We made it 26.2 - and couldn't have done it without you! THANK YOU!

We need your help. Some of you may know that Marilyn has been fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The reality is that enough research has been completed that today she is living – a statement that would not have been true 10 years ago. However, we are a long way from a permanent cure.

That’s why this year Lyssa, Johanna and Bob are going to be walking along side Marilyn at the Nike Women’s Marathon with Team in Training – raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We will be taking over 52,000 steps in this marathon. That is one step for each person that will die from a blood cancer this year. We may not be cancer researchers (and you likely aren’t either), but together we can help to support LLS as they support research and patient services for the thousands of people affected by blood cancers each year.

This year your participation with us is even more precious, as Marilyn was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. While she has undergone surgery and will complete follow up care, this also impacts her current lymphoma treatment. Helping her to achieve this milestone event is important to her and to us.

So, please, make a donation to support our participation in Team in Training and help advance LLS’s mission. You are helping to save Marilyn’s life, and the lives of so many others. Tell us who we can honor for you by adding the names of your loved ones to our honor board. Tell your friends, coworkers and family about our cause, and ask them to participate as well. If you work for a company that sponsors matching donations, double or triple your contribution in that way. Every penny counts!

Feel free to make your 100% tax-deductible donation online here. Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check made out to LLS (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) to:

Lyssa Thaden

PO Box 10774

Spokane, WA 99207

We thank you in advance for your support (financially and otherwise!), and hope that you will continue to cheer us on all along the way.

THANK YOU!

Lyssa, Johanna, Bob & Marilyn

• Lyssa: lyssaland@hotmail.com
• Johanna: johannaschultz@gmail.com
• Bob & Marilyn: bmthaden@midrivers.com

In Honor Of:

• Marilyn Thaden
• George Bolks
• Curtis Edlin
• Kari Brewer
• JoAnn Johnson
• Dan Rose
• Chole Corlett
• Larry Kaul
• E.C. Thomason
• Brenda Griffis
• Ken Tenny
• Bernadette Shintaffer
• Jeffrey Pride
• Rosalie Pride
• Butch Dye
• Tara Davis

In Memory Of:

• Drew Murray
• James W. McGowan
• Deena Barber
• Gerda Schechter
• Lela Wilson
• Jack Swanson

10.17.2008: Blog from Lyssa

We are leaving for San Francisco today! Many thanks to those of you who joined us virtually and in person for "cause-mos" last week, and for all of the generous donations and encouraging emails and conversations over the past few days. This truly will be an experience of a lifetime - and we couldn't have done it without your support. I know I've said it before, but I just need to write it one more time: Team in Training and LLS provide hope to so many people who are struggling with cancer. It's that simple. HOPE! But, in the struggle for your life, hope is often in short supply. Thank you for helping to keep the light shining just a little longer and a little brighter. With exceptional gratitude for a living mom... WALK ON!!

10.6.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Yesterday was the Portland Marathon! And, I am proud to say that every one of our Team participants successfully crossed the finish line. I will admit that I did not have a great running day. I faught nausea and side aches most of the 26.2 miles. But, Josh ran with me from mile 5 - going a turtle pace for him - but beside me the whole painful way. I know that what I endured was nothing compared to a round of chemo or a bone marrow transplant. And, at the end of the race there was a finish for me. There is never a finish line when you have cancer. Just hope for the next water stop. For the eventual cure, RUN ON!

9.20.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Yesterday we lost a survivor. Jack Swanson, a local running icon, lost his battle with leukemia. He had run over 200 marathons, and was always a friendly face as both a runner and a volunteer. Jack will be missed. For those who can't, RUN ON for a cure...

9.11.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Today is a day of national sorrow. It is also a day of both hope and anxiety for me. Today my mom has two chemo treatments - one for her lymphoma, and then another for her breast cancer. I'm sure it's stress induced, but I ran about 12 miles in a numb place, stuck between tears and hope. And I can't help but think of those of you who have been there for me, my mom, and my family over the distance. Whether it is on the course, through your words of encouragement, your hours of assistance, or your donation - you help to make a difference. This weekend I will be out on the trail for our 20 mile run. And I will be taking your good deeds with me to help me to the end, as together, we reach for a cure. Thank you, thank you, thank you! RUN ON for a cure!

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UPDATE (9/1/2008): For those of you in the Miles City, MT area, you might know of Kari Brewer. She is a nurse in cardiac rehabiliation; she also is a professional photographer with her own studio. She volunteered her time to photograph cancer survivors ala Calendar Girls as a Relay for Life benefit in Miles City, Montana. (Marilyn is Miss January!) Shortly after completion of the calendar she was diagnosed with acute aggressive lymphoma. She spent three weeks in ICU in Billings receiving intense treatment and is now in the oncology wing, hopeful that she will be able to return home with a good report. She is honored to be an honoree for whom Bob and Marilyn Thaden are especially walking.

