Dallas Light The Night Memorial Hero: Doug Campbell

Doug Campbell's remarkable life is honored at the 2015 Light
The Night Walk with a gold ribbon at the LLS Mission Tent

The Dallas 2016 Light The Night Memorial Hero is a North Texas man who led a remarkable life despite living in the shadow of an incurable blood cancer.  Doug's story continues to inspire and motivate the people who had the chance to hear him share his struggle and his joy for life in person.  This past September, Douglas M. Campbell, Ph.D., age 52, lost his 15-year battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Doug was many things - a repeat Team In Training athlete, Light The Night participant, Mission Task Force co-chair, cancer advocate, inspiring honored hero, champion volunteer, scientist and friend,  but the role he was most proud of was that of a loving husband and father to his three beautiful girls.  He often cited his family as his motivation to not only fight to survive his disease and its side effects, but to live life to its fullest. He noted his top goals were to see his daughters graduate from high school, then college, one day walk them down the aisle and maybe even meet his grandchildren.  He did see his oldest daughter graduate and go on to study chemistry like her dad. Unfortunately, he passed away just shy of seeing his second child graduate this year and will most certainly be there in spirit for the many future milestones his girls will reach.

His wife, Stacey, and their three daughters are continuing what their family began when Doug was first diagnosed in 2000.  They are steadfast in their dedication to helping fulfill the LLS vision of a world without blood cancers and registered their Walkers for Hope team for the 2016 Light The Night Walk, the family’s 16th consecutive Light the Night Walk, setting a goal of raising $100,000 in Doug's memory.

The $100,000 fundraising goal is significant to the Campbell family because that will allow them to name a LLS research grant in Doug's honor. “The cure is out there. As a gifted chemist, Doug was always about the research and the science. It seems only fitting to set this goal to memorialize Doug Campbell's intellect, courage, strength and pure will to live life well every day of his 15- year battle. Our hope is to get us one step closer to saving another daddy from leaving his girls too soon.” shares Stacey.
We are honored to have Doug Campbell serve as the 2016 Memorial Hero for the Dallas Mega Walk. We could not think of a more deserving representative for the work still to be done.  Inspired by Doug's story?  You can register to participate in the upcoming Walks by registering at www.lightthenight.org/ntx

Meet the Coach: George Meza

George Meza is the cycle coach for the upcoming Team In Training Winter Season.  Learn more about George and his coaching style below.

1.  How long have you been coaching with TNT and what was your first event?

I have been coaching Team In Training cycling for four years.  My first event with Team In Training was the Shiner Texas 100 Mile Century Ride in 2006.  The achievement of completing a century ride was fantastic but contributing to the mission of finding a cure for blood cancers was the great reward.  It is that mission that will keep me coaching and participating until a cure is found.

2.  What is your style of coaching?

My number one priority as a coach is to ensure that each participant crosses the finish line safely and with a sense of achievement.  Safety is something that can not be compromised and we practice to adhere to safety throughout our training season.

3. Some people are intimidated by the idea of training for a century ride.  What advice would you give them?

Challenge yourself to accomplish something that you will remember and be proud of the rest of your life.

4.  Is there an Honored Hero that has left a lasting impact on  you?  Who and why?

I have met many inspiring Honored Heroes throughout my eight years with Team In Training.  However, Doug Campbell is the person that I think about frequently.  Doug has fought a personal battle against blood cancer for 10+ years and has defied all odds.  While we celebrate completing endurance events, Doug is winning the most challenging endurance event, the personal fight against blood cancer.  Whenever I feel challenged by training or competing I simply think about the challenges Doug has faced over the last decade and it provides me the perspective to keep moving forward and to train harder.

5. What is the best kept secret about Team In Training?

Team In Training is not just about completing an endurance event, it is a life changing experience.  The combination of physical achievement, developing life-long friendships, and contributing to the mission of finding a cure for blood cancers is something a participant will cherish forever.

6.  What is the best training advice have you ever received?

Ride for those that have lost their battle against a blood cancer, those who are currently in a battle, and those who do not yet know they will be in a battle.  These words of advice help me conquer the mental and physical challenges presented by endurance training and competing.

Join Coach George this Winter Season