Katie is Racing to Save Lives!

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

Some of you may already know that I have completely lost my mind and am currently training for a triathlon! I started training in mid-November for a triathlon that will be held on April 26th in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am training with Team in Training, a program that benefits The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am asking for your support in raising money for this great cause. Let me explain...

What exactly is a triathlon?

A triathlon is an endurance event that includes three different sports: first, a 0.9 mile swim, followed by a 25 mile bike ride, and lastly a 6.2 mile run.

What is Team in Training?

Team In Training is an endurance sports training program that raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $600 million in research specifically targeting blood cancers.

Why on earth is she doing this?

The answer is complex, but essentially it is to prove to myself that I can. When I push myself farther than I think I can go, what am I really capable of? I am not only completing this event for myself, but more importantly, in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

How can I help?

You can donate on my website quickly and securely. Each, 100% tax deductible, donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases. Anything you wish to contribute is greatly appreciated.

If you company has a donation matching program please let me know!!

Where does my money go?

Your donation makes a difference! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society dedicates 75% of every dollar spent to advance its mission to cure blood cancers and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Research funding has helped to develop treatments that have increased the survival rate of children suffering from Leukemia from 4% in 1961 to 85% today. As you can see below, each donation makes a difference.

•$50 will register 1 person to be a bone marrow donor.

•$75 will provide HLA (bone marrow) typing for a family member of a patient with leukemia.

•$100 will pay for the cost of 4 patient’s chemotherapy drug description co-payments.

•$300 will train 25 peer counselors who can provide support to newly diagnosed patients.

•$500 will provide patient aid to a person with Leukemia or a related cancer for a year.

•$1000 allows patients to meet with health care specialists to design and discuss their disease, treatment plan and prepare them with the info they will need during the treatment process.

•$2000 provides patients with a one month supply of Gleevec, a treatment for patients with Chronic Myelogeous Leukemia. Gleevec is special because it is a cancer treatment in the form of a pill, not injection like most cancer therapy. It was developed through research funded by the Society.

Your donations are what will keep me going during my next 3 months of training. Knowing that I have family and friends who support me and believe in me will help me get through all of the early morning swims and freezing cold runs! Every donation keeps me motivated to get out there and practice with the team even when the wind chill in Central Park is below zero!

Please pass this letter on to as many people as possible and encourage them to donate as well. You never know who has had their life touched by cancer and would want to contribute to this great cause.

On behalf of myself and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support!

All my love,

Katie

p.s. – I would love to see you on race day cheering me on! April is the perfect time to visit beautiful sunny Florida!