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44 Replies Last post: Nov 15, 2008 5:46 PM by CrazyKen

Why did you join Team in Training?

Oct 23, 2007 1:34 PM

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

Hi Name is Ken,

I am with the TNT Team in Melbourne FL., I work out of country allot but I love my Team and what they stand for. God bless you all!

The first year I joined Team in Training was in 2005 to raise money by running the 26.2 run (the Disney World Marathon). It was because my sister Karan called me and let me know she had Leukemia, I did not know what to do to help; I tried to become a donor but was not able to, then I learned about Team In Training (TNT) and how they raise money to help people with leukemia and the research to fined a cure, then I joined. And it was painful but with the help of the coaches I made it.

Then the second year I was not going to do it again but Karan had a fall back, so I jump on a flight back home to see her on 17 June 2006 and she ask me if I was going to do it again. I promised I would and 10 hours later she died.
She finally got to see me run with all the angels in heaven. They must have had a good laugh a 243 lb man running 26.2 miles, but I made it again this time with the help of my cusin Carla and her daughter two angels from Michagan. Again the pain I made it and we raised $3000.00 with the help allot of people giving what ever they could.
This year I found myself with a work schedule that would not let me run it, so I said (well I can’t). Then one night while I was running I was thinking about Karan and I thought I heard something, it was like god was talking to me. It said Karan is gone, But what about all the others? All the others out there with blood cancer are you going to not do something for them, what about the little kids.

So I called my manager and he told me we would work it out so I could have the time off to run for the others and that is why I am it again and again that others may live.
Goddard said: "It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dreams of yesterday are the hopes of today, and the realities of tomorrow."
We can do this ! Thank You

Tags: tnt, why, i, love

VictoriaMarie86 7 posts since
Nov 11, 2007

1. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Nov 11, 2007 9:31 PM

I joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training
program in honor of my boyfriend, Dan. Dan was diagnosed with acute myelogenous
leukemia (AML) a year and a half ago and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone
marrow transplant. Throughout his many
stays in the hospital, Dan’s strength and endurance have always shined. With a big smile that never seems to fade,
Dan is truly my hero.

I love him so much, I have no idea what I would do without him in my life! Whenver I have a bad day, it can never be bad as his!

Victoria, Chicago, IL

GoofyRunner 8 posts since
Oct 20, 2007

2. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Nov 13, 2007 9:53 PM

Hey Ken, we sound similar in that I also joined when my sister was diagnosed with Leukemia. After the first (also Disney) I promised her I would run again if she promised to be there to cheer me on. Turns out she wound up in the hospital receiving my stem cells during that 2nd marathon (actually marathon and a half, the Goofy Challenge) and passed away shortly thereafter. My last promise to her was to keep doing this until either we beat the cancer or my legs give out, which I won't let happen.

I also have a similar fav quote, by Walt Disney "It's kind of fun to do the impossible"

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

3. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Nov 15, 2007 11:41 AM

in response to: VictoriaMarie86

Hi Victoria,

Dan is truly and hero and he is lucky to have a wonderful woman next to him that loves and gives him cheer. You are the one that puts that smile on his face. The treatments are hard, harder than anything we could train for. But the love you give to him and your drive to stop this thing that try's to take our love ones from us, gives him hope. For a wise man said: "It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dreams of yesterday are the hopes of today, and the realities of tomorrow."

Killing this Cancer of the blood is not impossible, it is becoming a reality with each step we take and with each dollar we raise. We as a Team can Achieve this.

Thank you for being a HERO and for making dreams and hopes become Realities!

CrazyKen Melbourne, FL

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

4. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Nov 15, 2007 12:16 PM

in response to: GoofyRunner

Hi Mike,

Yes we are alike and I am sorry for your lose, I wrote this letter last year to all my friends after I lose my sister. Some of my friends tell me isn't it embarrassing to ask for money, and I say NO! I would gladly give up my pride to save a life. I don't care what people think of me or if they think it is impossible, Because I know it is not impossible.

Hi this is Ken Richardson,

Let me ask you a Question.

If someone or in my case something killed your Brother, Sister, Mother, Father, or Kid. What would you do?

On 18 June 2006 at 0300 Leukemia Killed my sister. I watched my Mom cry as she tried to think of how to stop this and Dad hands shake as he saw his daughter dieing before him and there was nothing he could do. I thought about my little girl and what she means to me, Then I stop thinking about myself and I felt this pain that my dad must have been feeling; it was the worst thing I could ever feel or think of happening (this was his baby girl) and for this to happen on Fathers day. I could not say a word, I could stop their pain, I couldn't do anything. But there is something I can do and something you can do. Help me fight this war against Blood Cancer. So please help save a life.I am fighting to kill it or stop it from killing anymore and you can help.

