Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

If you know me, you probably know the story of Brandon Willems, my boyfriend's younger brother.

I was studying abroad in the summer of 2009 when I got a phone call that Brandon (just 18 years old) was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was nearly impossible to believe. Just a few month's earlier my childhood friend beat Leukemia so with Brandon's incredible family I was convinced everything would be fine. The Willems family had the same mindset and even created the motto "Be Positive", after Brandon's blood type. Between sacrificing his freshman year of college, months in the hospital with chemotherapy, and eventually undergoing a bone marrow transplant from his younger brother, Brandon went into remission and started to live a healthy, normal life again.

A few months later, in the spring of 2010, cancer cells reared their ugly heads again and this time it was worse. Brandon kept fighting but multiple infections and surgeries continually decreased his physical strength. Regardless, Brandon and his family stayed positive. Tragically, on May 14th, we got a call that there was another infection and this time surgery was not going to be enough. Brandon only had a matter of hours left to live. We quickly made the 4-hour drive to the hospital to say our goodbyes. That night over 100 of Brandon's loved ones joined us at the hospital to say farewell to one of the most inspirational people they knew.

I keep a tattoo of a smiley face on my foot as a reminder from Brandon to stay positive regardless of any challenge I face. I have never run a full mile, let along a half marathon but I keep telling myself, "training is much easier than chemo!"

I have a mission to help find cures and more effective treatments for people like Brandon. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in the New York City Half Marathon in March 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.

I have already donated $100, so challenge yourself to match me. Even exchanging a $5 cup of Starbucks for a $5 donation would be much appreciated! Every dollar helps! All donations are tax deductible so get your donation in before 2012!

Please also consider passing along Brandon's story to others so we can increase our efforts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story and participate in my goal. And remember, Be Positive!