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!