New York, January 7, 2011 – Georgia Cleland, now 28, is the little girl who helped spawn an entire running for charity movement – the largest of its kind in the world. A leukemia patient at age 2, when the chance of survival was just 55 percent, today she ran her first half-marathon with Team In Training, the organization her father founded in her honor 23 years ago.  She ran the Walt Disney World half-marathon.  Thanks to her father Bruce Cleland’s imagination, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training has had a remarkable influence on the world of marathon running and on blood cancer research.

Click here to read this article in its entirety.

Conshohocken, PA (January 3, 2012) – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training (TNT), the world’s largest and most successful charity endurance sports training program, has been voted Best Charity Training Program in the 2011 Best of Competitor magazine poll.

The winners were chosen by votes from Competitor magazine readers. The results of the annual reader survey will be published in the January 2012 issue of the magazine.

TNT prepares participants to complete a marathon, half marathon, triathlon, or a 100-mile century bikes ride. Participants receive four to five months of training with certified coaches, great choices on travel destinations and all travel arrangements, clinics on nutrition, hydration, injury prevention and the camaraderie of a TEAM. In return, participants raise funds to advance blood cancer research and provide services for patients and their families.

Since its inception in 1988 more than a half a million participants have raised more than $1.2 billion to support the LLS mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of lives of patients and their families.

“Competitor magazine is a leading voice in endurance sports, and its readers have their fingers on the pulse of what programs and services provide the highest caliber of training and the best overall experience for participants,” said Kaitlin McCartan, Campaign Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter. “We are truly honored that Competitor’s  readers have voted Team In Training as their favorite program.”

Teams are now forming for the summer season, which includes St. Luke’s Half Marathon, Lake Tahoe Century Bike Ride, Rock “n” Roll Marathon and Half Marathon in San Diego, Lake Placid Marathon and Half, and Philadelphia Triathlon. For additional information, please call the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter at (610) 238-0368; or visit www.teamintraining.org/epa.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
 
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada including the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Blood Cancers Networking Group – Warminster/ Bucks County
Open to all who have been touched by a blood cancer. Provides supportive and educational resources. When: 2nd  Wednesday of the month in the evening. Location: Gilda’s Club.  Facilitated by a licensed social worker. Please call Marianne Wolfe at 215-441-3290 x103 or Marianne@gildasclubdelval.org

Family/Caregiver Support Groups-Warminster/Buck County
“Family and Friends Networking: Dinner and Discussion” provides a safe and comfortable place for family and friends of people with cancer to share experiences and concerns regarding their unique situation. Dinner is provided. When: 2nd  Thursday of each month and is sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Location: Gilda’s Club.  Registration is required.  Facilitated by a licensed social worker. Please call Marianne Wolfe at 215-441-3290 x103 or Marianne@gildasclubdelval.org

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Family Support Group – Conshohocken
For patients and family members coping with CML. It is an opportunity to share experiences, exchange information and gain support. When: 2nd  Wednesday of the month at 6PM. Location: LLS’s EPA Chapter Office (group does not meet in June, July & August)

Lymphoma Support Group – Conshohocken
Provide all types of lymphoma patients, families and friends with support, information, education and networking. When: First Tuesday of the month at 6PM. Location: LLS’s EPA Chapter Office (group does not meet in June, July & August)

KID SUPPORT- Philadelphia
A 10-week program for children (ages 6-12) who have cancer or family members or friends with cancer. Design to help children cope and an opportunity to meet other children with similar experience. Also have concurrent parent group available for adults. When: Starting October 6th at 6PM-8PM. Location: The Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia.  If interested and for more information, please contact Kathleen Coyne, LCSW at 215-879-7733 or kcoyne@cancersupport-phila.org

Spanish Support Group / ¡Una Réunion!: Grupo de apoyo latino -  Philadelphia
Para pacientes con cáncer, sus familias y personas cercanas. Fecha: cada tercer el Miércoles del mes. 1:30 PM- 3:00 PM. Lugar: Temple Cancer Center. Para inscribirse para el grupo o para preguntas o asistencia para personas discapacitadas, por favor contacte a: May MacKenzie teléfono: 215-707-2575

LGBT Cancer Support Group – Philadelphia- The William Way LGBT Community Center
Provide LGBT cancer patients, families and friends in the Greater Philadelphia region with opportunities to share experiences, exchange information, gain support, information, education and networking. When: 1st  Monday of the month in the evening Location:. The William Way Center. For more  information and to register, please contact  Ilana Benyosef, LSW  610-238-0360 ext. 232 or ilana.benyosef@lls.org

**Bereavement Support Group – Bux/Mont Area **
Living with Loss -  Hosted by Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley. Any adult who has lost a loved one to an illness is welcome to call about the group. Pre-registration is required. For further information, please contact Melanie Kaplan at 215 441-3290 x114 or Melanie@gildasclubdelval.org

So here is my offer and our chance to all do something from the comfort of wherever you are. Effective today 100% of the proceeds received from both the paperback and download versions of this book will be split evenly between two charities which are meaningful to Ethan and I.

