Team In Training Texas Gulf Coast: Houston Marathon Weekend

"You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live." Stuart Scott

On January 18, our local TNT participants hit the streets of Houston on a mission: to wipe out blood cancer. So far this season, they have raised $186,500 and that number will continue to climb as many donations are still pouring in.

This weekend was filled with passion, energy, laughter, tears, and lots of love. There were so very many amazing stories from our participants. Blood cancer survivors were out running and coaching. Friends and family were running in honor or memory of loved ones. Beating blood cancer is a long, tough journey just like a marathon. And when we work together as a TEAM to conquer these diseases, we get closer to the finish line a lot faster.

The weekend began with the TNT Inspiration Dinner at the Four Seasons with good food, silent auction, and excellent guest speakers. Melissa Wilson of Fox 26 in Houston spoke along with her husband David and son Caleb who is currently in treatments for leukemia. Melissa told us all that she is continually reminded that her son's battle against leukemia is not a sprint, but a marathon. She recognized the fact that treatments and long term survival rates have dramatically improved over the past couple of decades thanks to research.

Amanda Payne, Texas Gulf Coast TNT Director, recognized our top individual and team fundraisers. The funds raised by our participants go into the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society- to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The evening ended with the top fundraising team award which went to Team Super Sue. Will, Rachel and Rebekah Van Natta, Sue's family, spoke about one of our all time top individual fundraisers Sue Van Natta who raised $100,000 for TNT. In August 2010, Sue (affectionately known as "Super Sue") died after a 5-month battle against breast cancer, but her legacy lives on through her family and friends.

Coaches and participants got up early Sunday morning and headed to the start line of the Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon. It was a beautiful day. Several of our participants ran fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon! Our amazing coaches were out all day cheering and running alongside participants to encourage them to keep moving forward.

One of our participants, Ashley McCamant, was featured throughout the morning on Channel 13. She is a local nurse who years ago donated her bone marrow to a baby girl named Anna. Ashley and Anna's dad Tom ran the half marathon together. You can see part of Channel 13's interview with Ashley HERE.

We would love to hear from all of you! Your inspirational stories give us hope. You help light the fire of passion in us on staff at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thank you for taking the time to raise awareness and funds to wipe out blood cancers! In the famous words of Helen Keller, "alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." Thank you for coming together as a TEAM to pound the streets of Houston. GO TEAM!!!