One Step at a Time, One Mile at a Time
By Gwen Romeo
The most inspiring heroes that join the TNT family are the patients and survivors who remind us about the importance of the mission. Karl Kaufman is a blood cancer survivor and he has joined the NC Chapter for his 13th TNT event to train for the Disney World Marathon weekend in January of 2012. He recently moved to Charlotte from Washington, DC for a new job with Bank Of America. Karl is the second highest fundraiser that the National Capitol Area (NCA) Chapter in Washington, DC, has ever seen, raising over $125,000 collectively from his previous events. Karl was involved in many programs over the years with the NCA Chapter including Light The Night and VP of the LLS Board of Trustees.
In January 2005 Karl was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and there is no recognized cure for the disease. In November of 2005 Karl was able to participate in a clinical trial that was testing the use of two antibodies to treat lymphoma. Thanks to the clinical trials Karl never had to experience chemotherapy. One of the antibodies, Rituxin, is a drug that was made possible by the efforts of LLS. A benefit to the antibody treatment is the lack of noticeable side effects. Karl trained for his very first marathon with TNT while undergoing treatment!
Since there is no cure for follicular lymphoma there is a chance that Karl will relapse someday. This is why the work TNT does is so important! This program not only saves the lives of cancer patients and their families, but it also marks a turning point in the lives of participants when they realize that their efforts are making an impact on the world. TNT offers a chance to be a part of a team, to become a leader, to be inspired and to encourage others. There is a popular phrase amongst the TNT community that helps put everything into perspective. “Training for an endurance event will never compare to the treatments a cancer patient has to endure. We will take it one step at a time and one mile at a time until a cure has been found.”
Teams are forming now all across the state of North Carolina. From the coast to the mountains, participants have the chance to join a team for the experience of a lifetime. Visit www.teamintraining.org/nc for information meetings in your area and to find your local staff contacts.
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Gwen Romeo is a Campaign Coordinator for Team In Training which is a fundraising program for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team in Training trains beginners all the way up to seasoned athletes for endurance events like triathlons, marathons, half marathons and cycling events. In exchange for an expense free event weekend our participants raise money for blood cancer research. I feel truly blessed to help others as they start their own TNT journey!
