Welcome to my Team In Training (TNT) Fundraising Page
Once again I have decided to take on the challenge of fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) while training for a half marathon with the Team In Training Program. TNT participants raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. Out of the funds I raise 75% will go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for research grants & education, patient services, information resources, peer counselling, financial aid and community outreach while 25% will be used for administration expenses.

Please take a moment to read my connection to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and see why I have joined TNT for a third time.

In 1992, I lost my grandmother to Acute Leukemia. She was diagnosed in late 1991 and after a courageous five month fight with several rounds of chemotherapy and blood transfusions she lost her battle. I was only 17 when I lost her and I often wonder how life would have been different if she were here to see me grow up, graduate high school & university and start my career. From my personal experience you can see that Leukemia can take a loved one very quickly and I want to do my part to help prevent it from taking any more lives.

In August 2011 I began my journey with TNT as a participant, however, over the past few years I have also volunteered for events and mentored TNT participants. Though the different seasons and events I have met many amazing people who have shared their stories of how cancer has affected their lives.

Two of the most memorable moments are:

In my first season I was out doing change bandits with my team and a car stopped to ask what we were raising money for. My response was for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The lady replied, “I am just coming from my doctors and I was just diagnosed with Leukemia”. As you can imagine, I was a little dumbfounded and gathered my thoughts and replied, “We are doing this for you”.

In my second season my teammate and I were about at 16kms into our half marathon when a lady passed us and said “thank you”. My first thought was we must have moved out of her way, until she stopped in front of us and said “you are the reason I am here today and able to run this half marathon. Keep doing what you do.”

Running doesn’t come easy for me as both of my knees are filled with arthritis; however, I train at my own pace and run at the speed I can manage for a 21.1 km race. I have already started my pre-run training and will begin formal training schedule in September and I will continue to train until my event in January. As you can imagine it is not an easy task to start any training program especially one outdoors in the fall & winter weather. I run for those who can’t in hopes to raise awareness and raise funds to help find a cure.

I will be running in memory of a wonderful woman who I love and miss dearly, my nanny, Beatrice Jane Knock and in memory and in honor of all those affected by cancer.

I am counting on your generous support to help me achieve my goal of $4200.
With each dollar raised I hope we are closer to finding a cure so we can one day put a stop to losing our loved ones to cancer.

Please visit my page regularly to see my progress.
Thanks for your support!

Tara