North Texas Staff Dallas Marathon Relay Team: Time

L to R: Stacey Russell (Deputy Executive Director) Patricia Thomson
(Executive Director), Kacy Lowe (Director of Development, Michael Iyescas 
(School & Youth Manager), Tiffany Valeri (Light The Night Manager)

For the first time in the history of the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), five staff members are teaming up to participate in the Dallas Marathon - Relay for Team In Training (TNT).  They are already fundraising and training for their leg of the race but are facing their own individual challenges.  Today Stacey Russell, North Texas Chapter's Deputy Executive Director, talks about her main concern: time.

"GO TEAM!  Find the time! 

Each time I decide to do another event for LLS, I think…I don’t have the time to do this!  I think that every day when I am trying to find the time to run a few miles, lets be honest, even one mile.  With the dailies that life brings to each of us including myself, this is what I struggle with the most as I train for the LLS staff relay Dallas Marathon team is TIME. 

I am excited about the race, but I have to say my training is lacking due to time.  As a working mom juggling my important job here at LLS, being a wife, a mom, chauffeuring to various school and sporting activities with my children, spending time with my family and friends is what I long to do.  But isn't that the same for everyone?  The saying goes you make the time for what is important.  I do make the time for all of those things and I have committed to make time to train for the relay this year to help in the fight against blood cancers.  Why?  Because as I write this, I am reflective in thinking…'really, Stacey, you don’t have enough time?'  The amount of time I have doesn’t even compare to the time that  families would give for the loved ones lost to blood cancer, the time that it takes a patient to go through chemotherapy that they wish the didn't have to go through, the moment in time that someone hears the words that they were diagnosed with a blood cancer.  In the amount of time I can run three miles, 11 people will have been diagnosed with a blood cancer and four will have lost their battle. 

I do have the time to race, to train, to fundraise, to reflect, to care, to help make a difference.  So can you…take the time to join LLS in the fight as we work towards a world without blood cancers.  

Find the time!  GO TEAM!"

Inspired by Stacy?  There is still time to create your own relay team for the Dallas Marathon.  Learn more at www.teamintraining.org/ntx

Did You Know: Information Resource Center

North Texas Deputy Executive Director
Stacey Russell (left) with Executive Director
Patricia Thomson (right).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers a number of support services for blood cancer patients and their families, one of which is the Information Resource Center.  Stacey Russell, the North Texas Deputy Executive Director, recently took advantage of the system and sent the following email out to the North Texas Staff.

"Hi everyone,

If you did not know or have not utilized the Information Resource Center (IRC) yourself, you should!  I called today to ask for assistance in finding out about a new clinical trial option for one of our long time supporters whose husband is battling myeloma.  I started with the IRC because they have an amazing clinical trial search right there online.  I tried navigating the website myself, however, it asks for personal information about the patient for eligibility and I did not have that information.  So I picked up the phone and called the IRC.  I have worked at LLS for 13 years and this is the first time I have ever called this line and I don't know why I waited - it was incredible!  

I spoke with Beatrice at the IRC about a couple clinical trial options.  She didn't have the exact information I needed (start date, application process, etc.) but said she would find out and get back to me.  She did and sent me two emails with two different clinical trial options and an article about more information on immunotherapy for myeloma.  Absolutely amazing!  Part of what we do everyday makes the IRC possible and what if, just what if, it works for them!  Miracles in the making, at least let’s hope!  

Thank you all!

Stacey"

We encourage you to reach out to the IRC if you have questions about any of the following:
- Clinical Trials
- Updated disease information
- Financial matters
- Education materials
- Patient education programs
- LLS discussion boards
- Help communicating with a member of your healthcare team

The IRC is open from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm EST for calls at (800) 955-4572.  If you don't feel like talking on the phone, you can chat online or send an email.  Interpreters are available in 170 different languages.

We encourage you to take advantage of this resource.