50% will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and 50% will go to Ethan’s charity Grassroot Soccer. Please pass this around to your friends.

Please click below to make a difference:

DOWNLOAD

PAPERBACK

The irony in all of it is he has been training for this weekend’s NYC marathon where I will be joining him and racing for his charity; Grassroot Soccer. Ethan will also be guiding a blind athlete that we have running with our team. Check that. Not just any “blind athlete”, but world class and world champion  triathlete Aaron Scheidies. 

All systems were GO. So of course in true warrior fashion, he will still race. Perhaps not as well as he had hoped, but he’ll get it done. Someone commented that this news is “sad”. I don’t feel “sad” right now. I feel really pissed off and offended if that makes sense. But not “sad”.

In talking to Ethan yesterday, I offered the following:

Call me crazy but I feel A LOT of really positive energy around the race and your situation. Think about the dynamic…. Leading a blind athlete…. Going though treatment …. Running with another survivor … (yours truly)….. raising money for GRS and saving lives…. leading by example ….There is just so much karma and POWER in all of this….

The Hodgkins Lymphoma is just showing its ignorance by rearing its ugly head. It’s going to get chewed up.

I’ll post some updates once we get to NY on Friday. I will see Ethan and our crew for dinner Saturday night and we will all ride a team bus to the start and have our own little colony to hang out and enjoy each other’s company prior to the start.

My goal is to just hang out with Ethan during the race and make it a MISSION against cancer.

More to come.

Below is an email from Ethan that went out to our marathon team just today:

To All My Favorite GRS Marathoners,

The past 2 years as a cancer survivor have been super exciting – a trip to South Africa for the World Cup, a journey around the world on The Amazing Race, a new TV series with Jenna called Everyday Health, and running of the NYC Marathon for Grassroot Soccer. In fact, working with GRS has always been the MOST rewarding part my life.

Having said that, I have some not-so-exciting news. On September 14^th, after a routine visit to the oncologist, they found evidence of canzer. I relapsed. My f’ing canzer is back.

I have Hodgkins Lymphoma that is localized to the chest and lung area. The docs are very hopeful and are treating this with curable intent.

I’m on a super new drug called SGN-35 which was passed by the FDA on September 24,2011. SGN-35 is considered a “Smart Therapy” because it will only target the cancerous cells in my body.  Therefore, the side effects are not as bad.  Most importantly, I will not lose my jew-fro again, and that’s really my biggest concern…not this stupid cancer stuff. HA!! My first treatment was on October 18^th and I’m feeling ok.

Here’s the yucky part. Once my cancer is in remission, I will have to endure another stem cell transplant. Hola Mr. Bubble Boy!!!!  This time it will be an Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant (versus and Autologus stem cell), which means I will use another human’s stems cells and I WILL lose my hair. I will be in the “bubble” for about 40-50 days with a hard-core intensive 120-day recovery period once I’m released.

So that’s the deal….

I think the general perception of cancer is that there are winners and losers. You either beat cancer and win, or lose to cancer and die. There is no in between. The reality of my situation is that I did everything in my power to beat cancer and I did. But it came back. And that’s ok too. I’m not a failure. There are millions of people out there living with cancer and living with the reality that this horrible disease may come back.

This morning, People Magazine made this announcement, but I wanted to send a personal note to everyone. I’m going public because I hope the details of my life have the power to educate and heal others. Or perhaps enable them to connect with me in a way that helps make their journey more manageable. I’m right there with them…living and fighting each day of my life bringing awareness to this global pandemic. It’s who I am, It’s what I represent. I stand up for what I believe in.

I’m still running the NYC marathon for GRS even though I have cancer and have had my first chemo treatment.  It’s that important to me. The docs think I’m crazy, but I want to send a message of hope and let people know that cancer will not slow me down. And it doesn’t have to slow anyone else down either. I will to charge forward and continue to do the things I love, like work with GRS.

I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a horrible diagnosis and I want to do everything in my power to make sure no one else will have to go through the same crap that I’m going through…whatever that may be, cancer or HIV.

