Mentor KAY BRACY Why did you join TNT? When my brother was diagnosed with cancer, our family received help and support from The National Cancer Society.  We relied on the generosity of others and I felt that there was only one way to truly give back.  I chose The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because two of my fellow classmates ran last year.     What is your favorite aspect of TNT?  My favorite aspect would have to be the weekly trainings.  The greatest motivation is knowing that you are never doing anything alone.    How many events have you done with TNT? I have only done 1—the Disney Half Marathon.  What was your most successful fundraising strategy? The most successful strategy was writing letters to people that I knew. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning?  Seeing all of the other people!  What’s your favorite TNT memory? My favorite memory was crossing the finish line with the two women who I trained with—Amy and Kelly.  We held hands as we started the race and as we crossed the finish line.

 

MINDY BERGERON   Why did you join TNT?  Because I can…That may sound silly, but that is really why I joined.  I have two legs that can be used to help find a cure for leukemia.  I also wanted to find the runner trapped inside of me! What is your favorite aspect of TNT?  The support that is the foundation of the whole program.  The TNT staff, coaches, mentors, patient honorees, and other participants make for an incredible experience. How many events have you done with TNT?  So far I’ve completed one event with TNT, but there will be many more to come!!!  I walked (and ran a little) the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Phoenix in January 2007. What was your most successful fundraising strategy?  Aim high, write a great letter, and have fun.  I set my goal to be more than double the minimum amount required.  I wrote a personal fundraising letter and sent it (mail and email) to everyone I knew including business acquaintances (dentist, attorney, doctor, real estate agent, the owner of my mom’s company, etc).  I also planned a vendor fair at my house and the vendors donated a portion of their sales to LLS.  My friend and I made truffles and “crafty” items to sell.   I raised over half of my personal goal that day.  I recommend doing a fundraising event that involves something you enjoy. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning?   Knowing that there will be a group of great people to run or walk with.  And also to be reminded why we are all doing this…to find a cure! What’s your favorite TNT memory?  Crossing the finish line at my first half marathon!!

NICOLE CAEZ Why did you join TNT? My grandmother had lung cancer and I felt like there was nothing I could do. During this time, I received information from TNT and decided that there was something I could do after all. I wanted to raise money for a cause and I thought TNT was a wonderful organization. How many events have you done though TNT? Three. Alaska Half Marathon 2004 Chicago Half Marathon 2005 Chicago Marathon 2005 What was your most successful fundraising strategy? Letter campaign and finding companies that had match.  Also, I am a teacher so letting the school know helped.  I was able to sell the TNT wristbands at school. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? Knowing that all I have to do is run while others are waking up to head to chemo. My Saturday morning task is nothing compared to what others have to face. They do not have a choice. What’s your favorite TNT memory? There are many. I think one of my favorite memories is hearing the Star Spangled Banner right before the Chicago Marathon. It brought tears to my eyes because I was so ready! Being one of 35,000 people with the same goal is amazing!

 

VAUGHAN NESSLAR Why did you join TNT? I got a letter asking if I would like to walk a marathon in Dublin.  With my heritage, no question. How many events have you done with TNT? I’ve done 7 marathons (3 in Chicago, 3 in Dublin, 1 in Bermuda), 1 century ride in Florida, and I raised money for Disney but could not do it  because of an asthma attack. What was your most successful fundraising strategy? Letters, letters, letters.  That has always been my major fundraising.  I did sell some candy when I worked full time but now with part time that won’t work. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? The sense of purpose we get is wonderful.  Not only are we doing something for ourselves but we are making a difference.  What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning?  Guilt!  If I don’t come out I feel that I am letting not only myself down but the whole project.  I am Irish and you know we Irish work well with guilt.  It’s also great seeing everyone and catching up on how everyone is doing.  What’s your favorite TNT memory? Going to a “Rachel is Well” party held by her parents a couple of years after she was my first patient hero.  She is Rachel Ellis.

