Women's Focus - January 2008 - (Page 30)

focus on H E A LT H T eam Training in When our friend Sarah told a group was something I knew Kassidy would want Francisco. The route was beautiful. We ran of us that she wanted to form a team and prepare to run a marathon, we thought she couldn’t be serime to do; she understood that her illness was difficult for the entire family. We lived in Seattle, Washington for most of her treatment, and sometimes we would by the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, rolling hills, gorgeous homes and thousands of cheering fans! There were encouraging signs along the way: “Cancer Sucks,” “If you think this is painful, try chemo,” and ous. Then she introduced us to the share a room with three other patients, “Skinny Jeans Ahead.” their family members and visitors. On one Team in Training (TNT) program. occasion, we had 13 different roommates TNT is a comprehensive endurance training program for runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. During its 19-year history, the program has trained more than 320,000 participants and raised more than $800 million for blood cancer research and patient aid. TNT offers individuals of all fitness abilities, a three- to five-month training program. Each member of the team participates in honor, or memory, of someone i n d u l g e y o u r s e l f • Wo m e n s F o c u s . c o m • J A N U A RY 2 0 0 8 I can honestly say that, with the help of the coaches and staff at TNT, running a marathon was not hard. The training made it all possible. Each of us on Team Kassidy completed the entire 26.2 miles. Those beautiful women are some of the most incredible friends I could ever hope to have. I also met many inspirational people involved with the TNT group. We shared each other’s pain and triumph and became one team, there to support and motivate each other. Every five minutes, someone in the U.S. learns he or she has leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. That is nearly 300 people a day. Our lives don’t come with guarantees, so there’s no better time than the present to make a change for the better. Check out Team in Training and make a difference, not only in your life, but in the lives of others who are in need of your support. It’s not as difficult as you might think, and far better than you can imagine. before Kassidy was able to go home. Every morning we would wake up in the hospital and she would ask, “How did you sleep, Mommy?” She needed to hear that I was all right. She had a gift for knowing what to say and when to say it. Sometimes she would just slip her little hand in mine and look at me with her huge brown eyes, and I would gain strength from her. I have been changed for the better because I had the gift of knowing my daughter. Ten of my wonderful girlfriends jumped on board (or rather ran) to form what we called “Team Kassidy.” Her memory was the inspiration that pushed us through sore muscles, aching joints, and many miles of training. We decided nothing we were going through compared to chemo, bone marrow transplants, and months of hospital stays. We ran for Kassidy and all those who are no longer able to run. Our group ran the Nike Marathon in San from our community who has been affected by leukemia or lymphoma. That is how I became involved. My daughter Kassidy lost her battle with leukemia on July 30, 2006. She was just ten years old. We fought this disease for nearly six years and then, in a matter of days, the fight was over. Team in Training offered a way for me to continue to battle and help others who are suffering from this relentless disease. This ~Jami Holman 30 http://WomensFocus.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Women's Focus - January 2008

Womens Focus - January 2008 Contents BEAUTY & FASHION Retro Do’s Are Big News Vintage Vogue Wichita’s Next Top Model Contest FACTS & FUN The Housewife is Back FLAVOR A Taste of History Cocktail Anyone? FAMILY & FRIENDS Forget-Me-Not Gal Shakila Saiffulah In Her Shoes—Wink Hartman Reba McEntire Social Circle HEALTH Abs From the Past Ask Dick & Jane Home Remedies Team in Training HOME & GARDEN From Warm Fires to Pool Parties Furniture Frolic Retro Houseplants There's More to Color Than Meets the Eye TRAVEL & LEISURE City Culture Crafts: Faux Pearl Makeover Day Tripping in Newton Knightley Reading

Women's Focus - January 2008

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