You're Invited: Blood Cancer Community Social

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) invites you to attend an interactive dinner, education and networking event in honor of Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.  The North Texas Myeloma Support Group will open the program with a mission moment form a myeloma survivor.  Then, Katie Narvarte, LMSW and survivorship navigator for Medical City/Sarah Cannon, will talk about the many faces of survivorship and how to honor your own experience.  Finally, Don Armstrong, AML survivor and motivational speaker, will share strategies he learned from his cancer journey.

Everyone is welcome to attend this complimentary event.  Survivors, caregivers, families and friends will all walk away from something from this interactive event.

Details:

Wednesday, March 15th

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

LLS North Texas Chapter - Dallas Office

8111 LBJ Fwy., Ste 425

Dallas, TX 75251

Complimentary dinner will be provided.

Registration for this FREE program is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Space is limited!

For more information contact Seetha Modi at seetha.modi@lls.org or (972) 996-5905.

Finish YOUR Race: An Interview With the Author

Don Armstrong, a leukemia survivor and ardent volunteer and advocate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), released his book Finish YOUR Race earlier today.  (Purchase it now on Amazon.)  It chronicles his journey from the moment he heard "you have cancer" to now.  His stories will inspire people with strategies and lessons he learned to accomplish their goals.  

Below Don answers a couple questions about the book and what compelled him to write it.

Why did you feel the desire to write this book?

I faced an illness eleven years ago that could have taken my life. My cancer journey was filled with uncertainty and challenges that tested me on a daily basis.  I learned a lot about myself and life on this journey.  I wrote Finish YOUR Race to share the extraordinary lessons and strategies I learned during my journey.  I won’t want anyone to experience what I did with cancer, however, I would like everyone to know what I learned along the way.

What about this book is different than other motivational books?

This is a terrific question with a fairly simple answer.  I lived every minute of every hour of every day of this journey. My book is about real life experiences of this journey and the impact it had on me.  This journey changed almost everything about me – priorities, goals, directions and motivations.  I share these revelations in hopes that they will have a positive impact on the reader.

           

What do you hope people will take away from this book?

Setback can affect all of our lives to varying degrees. It is my hope that the reader will be equipped with strategies to empower their life and overcome any setback.  In the final analysis it’s not the setback but the way it’s handled that determines who we are in this world. Ultimately, it’s never too late to make a difference in yourself and others.  With courage, focus, and a positive spirit, you can discover, or rediscover, what living your best life means to you.

How did LLS play a role in your story?

The advancements made by LLS, since it was founded in 1949, made it possible for me to be alive today.  All of the dollars raised since 1949 led to the advancements such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation and so much more.  I don’t know that I would be here today if it wasn’t for the advancements and successes of LLS.

Don is donating 10% of his book sales TODAY to LLS.  Pick up your copy online by clicking here.

Honored Hero Run: A Hero Has a Heart

"A Hero Has a Heart" is the theme of the 2015 Honored Hero Run to benefit the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  The girl behind the theme, 10-year-old Katie Grace, knows firsthand that it takes heart to beat a blood cancer diagnosis.  She was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) while she was in fifth grade.

After diagnosis Katie's doctors laid out a plan that involved a month of chemotherapy with the goal of getting her into remission after 30 days, to be followed by 2.5 years of maintenance treatments.  When she failed to respond as doctors had anticipated, she was placed in the "very high risk" category.  This classification meant higher doses of chemo, radiation and a bone marrow transplant.  Katie's family was devastated.

One month later the news improved.  After more than a month on this physically and emotionally trying treatment plan, doctors declared Katie was in remission and she could move forward with a bone marrow transplant.  Luckily for her, a donor already on the bone marrow registry was a 100% match and she was able to have her transplant with no delay.  Katie's family is thankful for her health as she continues to grow stronger every day and her body continues to respond favorably to the bone marrow transplant.

When the Honored Hero Run Board of Directors saw her entry for the 2015 t-shirt competition, they knew they had found their winner.  Her creation (shown at the bottom of this post) will be featured on all of the participant and volunteer race shirts as well as on the official Honored Hero Run website.

