#TNTBECAUSE: Meet Jim Hogan

We are continuing our series on the blog with interviewing current Team In Training (TNT) participants. Today we are chatting with Jim Hogan of Fort Worth.  He is an avid runner who has completed several marathons, ultra-marathons and triathlons. Jim has been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) since 2009 where he currently serves on our North Texas Board of Directors, the Links for Leukemia Golf Tournament committee and is an active participant in the Light The Night Campaign.  Jim is currently training with Team In Training for the 2017 Boston Marathon and will be one of only two TNT participants representing Texas!

1. What made you decide to run Boston Marathon?

As an aging “injury prone” marathon runner, The Boston Marathon is the most prestigious marathon you can participate in.  I lost my mother to brain cancer last year and that inspired me to really start training again so that I could complete this final run, and what a marathon to end on! 

Jim's mom, Judy Hogan

2. What does it mean to you that you secured one of the coveted spots for this race?

As a runner it’s achieving Mt Everest! I am honored and blessed to be able to participate in one of the world’s greatest sporting events.  It’s very hard to be able to put into words how it feels knowing that in a few weeks I will be able to say that I am a Boston Marathon finisher.  I have come close to qualifying several times so knowing that it’s actually happening is quite surreal.  To top it all off I not only get to check off one from the bucket list, but get to do it representing a cause that I have been a part of for 8 years. I am so honored to get to run and represent LLS and TNT.

3. What got you involved with Team In Training?

I was introduced to TNT through work associates.  Being a runner for many years I really enjoyed the idea of being a part of a team and running for a cause.

Jim running the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon

4. Finish this sentence, I do “TNTBecause…”

I do TNT because others are not able to. And what I mean by that is as I got more involved with LLS we get the opportunity to visit hospitals and meet children and parents who are affected by blood cancers.  I run for them!

5. Anything else interesting that you would like to tell us?
 

I have 3 awesome boys who keep me insanely busy.  I am surrounded by family and a great group friends who support me in all of my endeavors and craziness.  I am a very lucky man!

Jim's sons

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It's not too late to join Jim and the TEAM this season.  Register for an event today.
www.teamintraining.org

MWOY Candidate: Loan Huynh

Loan Huynh, a two-time leukemia survivor and member of the North Texas Board of Trustees, is currently fundraising as a candidate of the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign.  She has been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for a number of years as the Big D Climb co-chair and patient access volunteer.  Below she talks about how you can support her MWOY fundraising efforts.

"As a two-time blood cancer survivor, I know firsthand the benefit of research around this often deadly disease and am grateful to be LIVING proof that the research funded by LLS is working!  

For the last eight years, I have dedicated myself to working to help fund the research of the best and brightest blood cancer researchers around the world.  As an AML survivor, I see the investment LLS is making into defeating this incredibly deadly disease through their Beat AML initiative and am honored to be able to contribute to the effort to cure the disease that tried to take my life ...twice!

Want to help me?  It's easy and delicious!  Meet me at Twisted Root Burger Company at the Shops at Legacy in Plano, TX on Saturday, June 10th between 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. and 10% of all food purchased during that time will benefit my fundraising efforts.  Mention LLS at checkout and your meal will not only go towards my MWOY fundraising efforts but towards funding much needed cures for blood cancers.

Learn more about me and this event on my MWOY fundraising page.  I hope to see you, your friends and family at Twisted Root on June 4th.  Just think - for just one day, one delicious cheeseburger at a time, we can help support people fighting cancer!"

The North Texas Man & Woman of the Year campaign wraps up with a black tie Grand Finale Gala on Saturday, June 18th.  Reserve your table today.