 

KERI TRAVIS   Why did you join TNT?  I joined TNT because of my Grandma who was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in July 2006.  I wanted to do something more to help her and others who have been effective.  I love to run thought that this would be the best and easiest way for me to help. What is your favorite aspect of TNT?  I love the fact that everyone is participating for the same reason, to help others.  Everyone is always upbeat and supportive of everyone, no one is there to judge. How many events have you done with TNT?  In April I will have done 1 event-The Country Music ½ Marathon.  I will have 2 events under my belt in October when I do the Chicago Marathon. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning?   I come out to see the people.  I find is so much easier to run with a friend and it makes it a lot more fun.  There are days when I just want to sleep but then I think about what I am doing if I don’t go, I am letting myself down and the people that I am doing this for down. What’s your favorite TNT memory?  My favorite memory is completing my longest run ever.  The morning I did that was a rough day for me I was tired and hurting and one of my team mates was so encouraging and got me through.  I felt so good when I was done, I didn’t give up or walk.  I was one step closer to my own personal goal.

 

Oliver Corpuz got involved with TNT to honor his friend Jennifer's daughter, Emily Earl, who was diagnosed with ALL in 2005.  After years of inactivity, Oliver couldn't even go half a mile the first practice.  But with the help and encouragement of the TNT coaches and his teammates, he stuck with the training and successfully completed the 2006 Chicago Marathon.  With TNT, Oliver also completed the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon twice, the Chicago Distance Classic and Nike+ Virtual Half Marathon.  In addition to mentoring, Oliver maintains the www.teamwestisbest.org website. In his freetime when he's not training with TNT, Oliver volunteers as a wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.  He also has been doing magic for over 15 years, and can be found hanging out at Midwest Magic in Franklin Park on most Saturday afternoons.

MORGAN ZAVISKA Why did you join TNT?  When I first started, I didn’t know anyone with leukemia or lymphoma, but I still thought it would be very rewarding to help. But through the course of training in September, my Nana got diagnosed with Multiple Myoloma which is a form of leukemia. She passed away that same month, and that just gave me all the more motivation to get up and run and raise money to find a cure for something that took her away from us way too fast. At about mile 22 I was starting to regret my decision and almost wanted to give up, but remembering my Nana and all the other stories I heard throughout the course of training and the dinner the night before, I knew that a couple hours of hard running for me was nothing compared to what these people went through or are going through. It was such an amazing experience that I recommend to anyone. What is your favorite aspect of TNT?  I think my favorite aspect of TNT is the sense of community and togetherness that everyone has. I didn’t know anyone when I started and I felt kind of out of place, but everyone is very friendly and so encouraging. Everyone is there with the same mind-set and mission, to help people. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning?  I think what motivates me is just thinking about all the people that suffer from these diseases. They go through so much pain and their families do too. Sometimes the runs might be hard, but it is in no comparison to what they go through. So I just keep thinking that I can handle an hour or two or however long it is, of what might be tough for me. This year I will have extra motivation keeping the memory of my Nana with me. She was taken away from us so quickly that I feel I never got the proper chance to say goodbye to her because she was in a coma just 2 or 3 days after they gave her the official diagnosis. I think keeping that in mind and knowing I am doing it to find a cure so other people don’t have to say good bye is what motivates me to keep coming out.  Sometimes it might be hard to think you as one person might be making a difference, but the contribution you make by committing to doing something like this really does make a huge difference and is one of the most rewarding experiences that I would recommend to anyone. After it is all said and done, I didn’t get the time I was hoping for when I ran, but I gained so much more: the experience, the feelings, the sense that I really did make a difference in someone’s life. At first it all seemed a little intimidating and overwhelming and I am not known for having the strongest sense of confidence in myself, but in the end I was proud that I completed such a big task and that I was able to do something so big that I set my mind to. It also seemed so ironic to me that I joined and was lucky enough to say I hadn’t known anyone that had leukemia or had been taken by it, and a month and a half before the race, we found out about my Nana. It was sort of bittersweet in a way because I was so sad when she passed away, but that day I knew she was with me and helped me make it through the marathon. She was so supportive of me when she was here and she still is now that she’s looking down on me, it just means a lot more.

