free!!

 

MILE 23

Brenda Ann Rubinoff

Brenda Ann passed away on August 27, 2013 at the age of only 66 after a very shocking diagnosis of lymphoma on August 14. She met her husband when she was 23, which in turn resulted in a wonderful son, Brad, who became our good friend. Brenda was a dedicated and loving wife and mom - a true inspiration to all.

 

MILE 24

Lance Koschtial

I am running mile 24 in honor Dan Koschtial's dad, Lance. Dan is a friend from Alma College and he reached out to me to tell me about his dad's diagnosis and to also donate to my previous TNT event. So far Mr. Koschtial's treatments are working and he is feeling very few side effects. We will keep running and sending good vibes as he continues to heal!

 

MILE 25

Jim Odegard

Jim was the loving uncle of Stephanie (Odegard) LaDue and long-time Grand Fork's County State's Attorney. He lived on Belmont Road (in a house just down the block from where we used to live) and spent his summers at Cass Lake. He passed away in 2009 after battling leukemia and lymphoma for several years.

 

MILE 26

Judy Sieber

Judy is an incredibly strong woman who was diagnosed with leukemia several years ago. She never gave up the fight, even when she lost her house because she could no longer work. Judy spent 6 months in the hospital and had a bone marrow transplant. She is now cancer-free and is determined to stay uplifted. She is a devoted mom and friend and her talent for being an interior designer reflects literally in her attitude and spirit for life.

 

MILE .2

This portion of the run is by far the hardest part as it seems like it is such a short distance but yet it seems to go on forever!  We decided to dedicate this .2 of a mile not just to the heroes but also the families that give unstoppable, never-ending, unconditional love and support to those who are battling blood cancer. And no matter how tough or dark the days get, they keep fighting and pushing forward. So as we head into the final leg of our run, we will keep pushing forward not just physically but also with spreading awareness, raising funds and fighting for a cure.

 

Your donation will help fund treatments that save lives every day; like immnuotherapies that use a person’s own immune system to kill cancer. You may not know it, but every single donation helps save a life with breakthrough therapies such as these. If you would like to know more about LLS treatments and the TNT experience, click on our "Team Page" button to view the links to informative articles and websites!

 

Thank you for your donation and support throughout this entire journey!

 

Thank you!

 

TEAM ABNER