North Texas Man & Woman of the Year: Meet the Candidates

The 2016 MWOY candidates at kickoff.
(L-R) Michael Leyton, Amanda Whitelaw, George Meza,
Loan Huynh, Shannon Ridley, Leigh Costa, Dr. Brian Berryman
(missing: Jeanne Buck)

North Texas Man & Woman of the Year Chair Kim Alexander introduced the 2016 candidates at Sambuca during the official MWOY kickoff on April 12th.  We are pleased to introduce you to this group of dynamic and driven candidates who will spend the next nine weeks campaigning on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  

Dr. Brian Berryman  

Dr. Berryman is the attending physician for the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Services at Baylor University Medical Center and is the Medical Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Services at Medical City Hospital Dallas. He also serves as a member of the North Texas Medical Advisory Board.

Michael Leyton

Michael is the owner of his own business, MLeyton Co and works as a freelance marketing specialist in the Dallas area. Michael and his sister are both blood cancer survivors.

George Meza  

George is a senior manager at Accenture and a survivor of follicular B Cell lymphoma. He is also a longtime cycle coach for LLS’s Team In Training Program and a member of the North Texas Board of Trustees.

Shannon Ridley

Shannon is an Account Executive with Amazon Web Services and is running in memory of his brother who fought and lost his battle against multiple myeloma.

Jeanne Buck

Jeanne works for Takeda Pharmaceuticals which produces multiple blood cancer related drugs, including drugs specifically geared towards multiple myeloma. Jeanne is participating in honor of her brother who is a lymphoma survivor. 

Leigh Costa  

Leigh owns her own sports marketing firm, Costa Sports Marketing, and donated her bone marrow back in 2014 to help a patient battling leukemia.

Loan Huynh. 

Loan is an account manager for Imagine! Print Solutions and is a two-time leukemia survivor.  She serves on the North Texas Board of Trustees.

Amanda Whitelaw

Meet Woman of the Year candidate, Amanda Whitelaw.   Amanda serves as Vice President of New Business Development at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and is running in honor of anyone currently feeling the negative impact of a cancer diagnosis.

Meet The Man Behind the Camera

Meet Mark Lenz.  He's the man behind the camera at a number of events for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  If you have ever looked at the pictures after a race, walk or climb and felt like you were there; it's because Mark's creativity behind the lens captures the essence of the event and the teams participating.  He is a longtime member of the North Texas Board of Trustees and also serves on the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament committee.

Tell us about your history with LLS in North Texas.

My friend, Jim Willis, was diagnosed with leukemia in the mid 1990s and I played in the first Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament that he started with fellow blood cancer patient Bob Barker in 1997.  Bob is still with us, but Jim is not.  I stay involved to support Bob, who has fought the good fight and still is doing so.  After volunteering on the golf committee for years, I was approached to join the board of trustees and have been involved with the board since 2002.

Since I started volunteering with LLS in 1997, I have experienced blood cancers in my extended family.  My cousin’s daughter passed away at the age of nine, just after starting treatment for her blood cancer and another cousin has chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Participation with LLS has become a family affair.  Tell us more about that.

My father has participated in the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament for many years and has encouraged his friends to get involved.  My wife, Patti, has participated in or volunteered in several events over the years, including many years in the School and Youth program when our children were still in school.  My son, Brian, has volunteered at the golf tournament several times and has participated in the Big D Climb.

What makes photographing LLS events so challenging?

There is so much going on and trying to find something that tells the story amidst all of the chaos is the challenge.  The group shots and the actual event shots are always part of what I do, but finding something special that says why we raise money to fight the fight without needing words is what I try to look for.  And it is not always there or easy to find in a large group of people.

Rewarding?

Being able to interact with participants in the events and learn their stories, even if just briefly, and thanking them for their participation since they take time out of their schedules to be there instead of doing something else.  Hopefully I can take shots that they will share with their friends and family to show what we do and maybe get more participants the next time, or shots that the LLS can use to market what we do in a more productive way.

Which are your favorite pictures from events?

Photos that tell a story without words, like the photo of the boy with the tag saying I am walking for my mommy from Fort Worth Light The Night Walk a few years ago, or the boy with white lantern on his father’s shoulders in Fort Worth a couple weeks ago.  (White lanterns are carried by survivors, red by supporters and gold in honor of those who have lost their battle with a blood cancer.)  Otherwise, it is groups or individuals that really show they back the cause, because of what they are wearing, or a sign created for the event, or just how they act.

