Over the course of many rubber chicken lunches, we’ve all heard various presentations about how people are making a small difference to improve our earthly condition.
One such lunch I heard the founder of PF Changs talk about an endurance training program he helped to develop called Team in Training (TNT). Trainers donate their time to help prepare teams of people for events around the country. The participants donate money, they would have paid for a personal trainer to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Like you, family and friends have been impacted by cancer. That, coupled with a personal fitness slide in my 40’s, I committed mentally to participate in TNT when it comes to Albuquerque.
I’ve never really become acquainted with Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma until Megan Vondra, a friend of the family’s, was diagnosed, underwent treatment and is currently in remission from a blood cancer. It is through Megan that I became aware of TNT in Albuquerque and signed up for the June 6th San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.
The day before my first training run with the team, I received an e-mail from a high school friend telling me that one of our friends Pete Johnson was diagnosed with multiple myloma. Interesting that Peter started his chemo treatments the same week that marathon training started. My training and pain pales in comparison to the chemo treatments and life conversations that Megan and Peter know all too well.
How does this include you? As a part of the TNT program, participants are asked to raise money and awareness. Through April 2, 2010 every dollar you donate through my TNT website (http://pages.teamintraining.org/nm/rnr10/tgarrity) or through checks sent to me (made payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) I will match with my personal funds. Gifts are tax deductable. Here is the best part, since 75% of donations go directly toward research and patient services, with my match, 100% of your gift goes toward supporting programs that help Pete, Megan and others in the midst of fighting this disease.
Thanks in advance for your support.