Thank you all so much for your support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team-in-Training Program®.

I have signed up for my very first 1/2 marathon and I am fundraising and training to complete the Disney 1/2 Marathon, January 8th! But, as always I like to set my goals high and would like to run the full marathon at Disney, January 9th.

I know what you are thinking..."I'm Crazy to really WANT to run 26 miles"...but please read more and let me explain to you why I have chosen to make this commitment and then you will understand why I am so excited and determined to accomplish this life changing experience. And how you can help me reach my goal!

Blood Cancers are the cancers of the innocent. You don’t get Leukemia from smoking or drinking or not exercising enough and eating bad foods. It just enters your life ready or not. Here are the Facts:

• Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

• An estimated 139,860 people in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2009.

• New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma account for 9.5 percent of the 1,479,350 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year.

• Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 53,240 people in the United States this year.

• These blood cancers will account for nearly 9.5 percent of the deaths from cancer in 2009 based on the 562,340 total cancer-related deaths.

• Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents nearly 146 people each day, or more than six people every hour.

• Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.

TNT is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s largest fundraising program, bringing in over 114 million dollars this past year alone. Each participant in the program pledges to raise a certain amount of money during the 4-5 months they train for their event. I have been asked to raise $2000, but as you many of you know I like to set my personal standards high. My personal fundraising goal is to raise at least $3000 and if I get there I am going to go for the Full Marathon and with your help and encouragement I know I can go the extra 13 miles!

The money that I will raise for research is fulfilling, but really the most important and inspirational part of my training is that my hard work will make a difference in the lives of others including the many honored teammates of TNT. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers and to honor my teammate AJ Weyant. These people & AJ (read more about AJ & his story below) are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Along with that there are also my personal inspirations; my Grandfather Benfield, whom passed away a few years ago, but always a very loving, caring and giving man; my Papa Farr whom passed away from cancer a couple years ago and Andrew Lawing, a survivor, both men a huge part of me and my family. They all may or may not know it, but they have shared with me what it means to continue striving to be the strong, caring, and goal-seeking person I am today.

These strong, gracious individuals along with all of you are the reason I am committing myself to this goal. With this inspiration how can I not fight my way to the finish line? It is a chance to embody a glimmer of hope for those who are battling blood cancers and to remember those who have lost their battle.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. No donation is too small and all are 100% tax deductible.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS:

Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser - Sat. Sept 11, 2010 from 6pm -9pm

More details coming soon!

Please donate online or make your donation payable to LLS and send to:

Kirsten Benfield

879 Benchwood Dr.

Winter Springs, FL 32708

Meet AJ Weyant

His Story:

AJ Weyant was born on August 2, 2006 and has been the light our lives since he made his appearance. We all knew he was special from the moment he arrived. His sweet smile, bright blue eyes and ornery playfulness can make anyone’s day a good one.

In September 2007, AJ went to the doctor with a cold for a simple visit. The cold turned into pneumonia and a stay at the hospital. After an x-ray of the chest discovered a large mass in his lungs, AJ underwent surgery to remove it. Luckily the oncologist decided to get a sample of bone marrow as well. Our only thought was to worry about the

mass being malignant, but when the results came back, we were told AJ has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He was only 13 months at the time.

AJ immediately began what would turn into several difficult months of intense chemotherapy treatments, hospital stays and doctor visits. He basically lost a year out of his life – instead of learning to walk and talk, AJ spent his days hooked to an IV, sick and away from his friends at daycare.

The good news is that he is currently in remission and is enjoying being a typical kid. AJ is now 3 years and will continue to receive maintenance chemotherapy treatments for another year. Enduring cancer and chemo is something no one should have to bear, but seeing a child face the challenge with complete strength and courage is life changing. Because he is a fighter, we know he will sail through the final year of treatments and continue to win in his battle with leukemia. AJ is a complete inspiration…he truly is our hero!

~ Brent & Hope Weyant