You can see more of Mark's photos on our Facebook page.  Like us today and follow along with Mark's incredible work.

Man of the Year Candidate: Keith Pearson

Meet Keith Pearson.  Keith is a longtime supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a member of the North Texas Board of Trustees and now a candidate in the inaugural Man of the Year campaign.  Below he talks about what initially brought him to LLS and what he has planned to raise the most money during this 10-week fundraising blitz.

Name:
Keith D. Pearson

Occupation:
CEO of a Retained Executive Search Firm and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Texas Chapter of LLS.

Connection to blood cancers:
 I have a personal connection, since my wife’s late grandmother was a victim, and a close family friend also died from it. His father passed away a short time later, from what I believe was a broken heart. Personally seeing and feeling the horrific effects of these diseases really left a strong impression on me, and I wanted to help support finding a cure. - See more at: http://www.pearsonpartnersintl.com/keith-pearson-lls/#sthash.bgMjbTup.dpuf

Why do you support LLS:
After the loss of my friend to the leukemia, I decided to join Team in Training and enter the Oklahoma City marathon. Team in Training helps you to organize your campaign and solicit donations to the Society from your network. In turn they provide training, travel costs, race entry fees and a race day jersey, which I am wearing in the picture above as I crossed the finish line. I’ve been an avid runner since the mid-1990s. I ran the NYC marathon in 1997 and 1999 and have completed several marathons and ultrathons  since then. For years I had wanted to do one through Team in Training so all of my hard work would benefit others as well as myself.  One night I went to Central Market to learn about the Team in Training opportunity and sign up. The next morning, I had a previously scheduled breakfast with a friend who turned out to be a board member of LLS. He asked me if I’d consider serving on the board. This was shortly after the passing of my friend and his father. It seemed to me to be a sign, and that the timing was right.  I currently serve as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Texas Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Campaign Strategy:
My campaign strategy is to reach out to my network of friends, clients and candidates and share my story.  My network of friends has followed me through a number of campaigns for LLS and my personal obsession with ultrathons.

Upcoming Fundraising Events to Benefit Your Campaign:
I am not hosting an event but if you would like to support my campaign you could buy a table, a ticket or sponsor package and join us at the Grand Finale Gala at the Westin Galleria Hotel on May 30^th. 

Why Should you be the Man of the Year in North Texas:
It would be a tremendous honor to be the inaugural North Texas LLS Man of the Year.  Since this is first year to have the Man and Woman of the Year event in Dallas we all want to make a major impression nationally.

Where can people follow your success/events during this 10 week campaign:
  http://www.mwoy.org/pages/ntx/dfw15/kpearson

Thankful Thursday: "I am a Survivor"

The North Texas staff celebrates Don Armstrong's 7th bone
marrow transplant birthday with him in mid-May.

For me a diagnosis of cancer has been life changing and quite frankly the best thing that ever happened to me. Sounds crazy I know, however it is so true. I am a survivor for a reason!

I have been on an extraordinary, inspiring journey the past seven years. This journey began with the surprising diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on September 14, 2005. I didn't understand why I got this disease. In fact, I didn't even really know what leukemia was at the time. I learned quickly and was determined to get to the other side of my treatment.

Like so many individuals who are diagnosed with a blood cancer, I had no thought that I might be ill. There were signs and symptoms of my illness but they only made sense after my diagnosis. This is common to many patients as there are no real predictors that determine the onset of blood cancers. I've learned that these diseases are very indiscriminate in whom they touch and my diagnosis could happen to any of us.

My first round of chemo was successful.  After 30 days in the hospital I was released in remission from the AML, and for me, there was a sense of relief. However, for my future survivorship, my doctor determined that a stem cell transplant was needed to eliminate any future recurrence of leukemia. I had four additional rounds of chemo, which included another hospital stay and three rounds of chemo as an out patient.  This harsh treatment kept me in remission while doctors located a donor for me. There were notable moments for me during the five rounds of chemo: some real lows and some huge triumphs along the way which taught me tremendous life lessons. Most importantly, on May 12, 2006, eight months after my diagnosis, I was blessed with a stem cell transplant and a new start on life with a fresh perspective!

