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Baltimore Woman Inspired to Tri in Honor of Mom's Cancer Battle

The grueling treatments taught her mother a thing or two about endurance. Now Katie is taking on a physical challenge of a different sort: The Nation's Triathlon to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society inWashington, D.C. on September 14, 2008.

Katie has been training for the past four months with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program, the world's largest endurance sports training and fundraising program. In return for the personalized coaching and a supportive group of teammates, she is raising money for critical blood cancer research.

Katie says that the multi-sport aspect of the triathlon appeals to her. She is not alone. The sport has grown in popularity -- in fact, USA Triathlon, the governing body of the sport, reports 20 percent growth in the sport per year over the past seven years. More than 700 Team In Training participants from around the country will be among the 3,500 athletes participating in the 2008 Nation's Triathlon. All funds raised will support research seeking cures for blood cancer.

"Taking on a physical challenge makes me feel like I'm taking action in the face of this terrible disease, and Team In Training helps me to reach my goal," Katie says. "TNT also reminds me that new medical discoveries are being made all the time to fight cancer. And TNT reminds me that there are positive, inspirational people out there united by a common goal to find cures."

Since Team In Training began in 1988, more than 380,000 participants have raised more than $900 million through TNT to help LLS fund research to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and provide critical education and support services to patients and their families. Participants have the option of running or walking a full or half marathon, cycling a 100-mile century ride or completing a triathlon. In addition to weekly training sessions under the guidance of a certified coach, TNT offers clinics on nutrition, equipment, injury prevention and safety. Participants are also given tools to help them fundraise. LLS arranges airfare and lodging to send participants to the event of their choice.

It's marathon season and it's not too late to sign up for the winter season of Team In Training, with marathons at Walt Disney World andPhoenix, Arizona. On Saturday, September 6 at 9 a.m. at the Hard Rock Cafe, 601 E. Pratt St. #2, in downtownBaltimore, the Maryland Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will host a kick-off for the winter season. Teammates will get to meet each other and their coaches, and hear inspirational speeches from patient honorees. Prospective participants are welcome to attend an information session at 8 a.m. Visit www.teamintraining.org/md

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered inWhite Plains, NY, with 68 chapters inthe United States andCanada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $600 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, LLS made 6.3 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the LLS Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Contact: Andrea Greif, 914-821-8958, andrea.greif@lls.org

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society