Your generosity is the fuel for a cancer patient’s journey

March 13, 2010 Week # 5
Your generosity in the form of encouragement, support, and monetary contributions is the fuel for a cancer patient’s journey.
Many thanks again for your donations! Your support makes my training and fundraising lighter and brings hope to those with blood cancers. To my anonymous contributors, I send you my love and gratitude. For those who have promised to contribute, please don’t forget…many are counting on your support.

It was a lovely 69 degrees at Kennedy Park this morning at 6:15. It was good not to have to dress in layers. Coach Joe and the walking team did another six miles today! It felt really good Today’s entry is short because I have lots of housework to catch up on :)
This photo was taken last month on our first day of training. Dominic Clay, our honored teammate is at the back with his dad.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."- Confucius

This photo of the Rickerbacker Causeway was taken in 2009

Week 4

My friend Shanti picked me up at 5:45 this morning! It was 50 degrees at Kennedy Park when we arrived at 6:15, but it felt like 40!! This South Floridian was dressed in three layers! Our walking group started off at 6:30 sharp to cover a distance of six miles in the cool, crisp morning air. We walked to our “Miami Hill”, the Rickenbacker Causeway, but did not go over the bridge- our goal was to touch it and turn around. I removed one layer of clothing at the bridge and just held it in my hand. Fortunately for me, I did not have to carry it back because Lisa, our running coach took it from me to make sure that I kept good form while walking! I also wore my fuel belt today- I thought it was going to be a bother, but soon after I took off, I forgot that it was even there. Today’s training was followed by an Injury Prevention Clinic. After listening to the Physical Therapist, one thing I know for sure, I’ve got to take care of these weak knees!

Our training ended today on a very high note…Karina, one of our teammates reported that her young friend for whom she is running just went into remission from her blood cancer! What wonderful and blessed news. My readers, Karina and all us at Team In Training thank you for your support and your generous donations. Thanks again to all who have already contributed to my fundraising goal. Many thanks to all who have shared my web page with your family, friends, and colleagues. Let’s all continue to raise awareness and money to fund research for a cure...one step at a time, one mile at a time.

Dominic Clay: Our Honored Teammate

On August 22, 2007, shortly after his 3rd birthday, Dominic was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Surgery was scheduled the following day to place the central line medi-port in his chest which would allow the doctors to administer IV fluids and chemo directly to his main artery. The very next day Dominic began his 3-1/2 year chemotherapy treatment. The first 7 months of treatment were very tough on him. He received daily does of oral chemo, weekly lumbar punctures to administer chemo (similar to a spinal tap), and various cycles of steroids. After the first 7 intense months, Dominic shifted into the maintenance phase of treatment. While the maintenance portion of his treatment is somewhat less intense, it is still very aggressive and he still deals with some nasty side effects.
Throughout this challenge, Dominic has shown all of us his strength and resiliency in dealing with leukemia. He continues to inspire his family, friends, and supporters by always maintaining a positive attitude and letting us know what it truly means to be a survivor. His team of doctors, nurses, and specialists are amazed at his energy and enthusiasm during his visits and his genuine care and concern for everyone at Miami Children’s Hospital. We truly feel blessed to have Dominic as a part of our lives and have him as an honored teammate.
Today, 2 years after diagnosis, Dominic is by all outward appearances a normal, rambunctious 5 year old. We couldn’t be happier! His hobbies include various sports such as soccer, baseball and basketball. He loves riding his razor scooter and bike and is in the process of learning to ride his skateboard. He also loves anything to do with trains (model trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, train rides) and would probably consider his favorite place in the world to be the Gold Coast Railroad Museum down in South Miami. He is also a wonderful big brother to his two little sisters showing them nothing but love. Barring any major setbacks, Dominic’s treatment will end in November 2010.
Thanks for all of your support…go TEAM!!

The Clay Family
Michael & Genevieve
Dominic, Luciana, & Evelynn

"The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." ~~Robert Frost

February 27, 2010

I don’t believe that Robert Frost was talking about an endurance event when he penned these words in his poem! I’m quoting Frost in today’s post because those whose lives are afflicted with blood cancers have “miles and miles” of hardship that they must endure before going into remission. Research funding is needed to increase the survival rate and find a cure- thanks to all who have contributed toward my goal; you are helping me keep my promise to LLS to raise awareness and money to fund research! To my anonymous donors: I have no way to expressing my gratitude except through this blog, so I hope you are reading this entry.