While I was going through treatment I didn't have any idea that Team in Training (TNT) existed. TNT found me while checking out The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's (LLS) website one evening in March 2007. I registered for an information meeting to learn more about the program and then went to a kick-off event. The kick-off was so exciting and encouraging that I signed up for the 2007 San Diego Rock n Roll marathon. The event was an absolutely fabulous experience and set me on a journey that has included multiple TNT marathons around the world. The participant's sacrifice and dedication is so inspiring to me. I remain amazed at the transformation of so many individuals make from couch potato to endurance athlete. My most vivid memory of my TNT experience(s) has been that people are willing to sign up and work so hard to raise money to find a cure for blood cancer.

I quickly reached a point in my journey that I wanted to know what else I could do for LLS and the Society's mission to find a cure and support patient services. Several years ago that desire became a reality as I was asked to join the North Texas Board of Trustees. Being a part of this committed group of individuals has been an uplifting, eye opening experience for me. The Board is so dedicated to collectively meet and exceed the mission of LLS.

Recently, I was asked to serve as the Chairman of the newly formed North Texas TNT Executive Leadership Committee. Excited and honored, I accepted this opportunity. This has been a rewarding experience as I've met countless volunteers that have stepped up in support of the current and future direction of the North Texas TNT program.

I am confident that we are close to finding a cure for blood cancer. We couldn't make this a reality without the staff and volunteers. Thank you to everyone that supports LLS. Together we are making a difference!

"SOMEDAY IS TODAY!"

Freebie Friday: Meet Mark Lenz, Board of Trustees Member

Mark Lenz, center, shakes hands with old friends at the
2011 Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament.

My introduction to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society came rather abruptly in 1995 when a friend and former colleague of mine was diagnosed with leukemia.　 Up until then, I did not personally know anybody that had been diagnosed with cancer, much less a cancer of the blood.　 Jim Willis and I worked together at Arthur Anderson for several years before his diagnosis.　

During that fight against leukemia, Jim met Bob Barker, another leukemia patient at UT Southwestern and avid golfer.　 Together, they decided to combine their love of golf with the personal battles they were both waging to beat leukemia. 　The first Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament was held in the Spring of 1997 and all of the proceeds benefited The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and its mission to find a cure for blood cancers.　 The tournament was made up of a small group of dedicated people who stood behind Jim and Bob and their fight to beat leukemia.　 Sadly, shortly after the first event Jim lost his battle, leaving behind his wife and two young children.　 Bob, along with Jim’s family and friends, used his passing as motivation to grow the tournament and continue to give money to LLS in Jim’s honor.　　 What had started as a golf tournament took on a much deeper purpose for all of the golfers involved.

I played in and fundraised for the golf tournament in Jim’s honor the first couple of years but it was not enough.　 I wanted to do more.　 It was then that I decided to join the Links Fore Leukemia Golf tournament committee and work with a team of people to plan and execute the tournament.　 We worked relentlessly to recruit new sponsors, attract golfers and make it one of Dallas/Fort Worth’s most exclusive golf tournaments.　 Every person who has ever served on the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament committee or supported our event is proud of the tournament, what it represents and the impact it is having on the cutting-edge research LLS is funding.　

Not long after I got involved with the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament’s committee, I took the next step and joined the Board of Trustees for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.　 This is a role I have served in for the last several years.　

I am proud to say that Jim’s tournament co-founder, Bob Barker, survived his battle with leukemia and remains very involved with the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament.　 He is instrumental in recruiting sponsors and players and carrying on the true mission of the event.　 Bob still suffers from a number of serious side effects following his bone marrow transplant many years ago but that has not dampened his spirit and determination to find a cure for blood cancers.　　 He will at the 2013 Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament on Monday, May 6^th.　 I have never seen anyone work harder for the cause and not feel sorry for the hand he has been dealt.　

