A personal connection....

When I first joined Team In Training I didn't know very much about blood born cancers or the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Through the first few weeks of my time with the team I realized that I...Dena....had a personal connection to this cause. In other words, I realized that I knew someone directly who had had a form of cancer that I was about to raise money to help cure.

It was Antoinette. She is the cousin of one of my very dearest friends and someone who I worked with for a short time in 2005. During that time we worked together Antoinette learned she had Hodgkin Lymphoma. I have known her since we were both young, as she would visit my friend and we would all spend time together. Never did it occur to me, that I would see, first hand her fight with cancer. Not only did I see her fight, but I saw her courage, her determination to move forward, and her prevail over cancer.

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…


Antoinette is my motivation to get through all my races...both in her battle and now seeing her successes. I am very proud to call her my personal Honoree!!

Please help me continue to fight cancer and raise money to help find better treatments, more resources for cancer patients, and bring an end to their suffering.

To make a tax-deductible donation, click on the following link:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf10/dzlatunich

Just some pictures....Weeeee

Listening to announcements at track practice !!!








Cheese....















At Stanford Dish....running up a BIG hill....Phew!









Crunches....see me? I am wearing turquoise and grey.










Planks...SWEET!

And, we're off!!

Last night was our FIRST track workout and it was great!!! It started out with not very many people, but we doubled in size after the first 10min. Our location was different this week, which was the cause in delay for over half of the group. Last night we were at Gunn High School. It was a light workout for those who are 'seasoned', but for the beginners it was a good way to ease into the rest of the seasons’ workouts. The coaches had us do a 10 min warm up around the athletic fields, stretch and then the drills came....we did toe walking, heel walking, low skips, butt kicks, and finished off with high skips. Once our drills were done, it was off to the grass for CORE...yikes!!! At first, everyone was so happy and laughing at Coach Chris' jokes....then the crunches started...1, 2, 3....10. Only 10...WOOOO HOOO. The whole time I am thinking.....just wait it gets harder as we go...HA!!! Core workout continued with planks, push-ups, and more crunches. To end the workout for the evening, Chris had us do squats and lunges (Amy's favorite!!!)

I decided during our warm up to "pick up the rear" to make sure everyone was doing ok. I happened to be behind 2 women Adrianna and Joan(?) who were run/walking. They were excited to be out and doing something good. Within their conversation, comments were made about just doing the best that they could for the 10min. I smiled. I tried to encourage them by saying they could do it and to take note of today, as they will soon be able to run/walk longer than they have before. Both ladies chuckled and said “we’ll see”. For me it is the best when you see participants progress throughout the season and then can reflect with them on how far they have come. Later this season, I will make sure to bring up last night and congratulate them on their accomplishments!! :o)

During our announcement section of track I took the time to observe everyone who was standing around listening to Cal talk about the team traditions, TNT housekeeping info, and fund-raising incentives. We heard about fund-raising ideas and what to expect at this weekends run. It was refreshing to see all the attentive and motivated participants. Keeping them motivated is the key…getting them involved and supporting their fund-raising efforts will help keep the attitude they have now going strong.

This is why I have come back season after season for the past 7 seasons....I love to watch everyone’s progression, I love seeing people accomplish their fund-raising goals and then some, I get motivated to do the best that I can to make their experience on the team as positive as mine, and most importantly I love to see the progress that your donations have created to help our Honorees over come their battles.

Thank you for taking the time to stay in tuned with my adventures.....and THANK YOU for your support, be it a donation or your company during my training.

MAKE A DONATION: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf10/dzlatunich

A Honorees special Thank you -

After sending out my fund-raising email yesterday, I received the below response from on of our team Honorees...

" Dena.....Thanks for including me in this communication.....thanks for all you do for the team...... and thank you especially for allowing me to have the experience of watching my grandkids grow up (among the million other things that I am still doing on this earth).......you are welcome to cry with me for the happiness of knowing that you are doing marvelous things.....like watch fewer and fewer people lose their battles or stated another way.....helping those of us in the cancer community be successful at our fight to win our battle. You are making a difference.....you and your contributing family and friends are saving lives. Thank you from me and all of my fellow cancer patients. Good luck with your training and event this season. Sincerely, Doug"


His words say it all...he and others like him are why I do this season after season. They are why I raise money to fight cancer.

A simple message to start the Fall Season

My Fund-raising Message/Email:

Dear Family & Friends….

As many of you know, I have been involved with Team In Training since the fall of 2007. This fall season marks my 7^th consecutive season with TNT and my 6^th season as a member of the volunteer staff. I will never forget my first season; Diane the mentor who was assigned to me, the coaches who were so helpful, the structure, the workouts, and all the things I learned I could accomplish. I was training to run my very first half marathon!

Now, as I get ready to start my 7^th season, I have accomplished 8 half marathons and 4 full marathons!! I have worked very hard; running anywhere from 10 to 40 miles per week, I’ve purchased approximately 10 pairs of running shoes, been injured, cheered on my teammates, and cried with happiness of what I had completed as well as in sorrow for the loss of life of people who have lost their battle with cancer.

My family and friends….I may work hard every day to be a stronger, faster runner, but nothing compares to the struggle cancer patients have EVERYDAY. I have remained involved with Team in Training and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because not only do I get to do something healthy for myself, but I also have the opportunity to help those who need a cure for their cancer. YOU have the power to help them too!!

This season I am fund raising and hope to raise $2000 by August 31^st to help in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkins disease…this is where YOU have the power to help!!! Your donations will help me reach my goal and accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Below is the link where you can make a secure tax-deducible donation:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf10/dzlatunich

Additionally, last year I had created a running blog…..IT’S BACK!!! Check in regularly to see how my training, fund-raising, and TNT season are going.

http://denamzlatunich.blogspot.com/

I understand that the current economic state may be leaving some of you unable to contribute on a monetary basis, please know that your moral support is just as important to me and my goals. I can't accomplish this without YOU!! There are many ways to help me this season...lets go on a run/walk/hike/bike ride, come cheer me on at a team run, or share this message with others.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your support!!

I appreciate your time and hope this has found you well…

GO TEAM!!!

Dena :o)

P.S. I would appreciate it if you would share this with as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again.