Season 5 - TNT has Kicked off!!!

I have FANtastic news! I am at it again…this time I am going to run three half marathons and my fourth full marathon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America. It’s true! I will be part of the Disney Half Marathon, San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon, San Francisco Nike Women’s Half Marathon in October, and the California International Marathon in Sacramento this December. None of these events will be easy. I have been fortunate with my health, my life and career and appreciate this chance to give something back. This will be my fifth season with Team in Training. I am a Training Captain and support the whole team. We all have coaches, a training program, and over 160 team members with a common goal and plenty of support. I’ve committed to the training program put together by the coaches and staff at Team in Training. I show up for the training, I run, I sweat, I hurt, I whimper, I take naps, I eat things called Shot Blocks and Sport Beans three times a week until it all begins Sunday, September 6, 2009. Then I run without stopping (much) for 13.1 miles…and then run again for 13.1 miles…and again for 13.1 more miles.....and then double that with 26.2 miles. I cross the finish line, and hooray!!! I did it!!


But that’s not all...The most inspirational part of this program is sponsoring a patient as your honoree. My honoree this season is Antoinette…here is her story:


“I had just turned 25 when I found a large lump above my left collarbone – it was cancer. I had Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma and my life came to a screeching halt. I never knew anyone my age with cancer and I was healthy! In fact, I had just run 5 miles the morning I felt it. In the midst of how unfair I felt the situation was, I knew it was happening to me for a reason and that I would be forever changed, but I would get through it. Looking back, I never once accepted defeat.

I quickly engaged the help of friends, family and resources from various organizations to equip me for battle. I found Fertile Hope, an organization that has a financial assistance program to help young adult cancer patients preserve their fertility, and decided to freeze oocytes (eggs) before starting chemo. My dreams of becoming a mother were saved! Then, through the help of the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society, I found everything I needed to know about my disease and an outlet for all my emotions. The local San Francisco chapter asked me to speak about my diagnosis and my fighting power to get through it. I loved every chance they gave me to speak in front of hundreds of people and inspire them to be strong in their own battles!
Now three years later I am proud to announce that my hair is back to its original length, I have a career with Fertile Hope, I’m married to prince charming and we hope to be parents in the near future. I still love sharing my story with anyone who will listen…”


My commitment to Antoinette and others like her is to raise at least $4000 to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a non-profit health agency, dedicated to curing leukemia. To join me, please complete your donation at

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/honolulu09/dzlatunich by 10/1/09.


Of course, I’ll gladly accept donations after this date; however, the sooner I meet my fundraising goal, the better I can focus my energy on preparing for these events.

Your gift is 100% tax-deductible. 75% of the $4000 goal will go towards patient services and research for finding a cure; however, 100% of the amount over my goal will go towards patient services and research. Whatever amount you can give will help – it all adds up in the end.

I really appreciate your support!

Training for a race is a challenge. But my challenge is nothing compared to the ones that Antoinette and others have to overcome on a daily basis fighting these diseases. As I run each mile I will be thinking of her and others who are coping with a life-threatening illness.


Thank you for your support,

Dena Zlatunich