To purchase a calendar: Contact Tony Galia at tgalia@midrivers.com or (406) 234-7931 (leave message if no one is home). Or, send $15/calendar plus $4 postage to Rt 1, Box 2345, Miles City, MT 59301.

For those of you familiar with Saint George's School in Spokane, WA, you may have known Deena Barber. Deena sadly passed away this past Tuesday (8/26) from lung failure. She had been a Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor. Lyssa is honored to walk and run in this generous and kind woman's memory.

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8.24.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Ah, it is finally that time again in the training season when I get to say, "Yeah, this weekend is a short run. It's just 12 miles!" I still can't believe that those words would ever come to anyone's mind, much less that I would say them out loud. But there you have it. The body can endure a fair amount of punishment. Yet, I am also reminded that my long miles are nothing compared to chemo. That's why this week I am running for George - our honored teammate from last season, and from many seasons actually. The sight of George at a water stop, him living and breathing still, despite long odds, continues to give me hope. RUN ON! (And, thanks, George!)

8.17.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Some of you may know that last year I ran the Portland marathon with TNT. It was such a moving experience, both for me and for so many people who are searching for some glimmer of hope in the race for a cure for cancer. That's why I am honored to be back this year as co-captain of the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene TNT Team. We are truly changing lives!

However, I will also admit that this has been a difficult season with my mom's recent breast cancer diagnoses. While she continues to maintain a positive outlook, it is emotionally draining to have to do battle yet again. Each day becomes ever more precious.

And, the support of others also becomes even more important. The thoughtfulness of so many of you overwhelms me at times. Please know how grateful we all are...

This week's special thank you goes to the participants of the MSHA Summer Institute. While your donations are not yet reflected here, your generosity made my mom's day. Thank you SO MUCH!

8.10.2008: Blog from Lyssa

This weekend I ran for Curtis - one of this season's Honored Teammates. He just got back the great news from his 6 month checkup - he is currently cancer free. As I shared with the team, this moment - when you get to celebrate the results of the often horrible treatment hoping for a cure - is what we run for. This is what we raise money for. This is why we spread the message. There is hope! And, for Curtis and his family especially, today is a good day. RUN ON!

8.4.2008: Blog from Lyssa

This morning I ran 9 lonely miles on a loop from the bottom of the Billings’ rimrocks, up Zimmerman Trail, along the highway, and back down Airport Road. I have been hanging out at the hospital this weekend (having missed the Team’s Halfway Party), watching my mom slowly recover from her mastectomy surgery. They say that today should be the day that she can go home. Fingers crossed that it will be, and that the journey home and the journey to recovery will be swift. But just what is swift when dealing with cancer and surgery requires new definitions. Thanks for all of your continued support. RUN ON!

7.27.2008: Blog from Lyssa

This weekend was a healing weekend for one of our teammates. She lost her dad to Leukemia several years ago, but hasn’t talked much about it publically. She shared her devastating story with the group today. These are the moments when Team in Training is as much for the participants as those we train for. The people involved in this organization are wonderful caring people, who also happen to be helping to change the world. RUN ON!

7.20.2008: Blog from Lyssa

This was my first weekend back in four weeks, and it was great to see everyone. Before I left, I had apologized to the team in advance for leaving them and asked that they keep doing what they were doing – training hard and raising money. When I left, the Spokane team and the Tri-Cities team had raised about $35,000 together. I am thrilled to report that the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene team alone is now up to $70,000! RUN ON for a cure!

6.15.2008: Blog from Lyssa

This weekend’s post will be my last for a month. I am headed off to the UK for four glorious weeks of travel. However, I must also continue to train (which may prove to be a bit difficult at times – we’ll see…). This is also a sad week, as my feline companion of 11 years herself has contracted a form of fast-growing cancer and we had to say goodbye to her. Whether it is our human friends or our furry critters, cancer is devastating. RUN ON!

6.7.2008: Blog from Lyssa

The rains have been falling in Spokane, and our trails are flooded in places. This creates small obstacles during our runs, along with the pretty chill weather. Regardless, we have quickly climbed to running 5-6 miles already, and it feels good to be back in the rhythm of running and walking. RUN ON!

5.24.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Today was our first team practice. And all I can say is that this is going to be a great season! RUN ON!

5.10.2008: Blog from Lyssa

Today marked the Team in Training Kick Off event. We have almost 50 people registered with our local Team this season. It looks like it very well may be a record year. And, since it is the 20th Anniversary Year of TNT, and TNT believes that we will make it to the $1 billion mark this year, I think a record-breaker would be fantastic. I am already excited about the great energy and enthusiasm that was generated by our volunteer mentors, coaches and participants. And, I am honored to be co-captain of this team. I expect great things will happen! RUN ON for a cure!