20 Years of Team In Training in North Texas: 1994

2014 is a special year for the North Texas Team In Training (TNT) campaign.  It is celebrating 20 years of running, biking, and hiking to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its mission to find a cure for blood cancers.  Saturday, February 8th TNT will kick off a year of celebrating.  To honor the thousands of North Texas TNT alumni and the millions of dollars they raised in the last 20 years, we are going to count down each year of the program leading up to the TNT Alumni "Celebrate You" event on February 8th. 

1994

In 1994 the first North Texas TNT team ran in the Honolulu Marathon.  Among the first group of TNT athletes was Susan Allen, a blood cancer survivor.  She is now the new Patient Access Education Awareness Manager (formerly known as the Patient Services Manager) for the North Texas Chapter and training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in April.

What is your favorite memory of TNT?

My favorite memories are the friendships I made and how they developed over the miles, the desire to give back and be of help to others.  I am still friends with the people on my team from 20 years ago.

What brought you to TNT originally?

I found TNT through a mailer two years after I finished treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.  It was the perfect "next step" for me.

What about TNT makes you keep coming back?

I've come back to TNT for the overall experience of being a part of an amazing team and working together for a common purpose.  The training and commitment to exercise are secondary benefits.

What do you want to see in the next 20 years for TNT in North Texas?

I want TNT in North Texas to be an opportunity for patient's family members to feel proactive in "fighting" blood cancer, just like the patients do when taking treatment.

What was the best part of the 1994 Honolulu Marathon?

The best part of the event was being the top fundraiser and crossing the finish line with friends and family.

How many events have you done with TNT?
I have done two events - the Honolulu Marathon and Dallas Metro PCS 1/2 marathon.