Yes This Is A Chain Letter! However This is your chance to save lives!

Chain letters = Chain letters are a waste of time unless you are doing something useful or helpful for others; they don't being you good luck or bad luck. If you want to be useful or helpful then send this out to everyone you know. Not 5 people, not 10 people; but everyone you know.

Thanks Again Mike for we have both made the same promise, I cry sometimes when I run, but not because of any pain of my own. It is for the pain that others are having, the real hero's; the ones going through the treatments and that are so strong smiling at us and telling us it is going to be alright.

BarryB 7 posts since
Nov 19, 2007

5. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Jan 6, 2008 10:59 AM

I joined because I needed to do something positive after my sister was diagnosed with CML.

6 years later we are still here, because my sister is a Gleevec patient doing great.

and because of folks like Crazy Ken

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

6. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Jan 6, 2008 9:29 PM

in response to: BarryB

Barry,

GOD BLESS YOU; FOR YOU HAVE TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLE AT SOME MANY POINTS. I KNOW YOU GET TIRED OF HEARING IT. BUT WE ALL MEAN IT! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE PUSHING US TO TRAIN, FOR ENDURING COLD/HOT/RAINING/WINDING EARILY MORNING SATURDAYS , FOR HELPING US ACHIEVIE WHEN PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE TOO TIRED TO MAKE IT AND FOR MAKING LIFE MATTER.

SATURDAY I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY, BUT IT WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO A PERSON WITH CANCER HAS OR A FAMILY MEMBER HAS.

THANKS AGAIN! GO TEAM!!!

KEN

KDurr22 1 posts since
Jan 15, 2008

7. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Jan 15, 2008 1:23 PM

Ken,

Well it looks like it won't be hard to keep in touch after all. I got your phone number and now your TNT site, so looks like we can be together in this fight against blood cancer for as long as it takes my friend! I just wanted to say another big and sincere THANK YOU for your help during the 2008 Disney Marathon! You were an awesome teammate to have and I enjoyed every minute of the time we got to spend together. Never lose your sunny outlook on life, you are an inspiration to more people than I think you may realize! Also, congratulations on running an awesome race and dropping your time by TWO HOURS!!! That is AWESOME!!!

God Bless You!

Kyle Durr

~~mailto:KDurr@cfl.rr.com~~

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

8. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Jan 16, 2008 2:26 PM

in response to: KDurr22

Kyle,

You did great and it was great watching you run the marathon and meet people as you ran. As I told you before the run you will meet all kinds of great people and you are now one of them, for you did not just run for yourself ; But you ran that others may live. You made a differance in someone else's life! You made you world a better place! You saved the life of a Child, or a Mom,Dad, brother, sister, daughter, or someone son. I am proud to call you my friend. I am out of country again working, but I am only as far as a computer. I can't wait to see you run again! How are your legs and feet. Pack ice in bags and rap around your knees, it will help. Start slow next week. But walk as much as you can for now.

Thank you again and remember Just 1 Can Make a Differance! Because you just did.

Thanks Ken

kimpossible 23 posts since
Apr 11, 2008

9. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Apr 13, 2008 1:36 AM

I take spin class's and a lady whom I did not know asked me if I wanted to go to a meeting with her about Team In Training. I told her that I have been wanting to do one of the events listed on the flyer I get all the time in the mail but could never get my friends interested in it with me and I wanted to do it together. I went to the meeting with her and got totally jazzed about the whole thing and I decided that I will just sign up and think about my friends issue later. I wanted a challenge in my life that I would have to commit to and let nothing get in the way of it and not be able to back out of if it got to hard. This was the perfect thing for me to do. And now that I am reaching the end of my training for the 100 mile Tahoe ride I know why I joined and I have figured out the answer to the question that I get from my friends who left me hanging. I learned that there is always hope and Inspiration. The will to never give up. I ride with people who are going threw chemo sessions and look frail at times who pass me on the rides with big smiles and inspiring words to encourage me to continue. They are strangers no more and I love them.

Kimpossible

GO TEAM

keishapc 8 posts since
Apr 19, 2008

10. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Apr 20, 2008 2:34 AM

I was runner, with a tri coach, until November 14, 2006; I was diagnosed with AML. I kept telling the doctors something was wrong. I just felt like I wasn't getting enough air in my lungs. It felt like the first mile never ended. All of you runners, I am sure you can relate to what I am talking about...my coach who was in outstanding shape, he even was chosen to be a torch bearer during the Salt Lake Olympics, as conditioned as we both were, we used to joke and say, "it doesn't matter how good of a runner you are, the first mile sucks!" But then, you find your rythm and it feels sooo good.