Mentor MEGHAN WALLACE   "If you have a good attitude and a willingness to try, and if you believe you can do it, you will!  No doubt about it – YOU WILL!!  Thanks for joining the team!   Why did you join TNT? I joined TNT looking for something or someway to help otherswhile also focusing on my own health and fitness, I also really wanted to meet likeminded individuals in my area. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? Shockingly, I love the group trainings!  It is great to hang out and meet all the people on the team, plus the workouts are more challenging when someone is watching you (haha!), yet also easier to do because it’s so much more fun to do things with the team.  (Even things, you may think you hate!)  Being out there with the support of your coaches and all of these people who are trying to achieve the same goal, make doing things that are hard much more rewarding and manageable than I can fully explain.  It is a great feeling! (Especially when you are finished!)   What was your most successful fundraising strategy? I have had many successful campaigns such as using coin boxes, writing letters to everyone I know, and the online website.  I have a tagline on all of my emails that leads people to my site, which gets a lot of hits!  I am also writing a blog, which lots of people read and sometimes forward to their friends and it also leads to my website.  I am in the process of setting up 2 fundraising events, which I hope will go very well (a party and a comedy show). Mass reminder update emails work really, really well to keep you in people’s thoughts, and talking about the mission at any opportunity has also been extremely successful for me.  Talk to strangers!  It works!   What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? I really enjoy coming to the morning trainings!  It’s my favorite!  I especially feel motivated by the mission moments, which are updates and personal stories about the people we are waking up to help, people suffering from the blood cancers.  I’ve also found that it helps to carpool, if you can.  You wouldn’t want to let another person down, plus it saves on gas money!  The connections you make with your teammates also keeps me coming back, it makes you want to roll out of bed to see them!  We have fun!   What’s your favorite TNT memory? I haven’t run my races yet, and I’m sure those memories will ultimately be my best.  Right now the best thing I have experienced was meeting my patient honoree Emily at her fundraising party.  She was so happy, and her face just lit up when she realized there were so many people running for her, and thinking of her.  She thanked me for fighting cancer, which meant the world to me.  For someone to be so brave at 5 years old and to thank me for running a little race…  Amazing!!

Mentor JOE GOLMINAS Why did you join TNT? I wanted to complete my first marathon. My sister had completed her first marathon thru TEAM the year before I joined. So I knew the coaches would get me to the finish line. Raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society just made it that much more rewarding. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? My favorite aspect is the great people that you meet and the friends that you make. How many events have you done with TNT? The 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon was my first event with TEAM but certainly not my last. What was your most successful fundraising strategy? The letters was easily the most successful fundraising strategy. My garage sale was also very successful. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? I enjoy it. It is so much easier and so much fun running with the group. What’s your favorite TNT memory? CROSSING THE FINISH LINE!!! “I joined TNT to fulfill my goal of completing my first marathon. I returned to TNT as a mentor because I believe in their cause.”

 

