Scott Peterson was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 2006. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) provided financial support to help him through the process and Scott paid that back the week after his cancer went into remission.

Scott learned about Team In Training (TNT) through his involvement with Light The Night® Walk. More than five years and many events later, including triathlons, a half marathon, hikes and century rides, he's raised nearly $60,000 for LLS.

"TNT was a fantastic way to give back to an organization that helped save my life," says Scott. "Without their funds going to research, the chemo advancements I needed to beat lymphoma would not have been possible. It's been an amazing adventure, pushing myself back to health and accomplishing things I never thought possible."

In 2003, neuroscientist Dr. Leonard Aldes was diagnosed with lymphoma. After two rounds of treatment, including a stem cell transplant, he's now cancer free. 

Dr. Aldes had been running for 33 years and refused to let lymphoma stop him. He and his daughter, Jamie, decided to join Team In Training to run a half marathon together. Dr. Aldes trained in Scottsdale, while Jamie trained on her own through the Flex Program in Cleveland.

They both came together recently to run the half marathon side by side. "I can't express my gratitude enough to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team in Training," says Dr. Aldes. "I will continue running until we find a cure for cancer."

Even before Team In Training (TNT) was created, Lucy Duffy had run a marathon to raise money to fight leukemia. Her 54-year-old husband, Allen, was diagnosed in 1985 with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). In 1986 she ran the NYC Marathon in honor of Allen. Hoping to raise a couple of hundred dollars, she called her campaign Lucy Against Leukemia and ran in a homemade LUCY AGAINST LEUKEMIA shirt, giving handouts promoting her cause. She raised $22,000. Allen lost his battle with leukemia a month later.

Lucy was a member of the first TNT team in the NYC Marathon in 1988. The team raised over $250,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Since then Lucy has done nine marathons, a century ride and many triathlons, raising well over $200,000.

Lucy has given her "Running Through Grief" speech all over the country and in Dublin, Ireland, and Connecticut. She has been bestowed with honors from The National Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and by the Connecticut and Massachusetts Chapters of LLS. In fact, the Massachusetts Chapter created the Lucy Against Leukemia Award, which is presented annually, often to survivors who have gone on to help others by participating in TNT events.

"Running, and now sprint triathlons and biking, have sustained me physically and emotionally and, combined with TNT events, have lent focus and a deep sense of satisfaction of going beyond myself, helping others and making a difference," says Lucy.

Though he doesn't have a family connection to leukemia or lymphoma, Andrew Nerney feels the patient heroes and survivors he's met through Team In Training (TNT) are like family to him. He says he wouldn't trade his fundraising experience for anything.

"I've been hugged by strangers and thanked profusely by people I barely know. One TNT mentor and cancer survivor thanked me 26.2 times at the Disney marathon, one time for each mile run!"

Says Andrew, "Those who suffer from blood cancers need our help, and I am honored that they accept my assistance. The pain that I feel from training and the personal time that I sacrifice in fundraising efforts pale in comparison to the pain felt by the sick and by the sacrifices made by their family members. These proud and strong people need our help, and I humbly offer them my time and efforts."

Angela Rosecrans loved the idea of a challenge. She'd never run more than a 5k before, but she signed up for a half marathon with Team In Training (TNT), with a goal of raising $3,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Angela's fears disappeared when she learned of the many people battling blood cancer and she met all the people who were willing to help.

"To be a part of LLS and TNT is to be a part of something so much bigger and brighter than I could ever do alone," says Angela. "Multiply my work by the thousands of people who filled up the room at the Inspiration Dinner the night before our race and it all adds up to the tune of more than 10 million dollars! I am so grateful I found TNT."

Tom Simpson lost a friend and his mother-in-law to leukemia, and his sister-in-law overcame non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). He joined Team In Training (TNT) in their honor.

At first, running more than four or five miles was a struggle for Tom, but with the help and encouragement of TNT, he ran his first marathon and raised $6,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in the process. Tom went on to form his own TNT team, recruiting three friends to join him. Their goal is to raise over $10,000 for the fight against blood cancers this year.

"I run for those who can't," says Tom. "And I will never stop until we find a cure."

Valerie Plant first became involved with Team In Training (TNT) in 2004, when she participated in a triathlon. Little did she know how personal her involvement would become.

In 2007, Valerie was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). After years of fighting, Valerie started to show improvement in her blood counts in early 2010. That June, Valerie received an email from TNT recruiting her for El Tour de Tucson.

"This was a sign for me," says Valerie. "If I could make it through the 15 weeks of training and survive a 109 mile bike ride, I could survive anything and help show others they could, too." Valerie went on to earn her Triple Crown Status and compete in the 2012 Arizona Ironman. "TNT has been a gift to me...and I've never looked back," says Valerie.

John McAndrew was looking for a way to contribute to something larger than himself. A friend suggested Team In Training (TNT). John had lost friends and family to cancer and knew some survivors. Plus, he thought it would be a great way to get in shape.

Not only did John complete a century ride, but he's in training for his second. So far he's raised about $4,400 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

"It's a beautiful way to see the world," says John, "to see the people on the streets who have needed help and those who have helped them. In the process of saving lives, TNT changes the lives of others."

Denverlee Paquette's daughter, Dakota, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age 4, a week before starting preschool.

Denverlee was already running half marathons, and during the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathon to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in San Diego, she discovered Team In Training (TNT).

"I looked at the total strangers in a sea of purple jerseys and knew that once life started getting back to normal, I needed to join Team In Training," Denverlee says.

Denverlee recently completed her first full marathon with TNT, and she is now a Team In Training captain for the summer season.

After relocating to a new area for work, Melissa Olsen was having a hard time adjusting to the move. A friend sent her a link to Team In Training (TNT). Melissa had been involved with Light The Night® Walk in memory of her father, who lost his battle with AML.

Through TNT, Melissa got the courage to attempt a triathlon. The program also helped her overcome her fear of open water.

"Nothing makes me happier than being able to complete all of these events with such a great program," says Melissa, "all while raising money and awareness so that someone out there has a better fighting chance than my dad did. His courage throughout his battle gives me the strength to train, to fight and to keep the faith."