Kelly Coco I am 25 years old, and I reside in the I grew up in Back in high school, I was involved in a bunch of activities, and I played field hockey. After one game, I noticed I had a bump on my head, but attributed it to rough play and didn’t think much of it. But in the coming weeks, that bump had grown into a golf ball size mass, and I knew something wasn’t right. Tests confirmed that my “bump” was actually Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was 16 years old. I immediately started treatments, and for one year I did weekly chemotherapy treatments. Thankfully, the treatments worked, and I am now considered cured. During this time, I was introduced to Team in Training. I became the honored hero of the Boston Chapter. I had no idea what Team in Training was all about prior to this. But that year, I realized how wonderful it was. The money that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society raised helped fund the research that has led to my remission. I was directly impacted by the sincere dedication of these athletes. I promised that some day, I would find a way to give back to the society… since they helped save my life, and the lives of a million others. In 2005, I raised over $3,000 for the LLS and ran my first marathon. But this race isn’t over until we find a cure. I’m so inspired by Team in Training’s motto: “Don’t Just Stand for Something… Run for it!” I am proud to be an honored hero of this team. I hope that I can inspire others to join as well because: “It ain’t over, till its over!” To learn more about little Stevie click here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stevieramos Stevie is a loving unique 3 year old boy. He was diagnosed with ALL Luekemia in Oct. of 2007, just days before his 2nd birthday. His journey is far from over however he has come a long way since his diagnosis. After 3 different bone fractures, several hospital admissions... he is now in remission! Stevie is currenting in the maintance stage of treatment, which means he receives chemotherapy in clinic once a month & spinal taps every 3 months. Although he remains taking oral chemo on a daily basis, he has made such progress in his health. We thank the Lord for the constant strength & daily blessings.
Stevie Ramos
Arielle Michaut
Welcome to Tem in Training’s SVF Team! I originally joined as a participant of the Winter 2008 team and am returning for Summer 2009 as an Honored Teammate. My experience with TNT last season was life changing and one of the best things I have ever been a part of. My original purpose for joining was to give back to people affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and myeloma but I quickly became the receiver with the joy and reward of being part of something so amazing!
In May 2004, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma stage 2. I was extremely lucky that the cancer was localized to only one lymph node and was not in my bone marrow. I was treated for four months with chemotherapy known as C.H.O.P., Rituxan (an intravenous antibody therapy used to specifically treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and followed by one month of daily radiation treatments. By the grace of all that’s good, and modern medicine, I went into full remission.
Since then I have been focused on my health and well-being, have a new appreciation for life and my loved-ones. TNT has quickly become an outlet to celebrate life and give back to those less fortunate than I.
Last season I completed my first Half Marathon in
Welcome to Team in Training… I am honored to be your teammate! GO TEAM!!!
Camelia Coupal & Audrey Duffy
Karen Zisser Because of all the money raised for research by LLS, I was able to receive a drug called Retuxan which not only helped to put my cancer in remission but has added some quality time to my life. While there is no cure for my form of the disease, I felt that for the time I have, I wanted to give something back by getting involved with TNT and LLS. Once I was up and running again, I joined TNT’s 2009 summer team and did my first half marathon in The training can be tough, but nothing compared to the treatments that thousands of leukemia and lymphoma patients go through every day. I'm in for a long race to help beat this disease. Every contribution helps bring us closer to the finish line, and we will get there. Monica Trent 
My reasons for getting involved with TNT were because in September, 2006, I was diagnosed with stage IV nonhodgkin's Mantle Cell lymphoma. This is a very fast growing and aggressive form of the disease. What a surprise that was! Here I was planning my sixth birthday by going to
A big thank you to all those who are truly making a difference
Kyles Krusade
Up until then, Kyle was a happy, healthy, & energetic 4 year old. It started with a cold that came & went for about 2 weeks. Thursday, we went to the pediatrician & he was prescribed an antibiotic for a sinus infection. After 2 days, Kyle had stomach pain. Sun a.m. we took him to T. O. Pediatric Urgent Care. Dr. said it was stomach flu even though he did not have diarrhea or vomiting, just low grade fever. That night, Kyle still had stomach pains. 12:30 am Mon I took him to Los Robles ER & he was given the same diagnosis. The doc gave him some Donatol for the belly pain & advised us to go home. For some reason, I refused to leave & requested a blood test. 15 minutes later, Kyle was taken for a CT scan. 5 minutes later, the world as we knew it changed...forever. Here I am standing with my 4 year old son, being told he has Cancer & the ambulance is on it's way to take us to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Upon arrival, we were told he was severely anemic & would need 3 blood transfusions before he could undergo a Bone Marrow Biopsy & Lumbar Puncture. Those tests determined which type of Leukemia Kyle has & the course of treatment.
The test results revealed it is Acute Lymphomic Leukemia-ALL. It was caught in the early stages, so that works in his favor and from what we are told, ALL is the "best" type of Leukemia for a child to have- not that any kind is something to hope for...
Kyle started chemotherapy on May 5th. He remained at CHLA for 12 days to receive more chemo & another marrow biopsy & lp. The doctors inserted a PIC line in his arm to deliver the chemo & take labs. This reduces the need to "poke" him regularly- trying to reduce the amount of trauma to this little man! The PIC line, however, brings with it a risk of infection. The line needs to be cleaned & flushed daily- something Eric, Bailey, & I have become quite good at!! In a few weeks they will be inserting a port under his skin & removing the PIC line. This will give him more freedom to take a bath & even swim.
At this point, we make the trek to CHLA once a week for marrow tests, spinals, blood transfusions, & chemo. A nurse comes to the house once a week to change his PIC line dressing & he has lots of meds to take orally including steroids. I have to say, he has been quite the little trooper! Takes everything without a fuss. His strength & courage never ceases to amaze us.
The effects of the chemo & steroids are brutal, to put it mildly. Never really knew the meaning of "roid rage" until now. That's what is so difficult, he has no control of himself at times & he realizes that- totally frustrating.
We want to thank everyone for their love & support during this time. Words cannot begin to express how blessed we feel to be surrounded by such wonderful family, friends, & even strangers. Thank you all.
Prayers & positive thinking have gotten us this far & it will carry us through the next 3 years. This will be a long journey for Kyle & for our family, but he will not take it alone. Eric, Bailey, & I have vowed to help Kyle in his "Krusade to Krush Cancer!"