I can’t wait to see everyone this weekend and have some fun. It’s an honor to be part of something so much bigger than myself.

Who’s ready to outrun cancer and stomp out AIDS?  That’s what I thought…me too!

See you at the finish line,

Ethan

I actually love hearing from those people. And I love signing them up and watching them transform themselves into triathletes and crossing the finish line a new person. I sent the below email to one such prospect. My comments are pretty universal so I thought I would share with everyone.

Hi,

I am always happy to talk about the sport, and the program. And take an even greater and vested interest in those that might be a little apprehensive about some aspect of the event. I understand those feelings. I also know that we take pride in working with people to overcome those feelings. I have seen so many people come though the program with slight fears or concerns. I can’t tell you how good it feels for me to watch them grow from week to week and gain a little more confidence and then share with them that feeling of crossing the finish line.

Being a little nervous is an even BIGGER reason to sign up. The benefits that you will derive through this journey are far greater than the sport of triathlon. You will develop a sense of self and confidence that will trickle down to all aspects of your life. I have found that many too many people live their lives in a relatively small comfort zone. And they live their lives and all is “just fine”. BUT sometimes we need more. Sometimes, “just fine” isn’t enough. Sometimes we need to push the edges of that comfort zone and when we do, we discover a completely different world, and a side of ourselves that we never knew existed.

This  triathlon program has three dedicated coaches, all of whom feel exactly the way I do. We take pride in making you into a triathlete.

Don’t do this for any other reason, besides wanting to grow as a person.

Feel free to ask me anything you like!

Hope to see you  at Kick Off

Steve

www.teamintraining.org

Read more …

Imerman Angels carefully matches and individually pairs a person touched by cancer (a cancer fighter or survivor) with someone who has fought and survived the same type of cancer (a Mentor Angel). Cancer caregivers (spouses, parents, children and other family and friends of fighters) also receive 1-on-1 connections with other caregivers and survivors. These 1-on-1 relationships inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.

Learn more at imermanangels.org

Back by Popular Demand

CHARITY JEWELRY SALE

Saturday, April 9^th

1-4 pm

Dobson Mills Clubhouse

4041 Ridge Avenue 

Philadelphia, PA 19129 

Whether you are looking for a special gift or need matching accessories for an upcoming event, Gems by MG offers unique, custom crafted elegance and special one-of-a-kind pieces made to order at pricing you will not believe.

Earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings handcrafted in sterling silver featuring pearls, shells, crystals and gemstones of every color.

Unbelievably priced between $10- $40 with a portion of every sale going to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

 Gems by MG

 IF YOU MISSED IT THE FIRST TIME DON’T MISS IT AGAIN!

 Cash and Personal Checks Accepted

• Every year, more than 10,000 men, women and children could benefit from a bone marrow transplant.
• Sadly, 6 out of 10 patients never receive the life-saving transplant they need.
• More people need transplants than those who receive them. Out of 10,000 who sought transplants in 2008, only 4,300 received them. This low numbers is due to disparities in access to health care, lack of referrals for such treatment  options and the  inability to find matching donors.                      
• If you are a member of a minority race and ever in need of a bone marrow transplant, you have less than a 30 percent chance of finding a matching donor because tissue types are the most similar between people of matching ethnicity.

Most stem cell donations now no longer require surgery. Only a simple mouth swab is required for the test. 

How You Can Help:

Please come on Tuesday, APRIL 12th  for a chance to meet Lou Williams, get pictures taken and autographs and most importantly, get on-site testing to register to become a donor. At no cost!  If you can not attend or unable to become a donor, please forward this message about the event on to your friends, relatives and colleagues because they may hold the key to saving a life.

For more information and register, contact Ilana Benyosef, LLS Patient Services Manager, at  610-238-0360 ext. 232

DATE: Tuesday, April 12, 2011
TIME: 12 noon- 4:30 pm
LOCATION: The Learning Center at Temple University Health System Corporate
2450 West Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19129

Last week I elevated my game a little bit and took the official orientation offered by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for the peer to peer First Connection Program. I have already been operating in that capacity ever since my diagnosis, but it’s nice to have the official LLS stamp of approval for what I have been doing.

The cool thing about this program is that my name will go into a national database for others to pull from.  So  I could be contacted by someone from literally anywhere in the United States who wants to learn more about my diagnosis and treatments, etc. as they educate themselves and reconcile their own situations. It’s a pretty cool thing.

Of course one doesn’t have to go through First Connection to reach me. It’s just another avenue and an additional way to network. If you are reading this, you know how to find me.

It‘s a pretty cool program. You can read more about it HERE.