Mentor AMY FLINT Why did you join TNT? I really joined TNT just to test their claim that they could train anyone to run a marathon. I was definitely not a runner and didn’t expect to become one. I was also excited about the prospect of meeting new people and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, which was very “homebody” oriented. Although, what truly pushed me over the edge and made me hand over my $50, was what I learned about Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? Despite what you may feel when you have to get out of bed at 5:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. run, there are so many great things about TNT that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one. First, there are the incredible people you meet out on the path and within the organization. I was amazed at how many of these people became my friends during training and remained my friends after the event was over. Then, there’s the inspiration you feel when you meet a real person who is being directly helped by the fundraising you’re doing or you hear a story about a family struggling with the affects of cancer and you realize how blessed you are to be healthy and strong, especially when you’ve never thought of your self as those things before. And, of course, there’s the encourage you get all along the way that you can finish your race – even when you don’t believe it. The faith the team has in your ability to rise to the occasion and the day when you realize that they’re right – you can do this – is the unexpected gift you’ll receive from your experience with TNT. What was your most successful fundraising strategy? It’s all about the letters, e-mails and postcards. Contact EVERYBODY you know. Give sob stories to you family. Ask for donations in lieu of birthday gifts. Send letters to your doctor, dentist, hair dresser, realtor, mortgage broker, in other words, everyone you know. Put signs on your desk at work. Don’t be afraid to contact folks you don’t think will give. They may surprise you. Speaking of work, the very first thing you should do is find out if your company has a matching contribution plan. If yes, take advantage of it early. Approvals can sometimes take a long time to come through. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? I didn’t want to let me running partners down. That was really what got me through a lot of sleepy mornings. It also got to the point where I would dream about running and I’d wake up and realize I really wanted to run that day. Now, I won’t say that I wasn’t nervous before every long run. I’d get butterflies in my stomach and I’d worry that I wasn’t going to finish. But, I always did and usually had fun doing it. I did have more than one bad day where my legs hurt and I was struggling, but there was always a team member willing to run with me and help me through the day.  What’s your favorite TNT memory? My favorite memory was definitely event day. I was so nervous before the race start. I did not feel prepared. I knew I would finish, I just didn’t know what shape I would be in when I crossed the finish line. It turned out to be the most fun I’ve ever had. It was a hoot and a great learning experience for the next race. Remind me and I’ll tell you just exactly how important it is to go to the bathroom several times before the run starts. It’s a great story. “Whatever your reason for joining TNT, you’re in for an incredible journey. Many of you have probably joined because you have somehow been directly affected by a blood-related cancer. If that is your situation, this is the best support group you could ever find. TNT does great work for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but it does wonders for those willing to become team members. Just like everything in life, you’ll get out of Team in Training whatever you put into it. I encourage you to commit yourself to the team. You’ll never regret it.”

 

Mentor SUE MCGUIRE Why did you join TNT? I joined TNT to help raise money in memory of my friend Carol who passed away after a long battle with non-hodgkins lymphoma. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? The friendships I have made and the team spirit at the practices and events. The mentors, coaches and staff are very supportive. How many events have you done with TNT? One- ½ marathon in Phoenix. I’m planning on running in the Chicago marathon. What was your most successful fundraising strategy? I started making girls hair bows and selling them to my friends. It has become a business and I continue to donate 50% to charity. I also hosted a spa night for my girlfriends. We had massages and I split the massage fee with the masseuse who was on our team. 100% went to our cause. She took $20 and so did I. It was great. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? The friends that I’ve made! I also realized that this little sacrifice is easy compared to what my friend Carol went through during her treatment. It’s my way of giving back! What’s your favorite TNT memory? Hearing a mission moment at a Saturday training from a mother who just lost her son. It was amazing to see her courage in the midst of tragedy. She motivated me to train harder so we wouldn’t have to hear from anymore mothers who lost children to this horrible disease.   "I am a new runner and I just finished my first race. If I can get motivated after having two kids, then anyone can do this. Being part of TNT has changed my life.  Selfishly it has helped me lose weight and get in shape. I also love being part of this team who has so much power to make changes in cancer research. Overall it is great!"

 

Mentor ADRIANA OLLECH Why did you join TNT? My father passed away from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 10 years ago.  I wanted to do something in his honor. How many events have you done with TNT? I have finished 2 marathons and one triathlon. What was your most successful fundraising strategy?  Letters. I raise almost all my money that way. I have also had luck with raffles. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning?   Meeting up with my fellow TEAM mates. What’s your favorite TNT memory?  Saturday morning runs on the lakefront!

