Triathlon Charities

Why Triathlons?

Because of the pizza and beer after workout!

Seriously, I have always been very fascinated by the Triathlon sport ever since I first heard about it.  I think it's the discipline that it requires and the challenge of combining all 3 sports (swim/bike/run).  In the past, the only sports activities that I seriously enjoyed were swimming and tennis.  When I heard about Team-in-Training's charitable connection with cancer patients, I decided to finally take-on the triathlon challenge.

What Inspires Me

It takes a great deal of inspiration and dedication to accomplish an Ironman.  For me, it requires a good balance and time management between all of my responsibilities in my career (still got bills to pay), triathlon training, volunteer work, family, friends, and personal relationships (gotta have a life).

As a cancer survivor, patient, and advocate, I get my inspiration from fellow cancer patients and the general cancer community.  Additionally, I am inspired by my family, teammates, friends, and even strangers who volunteer and lend a hand in support of all good causes.

The priceless value that I get out of Team-in-Training are the friendships that I build with my teammates and the honorees.  Each team member is assigned to an honoree who is a Leukemia patient (most often children), who are either in remission, undergoing chemotherapy treatment, or even terminal.  These kids inspire and give me strength in everything that I do in life, knowing the difficult challenge that they themselves face. It is a very humbling experience.

I have had the privilege of knowing several of these kids. One of them have waited at the Finish Line on my first triathlon, then told me that I was her hero. (I have never been that to anyone.) She died shortly after that, and I was never the same. She and others have affected me so much that I promise to continue this work in their memory and their legacy until we find a cure.

If you want to make a difference, please consider the many options that you can do to help a child with Leukemia. If the patient is strong enough, you can take him/her out to a movie, a pizza, a sporting event, or simply throw a party for them. If saving a life is impossible, the next best thing is to help improve their quality of life while undergoing treatment. For me, the most valuable of these times have been by simply being there for them. Knowing that you're making a good difference can be the most rewarding feeling in the world.

Team-in-Training (TNT) and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)

Team-in-Training is a sports/charity support group that is dedicated to finding a cure for Leukemia and its related blood cancers. All triathletes commit to fundraise a minimum amount within a season while getting professional coaching from world-class coaches in return. We participate in major events across the country. It's a great way to support a good cause while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The training itself is over a period of 3 months for the Olympic distance program. Now that I'm training for an Ironman, the Ironteam training program is 10 months long. We practice and workout 6 days a week. Swim practice is either at an Olympic-size pool concentrating on technique and form, or open ocean water swims concentrating on distance. Cycling is usually held at popular rides all over northern California. Running is usually held at different trails and 10K events around the Bay Area. The training is also a great way to meet and socialize with other athletic and caring individuals who have a good outlook in life.

I Believe in Miracles...

...because I am so ready for one.  In February 1999, a miracle pill was discovered by Dr. Brian Druker.  It was the STI-571 drug, now approved by the US FDA and renamed Gleevec.  I started taking Gleevec in August 2000, while it was on clinical trials, and it did wonders for me.  I stopped chemotherapy (Interferon) and immediately started to gain and retain my weight.  It was then that I decided to increase my athletic challenge and trained for my first Ironman (Canada 2001).

Unfortunately, Gleevec has lost its effectiveness in some patients, including me.  So now I am back on maintenance chemo while I continue to train for my second Ironman (Hawaii 2002).  This time, it will be tougher than the first, but I believe in miracles.  I hope that another miracle pill will be discovered very soon.

STI-571 was discovered by Dr. Brian Druker whose medical research program is partly funded by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Its funding comes mostly from dollars raised by Team-in-Training participants. This is a great example of how fundraising money is used.

It is important to note that Leukemia research has been a foundation for other medical advancements benefiting other treatments like breast cancer, Lymphoma, AIDS, and other blood-related disorders so your donation goes a long way.  If you wish to donate to my fundraising campaign, please send me an e-mail so I can give you the simple directions on where to mail your tax-deductible donation.   Thank you in advance.