I feel confident that when most of you run, you have felt someone like me, running with you, at every event. So, while you are running with someone dear to your heart, you help so many other people in the process. It's beautful <smile>. Thank you.

My last hospital stay was in June 07. I came off the pain meds (early, yeah!) around Oct 07. So while I am very fortunate, the AML and chemo really did a number on my body. My Doctor told me it is taking me a little longer than most to get back, because of my body's reaction to the trauma and chemo. I am just starting to feel better, April 08. I can't wait to get back the beautiful tone I once had in my muscles. (I really think the chemo eats all of the protein or something from the muscles. I don't know).

In addition, to saying thank you..... My point to telling you all about my love of running and how my prognosis is progressing, is to let each of you know, that you inspire me too! I can't wait to see you all one day on a TEAM run.

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

11. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Apr 20, 2008 2:05 PM

in response to: keishapc

Hi Thank you for fighting, living and inspiring! This is for you, God Bless

Dare to Dream

Choose a wish, find a dream

Pick a wishing star, Let your hopes and spirits soar High and free and far.

Reach for the unreachable,Stretch to touch the sky
Know no dream you treasure Is too far away or high

Believe in the impossible,Then work and try and do

For only those who dare to dream

Can make a dream come true

Thank you Crazy Ken

BarryB 7 posts since
Nov 19, 2007

12. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Apr 21, 2008 9:29 PM

in response to: keishapc

It is an honor and a pleasure to run with you. Keep us in the loop on your recovery.

We are going to run until there is no longer a need for us to run, I can't wait for that day. This is a lot of work, but you make it all worth it.

keishapc 8 posts since
Apr 19, 2008

13. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Apr 22, 2008 1:34 AM

in response to: BarryB

You guys are great! Thank you for your kind words. I promise you I can't wait to get back out and run. Not for myself, but for the two 19 yr olds that lost their battle to Leukemia, that were my friends in the hospital, and the so many others. I could go on about the stories that just don't make sense. I am sure many of you can too. I am sorry for your personal loses.

Heck, I wish we could just find a cure for a bone marrow biopsy.

Being positive is the main thing, I truly believe that with all that I am. In fact, the doctors were kinda taken aback. I looked at them and said, okay, what's Plan A? If Plan A doesn't work, then what's Plan B? Lets fight! Don't get me wrong, after I left I must have stayed in a hot shower for hours crying and letting my self just be.

I tried to keep running in the begining, you know, wanting things remain as normal as possible. Until, I got up in the middle of the night and just fell. Chemo does something to the muscles. Then, as time progressed, it was obvious, that just walking to the bathroom became a chore.

I have come along way from those days, and I will keep you guys abreast of my progress. I am from Dallas, Texas. I don't know how many of you are familiar with Dallas, but for the most part, its true, their seems to be kind of a true John Wayne grit to natives. Pardon my explicative here, it was my way to have humor with the situation, but I think you can summize what I mean. So, my grit was....Hey, if Lance Armstrong can beat brain, lung, and testicular cancer...I got balls, I can beat this.

Like I said, I can't wait to be running along side you guys! In fact, let me rephrase that statement, I will be running along side you guys soon! What you guys (guys means girls too) do is admirable, my hats off to you! Believe me what you do helps, The Leukemia Society contacted my within days asking me what I needed. You just don't know how important something like that is, until it happens to you. Things you don't even think about, like letters to utility companies, or parking accommodations, help with prescriptions if you need it. Remember, disability doesn't automatically kick-in. Night caps so you head doesn't freeze off at night when you have lost your hair. A knowledgeable person to call regarding questions about treatment, options, or resource information. Believe me it helps.

Again, my hats off to you! What you do matters!

CrazyKen 83 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

14. Re: Why did you join Team in Training? Apr 22, 2008 8:05 AM

in response to: keishapc

Why did we join TNT? You are the answer keishapc ! You are the brave warrior out there that leads us and inspires us to fight together and together we can and will beat these.

Barry has been my coach and mentor for how I want to be in life for the last three years, he too is a great warrior not for himself but for others. I think god for the day I meet barry, michele, joy , john, and everyone I have had the honor of meeting in TNT.

Keishapc you are part of the biggest family on the earth. You are not alone, it is okay to be afraid, it is okay to cry. Next sunday I will be 44 years old and I cry. I cry when I read people storys, when some beats this thing, when we lose a battle, When it is raining and I know if I don't get to the saturday run Michele and Joy will beat me down. lol

Just know our prayers, hearts, souls, and legs are with you.:)

Thank you for living, fighting, and for just being you.

Not so crazy but very honor to read your words Ken for Florida

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Why did you join Team in Training?

Oct 23, 2007 1:34 PM

Again, my hats off to you! What you do matters!

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