This morning marked week #3 of our training. It was 50 degrees when I arrived at Kennedy Park at 6:30 AM! Our team consists of individuals at different stages of athletic abilities, but one thing we all certainly have in common is SPIRIT! Everyone was cheerful and just ready to start off our hour of training. I walked with Coach Joe and another teammate and when the time was up, I felt like I could have gone on walking for another hour. Yeah, I’m building stamina! I’m working on skill. Skill? One needs skill to walk? Oh yes, we do!!!

Please continue to visit my web page (see link on right) to track the progress of my fundraising goal! The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is counting on your generosity. Little Dominic(our honored teammate)and all others diagnosed with blood cancers are counting on you.

"For it is in giving that we receive" ~ St. Francis of Assisi~

February 20, 2010 (week 2)
The team gathered once again at Kennedy Park at 6:45 A.M for our second day of team training. It was not as cold as last week and that was a huge plus for me. We started off with warm ups and running/walking techniques. Next, we broke off into our groups for 45 minutes of walking/running. I walked at a brisk pace for the time we were out there-it was truly a beautiful morning for walking.
The Disney Princess Marathon Team welcomed us back in with cheers and hoots; Mica even rang his school bell for us!

Coach Scott shared with us a beautiful e-mail from someone who lost his 34 year old friend and brother-in-law to blood cancer. The story he shared reminded me again that I am blessed to be given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who are afflicted with blood cancers…please join me in raising awareness and money to fund research that will one day wipe out these diseases. Won’t you please?

My sincere thanks to all those who have already donated to toward my goal.

First Day of Training

February 13
It was perhaps 47 degrees this morning when I met my team at 6:45 at Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove! Now, this is cold weather for us South Floridians! Most of us donned our sweaters over our training t-shirt and that was fine, but not for me. I had to borrow Ryan’s thick “up north” sweater to keep me warm. Thanks Ryan! Everyone was in great spirits and rearing to go, but we couldn't begin without doing our warm ups. I can’t remember the last time I did jumping jacks- thank goodness we only had to do 15. We broke off into three team- continuous runners, interval runners, and walkers. My team consisted of another walker and Coach Joe. Have you ever met anyone who has walked over 20 marathons? Well, I did and he is Coach Joe! I am delighted to be starting this endurance event with him. We did a total of 30 minutes of walking today- I kept a walking pace of just about 16 minutes per mile.

Our training was followed by a conversation with Mike Clay, the father of our honored teammate, Dominic. After listening to Mike speak about his Kindergarten son (who also came out to see us), I once again reiterated to myself that every single dollar I raise for this event helps toward a cure for blood cancers. Thanks to Coach Lisa for the heartwarming close to our first training day.

Friends, family, readers…please take a few minutes to contribute toward my fundraising campaign and share my web page and the TNT web page with others. Thanks for your support!

Kick Off!

February 6


Today we had our kick-off event at Dave and Busters in Hollywood. I got to meet some of my teammates and received vital information for our first group training, next Saturday. There were several speakers at the event, but the most touching words came from Franklin, a young boy, a cancer survivor. Franklin wishes that no child ever has to go through chemotherapy or battle cancer. He wishes that someday there will be no more Team In Training, for if TNT ceases to exist, then we’ve found a cure for blood cancers.

The honored teammate for the Dade training team is 5 year old Dominic Clay. Dominic was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on August 22, 2007, shortly after his 3rd birthday. Dominic has gone through aggressive treatment since his diagnosis, and barring any major setbacks, his treatment will end in November of 2010.

This week I walked only one day. I blame it on the cough I picked up at the beginning of the week. Serious- I’m not making excuses! I’ll make up for it next week

Thanks again to all who donated toward my fundraising campaign and also to those who pledged to contribute. I’ve received many, many encouraging words since I joined TNT on January 23rd…keep sending me your positive thoughts!