JACQUI DIMARCO   Why did you join TNT? My next door neighbor along with a friend’s daughter has (had) leukemia.  I wanted to do something to honor them. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? The Alaska marathon was a life changing event for me.  I met so many people that were all fighting to get to a common goal – to find a cure for leukemia. What was your most successful fundraising strategy? Letter writing campaign.  I had no idea so many people would donate if I asked. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? A marathon is nothing in comparison to the treatments that a child with leukemia has to go through. What’s your favorite TNT memory? I met a little boy that was recovering from leukemia.  He was 10 years old, full of life.

 

CONCETTA MALASEK Why did you join TNT? I lost my cousin in 1999 to Hodgkin's that turned into Leukemia- we were 6 months apart in age and grew up together.  I never knew about the society until a friend of mine started training.  I wasn’t ready at that time.  I’ve always wanted to do something in his memory.  I finally did something last year by raising money for the society and wearing his picture proudly during the Chicago Marathon.  I want to help prevent other families from going through the same experience we did. How many events have you done with TNT? Two—the Chicago 1/2 in 2005 and the Chicago Distance Classic in 2006.  What was your most successful fundraising strategy? Letter writing to EVERYONE – friends, family and those that didn’t know me, but who knew my cousin, who I was honoring.  I also sold Tupperware. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? My favorite thing about TNT...hard to say.  There are too many things.  The LLS staff, the TNT coaches, the people you meet.  From start to finish, I was impressed by everything and everyone.  The coaches were all so supportive and believed in us from the start.  My fellow participants were so encouraging and fun.  And, crossing the finish line was really cool! What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? Knowing that it’s such a small sacrifice compared to what the patients and their families have to go through. What’s your favorite TNT memory? Meeting some of the patient honorees and crossing that finish line!!

 

Mentor SUE EKKEBUS Why did you join TNT? I joined TNT while my son, Bob, was being treated for a bone marrow failure disease-Severe Aplastic Anemia. I read the brochure at the Clinic where he was being treated and also met many patients and families who were dealing with Leukemia. Our doctor had also instructed us that leukemia is sometimes a side effect of Severe Aplastic Anemia.  I also had direct experience with leukemia, as my Uncle Bob had battled it, my Dad’s cousin Gretel had died of it in Germany, and our dear backyard neighbor Michelle had also fought it and won, only to die of a complication from it. What is your favorite aspect of TNT? My favorite aspect is the knowledge that in my little way, I am making a difference in the fight against leukemia and lymphoma. I am fundraising and spreading the word about TNT and the LLS all the time. I also enjoy the true team spirit and friendship that I feel with everyone else who is participating in this worthwhile endeavor. What was your most successful fundraising strategy? My personal most successful strategy was the letter-writing campaign. Between my letter, my website and reminder postcards, I was able to almost fundraise the whole amount. What motivates you to come out to trainings at 8am on a Saturday morning? I am motivated by my Teammates and their enthusiasm for the cause. I am motivated by my Patient Honoree and knowing what she went through was much more than a marathon. When my alarm goes off at 6:15am (or 5:15 am when we switch to an earlier start time) the word that pops into my mind and gets me going is simply: TEAM! What’s your favorite TNT memory? My favorite memories would have to be the contagious enthusiasm I feel at the pre-race pasta parties and the exhilaration I feel along the race course when people call out to me “Go Team!” It’s so exciting to meet people from across the country during the races that are also participating for the Team. Of course, crossing the finish line proudly is a big highlight! Team in Training has been such a POSITIVE experience in my life, and I will be happy to participate in it as both a mentor and a marathoner for a long time to come!

Are you a West TEAM TNT Alumni?  Email oliver@teamwestisbest.org with your picture and bio and he'll post it on the Alumni Page.

Pictured above is Laura Labrador and her beautiful daughter enthusiastically cheering her on after she successfully finished the 2006 Chicago Marathon. Laura is looking forward to the 2007 Fall Season.