Welcome to my Team In Training home page

In January 2010, I completed the Walt Disney World Half Marathon with the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society’s “Team In Training” organization and my life was never the same. From that moment I was hooked; not only “addicted” to running half marathons, but more importantly to helping this amazing organization raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma , myeloma and other blood cancers from affecting/taking any more lives than they already have. I then ran the 2010 Long Island Half Marathon, followed by the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in 2011 with Team In Training.

This year I have set my sights on a bigger goal – the Walt Disney World FULL Marathon (26.2 miles!) on January 12, 2014! I will be training with Team In Training to complete this event, one that is truly on the top of my bucket list. Not only will I be preparing to accomplish a very important life goal, but since I will be doing it with Team In Training, I will be raising much-needed money to once again support the fight against Leukemia and other blood cancers.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life. Ten years ago, the survival rate for children with Leukemia was 80%; today it is 90%. With your help, in 10 more years it can be 100%!!! You and I can help make a difference in the lives of others who surely need it!

In the past, I have completed my TNT events in honor/memory of Vinny "Moots" Ruggiero, who fought Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for approximately 6 years, ultimately losing his battle in April 2010. In January 2014, I will once again run in memory of this wonderful man, but unfortunately I will have another name to add to the back of my TNT singlet: Chris Schroeder. Chris was a fun-loving, energetic, happy-go-lucky teenager who was diagnosed in August 2011 with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and bravely battled his disease for nearly two years before passing away this past June 4 2013, just a few weeks shy of his class’s high school graduation. The bowling alley was a place where Chris especially shined, joining Valley Stream South H.S.'s varsity team in 7th grade. As a sophomore, his final year on the team, he had a 201 average and was name to the All-County Team. On Memorial Day 2013, just 8 days before his passing, Chris was sworn in as a member of the Valley Stream Fire Department. He miraculously found the strength to enjoy a full day of activities, noting it was the best day of his life. In his sister Keri's words, "Chris had an infectious smile, a very warm heart, and the ability to always make others laugh. He will never be forgotten by his family, friends and community."

Vinny and Chris, and their families, were cheated out of precious time and memories with their loved ones because of this horrible disease. LLS/Team In Training’s goal is to try to ensure that nobody else feel this heartache; that nobody else have to miss a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, or friend, like Vinny and Chris were to so many people. Although they are gone, they are forever in our hearts, and I am proud to run with their names on my back as a tribute to the amazing people they were, and the amazing legacies of theirs that lives on through their families.

I understand in these economic times that money is tight, but if there is any way you can donate even $1 to me for this cause, I, along with Vinny & Chris’s families, as well as the millions of other people affected by Leukemia/Lymphoma and other blood diseases, will be forever grateful.

Please make whatever donation you can to support my participation in the Walt Disney World Marathon & do your part to help save lives!

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support as I strive to reach this very important goal!

If you are interested in seeing more about what I am talking about & TNT's dedication to raising money to fight blood cancers, specifically at the WDW Marathon, check out this short video from 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiFn4H-x2z0