Recently, I have been able to put one of my other passions to work for LLS.　 I took up photography several years ago and enjoy the challenge of making images tell a story.　 LLS events in North Texas provide me an opportunity to capture many different stories; whether it’s　 a recovering patient, a long term survivor, a family honoring the memory of a lost loved one.　　 I have taken photos at the Big D Climb, the Leukemia Cup Regatta, the Lonestar Blood Cancer Conference and at the Light the Night walks in Fort Worth and Dallas.　 I hope that some of the images will tell a story that will inspire others to participate in LLS events.

The main reason I continue to work with the Board of Trustees and on the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament is to help raise funds and awareness so that those survivors like Bob can have a better chance at a normal life and that more blood cancer patients can join Bob as a survivor.

Registration for the 2013 Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament Presented by Safety-Kleen is now open.  Click here to register and learn more about the tournament on Monday, May 6th.  Golfers will tee off on both the Old American and The Tribute Golf Courses in this scramble tournament.  Reserve your spot today! 

Freebie Friday: Meet Greg Clarkson, President of the North Texas Board of Trustees

Greg and his son, Ryan, volunteering the
morning of the 2013 Big D Climb

Greg Clarkson, President of the North Texas Board of Trustees, shares in his own words why he is involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.



We are all called to volunteer at some time during our lives. I urge you to answer the calling. It is an opportunity to use your talents and resources in a way that helps your neighbor, your community, or a stranger in need. My calling was to the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). I am finishing my sixth year as a member of the Board of Trustees and serving my final year as President of the Board. As I make the transition from an active Board member to the Advisory Board, I have taken a moment to reflect on how I became involved with the Society and it's mission to cure blood cancer.

I have not personally had the pain of losing a family member to blood cancer or any cancer for that matter. Prior to becoming a Board member, I did not know anyone that had leukemia or lymphoma nor did I even know that these were afflictions of the blood. I didn't spend much time in hospitals or around doctors or sick people. I am in the banking industry and manage a nationwide small business lending unit for BBVA Compass in Dallas Texas. Our bank used LLS' Light the Night function as our annual employee participation event. This gave our employees a chance to raise money for a charitable cause while remembering friends and family members that had been impacted by the disease. We would all gather with other fundraisers during an October evening and literally Light the Night with glowing balloons honoring those who have fought the cancer fight. This is how it started for me.

After meeting the LLS staff at the North Texas Chapter I knew that these were the people that had the energy and the desire to tirelessly fundraise, educate, and work for the cause. After meeting the scientists and doctors, I knew that this was the cutting edge research at the headwaters of all cancer breakthroughs. This is a disease that can attack anybody at anytime. There is no early warning, no lifestyle change, no preventive maintenance. There is only the need for a cure. So, we volunteers reach out to our friends, family, co-workers, customers, and communities, to help us raise funds for research and a cure. We ask for time, we ask for money, we ask for donation items, or we ask for a moment to tell you about someone that has touched our lives. If not by their name, at least by the way we remember the expression on their face as they traveled on their cancer journey.

During my tenure, I have seen things that would make your hair stand up on end and I have seen things that would make your hair fall out. I have seen the hair grow back and the smiles return. I have seen life renewed and living regained. I have seen the dedication and selflessness of healthcare workers, volunteers, fundraisers, researchers, and legislative advocates. I have seen family and friends, young and old, search for the words to answer the question "why me?".  I volunteered to fill a need and that need remains great.

If you feel it is time to volunteer, don't wait any longer. Even if you have not been personally impacted by blood cancer or fear you cannot make a difference, I can assure you that your efforts will be honored. It is the most rewarding thing you will experience. So take the first step and give T

This month The Dallas Morning News ran an article about a breakthrough treatment that cured a particularly nasty form of leukemia in a few patients. The article was a reminder that everyday somebody is being cured of blood cancer. Someday, everybody will be cured of blood cancer. Let's make that someday, today.