Welcome to my Team In Training Home Page

August 9, 2002 my 7 month old son, Jack, was diagnosed with ALL - acute lymphoblastic leukemia. My wife and I were told he was high risk because of his age and high white count. And so we were sent on a journey which included chemotherapy (poison), many hospital stays, almost daily doctor visits, needles, spinal taps, central lines, ports, blood & platelet transfusions and this was just the first year. Jack went into remission but the leukemia came back almost immediately after treatment stopped. Our only option at that point was a bone marrow transplant but we were very hopeful because his older brother, Ryan, was a perfect match. The bone marrow treatment consisted of even higher doses of chemotherapy and full body radiation as well as more of the above. The bone marrow went smoothly but again the leukemia came back quickly. Jack lost his battle a little over 2 years after it began. He passed away on November 17, 2004 and changed our lives forever. He would have turned 3 years old January 1st.

Today Jack would be 9 years old and thinking back, it seems like yesterday he was here. Although the journey had lots of tears, pain and sorrow, it also had laughter, joy and happiness. I attibute that to Jack's spirit. For the most part he fought his battle with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart. He fought so hard and squeezed as much life out as he could in the short time he was here. As the saying goes "out of the mouths of babes", I would like to add "out of their actions" as well - Jack taught me many life lessons and below are a few of them I try to live by.

Jack's lessons:

-To find something you really enjoy, do it to excess and ask to do it one more time.

-Whether you are too young, too old, too short or too tall, just join in and have a ball.

-To accept what you are dealt in life and then use every ounce of your strength to make it better. Be a fighter not a complainer

-To enjoy all the simple pleasures in life that we take for granted.

-No matter what the problem, 1 or 2 Rolos will solve it.

-Just floating in the pool in your life jacket is a great way to end the day.

-NEVER give up...NEVER give up...NEVER give up

And most importantly

-To love

I'm training to participate in the 100 mile cycling event around Lake Tahoe on June 5, 2011 as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am riding in this event in memory of Jack and in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These individuals are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. If your company matches donations please let me know. Remember even the smallest donation makes a difference and is much appreciated.

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