Catherine Patterson, my bubbly, sweet and blond-haired coworker, is the reason I decided to stay in the race. To me, blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma were just one of many debilitating cancers. That is, until I found out that Catherine's dad is currently undergoing stem cell transplant to cure his blood cancer. Catherine and her dad are the exact reason why Team in Training exists, and why I felt personally compelled to continue. The following is written by Catherine:
So why do you care?
*One, you can witness Jeanne, Sarah T, Jodie, Eran, Sarah S (honorary RM team member)and me jump in the Hudson – willingly.
*Two, you can see firsthand as Sarah S rolls me over the finish line.
*Three, it’s for a great cause.
As many of you know, my dad has multiple myeloma, a blood cancer within the LLS family. It has been almost five years since diagnosis.
Five years of almost continuous chemo, steroids, doctors, hospitals, and fighting. Refusing to give up. Finding strength when it seems there is none left… But more than that, its five years of life I have been given with my dad. Multiple Myeloma is known as a particularly mean, vindictive cancer. It is extremely difficult to manage, and remission rarely comes. My dad has outlived any odds he was initially given – although he is one who has strength beyond measure and, in my opinion, to whom odds do not apply. However, the reality is he would not be alive today if it were not for new drugs and new treatments discovered within the past few years.
As we went for our first training run, he was on a plane down to M.D. Anderson in Houston to start yet another treatment. He always says he is so grateful that he has the top oncologists in the country but , it was never a wish of his to be the focus of such brilliant medical minds.
Today marks the 50th day into his treatment, his third stem cell transplant but his first using his brother’s cells. Day 100 is when they whether it has been a success. We are halfway there. And our training team is half way there too.
As usual, Jodie dragged me out of the office to do hills this Tuesday. I truly detest running with every bone in my body. And so I protest. But she usually wins. And now that Eran, Sarah(x2) and Jeanne are on board, there is no escaping J I am always grateful of their support, encouragement, and dedication – to getting me going but more importantly to this cause. I am grateful I have the best teammates and colleagues – although – it was never a wish of mine to be doing a triathlon. And while running up that beast of a hill, wanting so badly to just stop and walk away, I think of my dad. And all the other people who are fighting for their lives. These hills are nothing compared to theirs. My dad doesn’t have a choice to endure what he will, but he does get to choose to fight. And he does. Everyday. And so will I – with a little help from my friends.
And so the hill becomes manageable. And all the people around you, running for their own reasons but all with the same goal, become your support, my support, my dad’s support.
So I ask you to come tonight. Support us in our training, and support the organization that has given my dad, very literally, his life. As he has said of LLS: “What you do is why I’m here.”
And if nothing else, just come hang out with us.
I look forward to seeing you tonight!
Much gratitude,
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