During my treatment for Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL), I've been blessed with meeting some truly phenomenal patients and caregivers. You would be amazed at how all of them maintained such a positive attitude even while facing their trial with cancer. It made it difficult to chose one patient to honor. Last week when my friend Kevin Maurer passed away the choice became crystal clear.

Kevin Maurer had Acute Myleoid Leukemia and was exactly one week ahead of me at Duke in the Bone Marrow Transplant program. He, his wife Julie and three daughters (Lindsey, Tara and Amber) made an immediate impression on us. He was constantly walking (like me), had an incredibly positive attitude (like me but better) and was always smiling even if he wasn't feeling well. His wife Julie is a phenomenal woman and caregiver(like Krysti :)).

Part of Team Kevin walking the halls at Duke, a daily occurrence.

Kevin was one of three patients that was part of the crazy pajama bottom pants crew, that loved to joke around with the nurses. His pajama pants of choice had sock monkeys on them.

Chris (Angry Birds)(Chris's Crew - 'Ace it!') and I (Mickey Mouse or Star Wars) were the other two and we were kindred spirits. Julie wanted to get a picture of the three of us all in our pajama pants my one regret is that we never took this picture, we were planning on doing it at the reunion, unfortunately Kevin will only be there in spirit.

Kevin had a bit of a rough time after transplant and ended up in the ICU with lung problems. He had people all over praying for him.

Kevin in the ICU, his wife Julie rarely left his side, slept in a chair in his room. He is wearing a Team Mike "Run Towards the Fight" and Team Kevin Bracelet "No one fights alone!" He started on an an oscillator, moved to a ventilator and made a miraculous recovery. The power of prayer had brought Kevin back from the brink, he truly is the toughest man I know, a true fighter.

Kevin and I in the Rehab hospital, here he is looking good and looking forward to heading home soon.

Kevin, Julie and two of his daughter in the rehab garden. Just before heading home.

Kevin made it home before Thanksgiving and celebrated that holiday with his family in South Carolina. After that they made trips to visit Julie's family and up to Indiana to visit Kevin's family. After coming home Kevin and Julie had their follow up appointment at Duke. While there some irregularities were noted in the blood, so a bone marrow biopsy was ordered. They received a cancer patients worst news the next day, the Leukemia was back. Kevin was admitted to the hospital the next day, he knew that he was going to die. Called his priest and asked him to come see him, told his priest that he was going to die and he was okay with it. Again showing incredible grace and setting an example for us all! Kevin knew where he was going and had made peace with it. He was able to call all eleven of his siblings and his mother to say goodbye. He and Julie stayed up telling funny stories, smiling and having a good time. Kevin passed away in his sleep that morning, with the love of his life at his side.

So I'm doing this for Team Kevin because he is right when he says "No One Fights Alone!" You cannot beat cancer by yourself, its what Lance Armstrong left out of his book and the theme of mine. (I'm going to keep calling him on this until I meet him ;) ) Kevin is one of those guys that can lift you up when your feeling down, you will be missed! But I know I'll see that smile of yours in the future! I cannot wait to pull some pranks with you in heaven!

Right now thanks to my generous donors I have already exceeded my goal for this event! You guys rock and keep me motivated. My training has been off I have been fighting a cold for the past couple of weeks and for some reason my immature immune system is having some difficulty getting rid of it. Zack and I will be back on it today, I know Kevin wouldn't be slacking off!

Team Mike "In times of crisis some run towards the fight!"

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

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

Up until January of last year I would have described my health as excellent or better. I was training up for my first marathon and had been feeling great. In January I was off my pace and had a hard time keeping up with my buddies during training runs, I thought I had a virus and went to go see the doctor. I found myself being admitted to the hospital that very day, where I was told I had Leukemia. I had always thought of Leukemia as a childhood disease and really didn't know that adults could get it too. I was later told that I had Acute Lymphotic Leukemia with bad genetics that would require a bone marrow transplant and started chemotherapy.

Taken at the start of chemotherapy after neurosurgery for an omyaport.

Not one to sit down and wallow in self pity I began walking and walked a marathon during my first hospital stay. I had in the back of my mind that I could still do a half marathon. Thanks to the miracles of modern treatment and the OUTSTANDING CARE received at PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER (WAY TO GO 4J)! I was able finish the Shamrock Half-marathon between between my third and fourth cycles of chemotherapy. My friend Randy Strickland and I finished in 3 hours 2 seconds. Randy developed Team Mike to help raise money for his Team in Training efforts and continues to train with Team in Training.

Shamrock 1/2 Last year between my third and fourth cycles of chemotherapy.

I recently finished a Bone Marrow Transplant at Duke Hospital in North Carolina. I came through with minimal complications, again thanks to an OUTSTANDING MEDICAL team at DUKE UNIVERSITY ADULT BONE MARROW PROGRAM! I am feeling stronger everyday, but consider myself extremely fortunate because many transplant patients have significant complications.

My friend Kevin (L) and I, he also had a bone marrow transplant but had more complications. He is a fighter and has been doing super and on the road to recovery.

This year I have been touched by many people who have leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. We need better treatments for all of these diseases, as a Leukemia survivor I am personally motivated to help Team in Training raise money to find a cure for these diseases. I am confident that with your support we will find one! I am doing this for myself(Team Mike), Team Kevin, Chris's Crew, my friends Bill, Mark Ronnie and Sean. Plus I need to blow away that 3 hour time from last year.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

Thanks for your time!

Mike Ansley

Team Mike "In Times of Crisis Some Run Towards the Fight"