The Honored Hero Run is only eight days away but there is still time to register.  The money raised from this race will be used to help improve the quality of treatment that young patients, like Katie, receive after a blood cancer diagnosis.

Honored Hero Run: An Introduction

Team Funkytown at the 2014 Honored Hero Run in Fort Worth

Fort Worth's Honored Hero Run is a labor of love by a group of dedicated volunteers, many of which are local Team in Training alumni, dedicated to creating an event to raise money for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and honor local blood cancer patients.  In the last six years, this race has given LLS more than $118,000 with $30,350 donated just last year.

This race stands apart from other multi-race events (it offers a 20 mile run, half marathon, 10k, 5k and award-winning 1k kid's race) because every element of the event comes back to its Honored Heroes. Event organizers describe an Honored Hero is a child or adult who is currently in treatment or a survivor of cancer.  These North Texas Honored Hero play a number of critical roles in the planning and execution of this yearly event.  Honored Heroes design the race logo (it changes each year), creates the finisher medals for all of the races, serve as volunteers along the different courses and speak during the kickoff and award presentation on the race day.

Race Director Don Armstrong, a leukemia survivor, is adamant about highlighting the young Honored Heroes in every element of the event.  "It was our intention to make this event all about the trials and successes of our young Honored Heroes from day one," Armstrong says.  "They are the real reason we (the board of directors) have dedicated our time and energy to creating this race.  Hopefully one days we will have to shut down because there will be cures and cancer will be a thing of the past."

This year's Honored Hero Run is Sunday, October 18th at Trinity Park.  All participants from the 5k up to the 20 mile race will receive an official 2015 Honored Hero Run tech shirt and finisher's medal as part of their entry.  Registration is open now at www.honoredherorun.com.

Nine Years Ago Today...

Don Armstrong, a fixture in the North Texas Chapter, shares a story about why May 12th is and will always be an important day for him.  Read why this blood cancer survivor has not one but two birthdays to celebrate.

"Nine years ago this morning I was blessed with a life giving stem cell transplant. I remember the morning like it was yesterday. It was like many other mornings I had experienced at the infusion center of Baylor's Sammons Cancer Center with a low key and routine feeling. Yet there was something very different about the start of this day. For me the atmosphere was charged with an intensity and anticipation of the minutes ahead. I think I was fairly calm on the outside, but inside my heart was racing. I had waited 8 long months for this day. 

In the week preceding the transplant I endured my 5th round of chemo to prepare my body for new stem cells. This was by far the most demanding chemo I had experienced, so I was glad it was over.
Finally, it was time for the "transplant". One of oncology nurses, who I had gotten to know very well, came into the room with what looked like a bag of oatmeal, hung it on the IV pole next to my chair and attached it to my central line. For the next 45 minutes the stem cells slowly dripped through the IV line into my body. Every now and then a nurse would come in to shake up the bag of stem cells to keep them from clogging the opening in the IV bag. That was pretty crazy. 

When the last stem cell entered my body I had a very surreal feeling. I couldn't put my finger on the feeling, however I knew something was going on in my body. 

When the transplant process was done several nurses came into the room and congratulated me by singing "Happy Birthday". For me, this was a new start at life. This was my new "first birthday." 

I thank God everyday for the gift of a life saving transplant. I am truly blessed! I am so grateful to my donor who gave so selflessly to make a difference in my life. For everyone that I am fortunate to call my friend, thank you for your support and love. This has been an extraordinary, inspiring journey! I look forward to celebrating many birthdays ahead. It turns out I really do like birthdays.
Have a terrific day! I know I will! God Bless!"

Don has wasted no time in giving back since his transplant 9 years ago.  He is a Board of Trustees member for the North Texas Chapter, the co-chair of the Mission Task Force Committee, in several leadership positions through Team In Training and the race director for the Honored Hero Run in Fort Worth that benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Honored Hero Run

The Honored Hero Run is a labor of love of several North Texas Team In Training (TNT) alumni who are working to raise awareness and money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) outside of their individual events.  Since the first race in 2008, the popularity of this Fort Worth multi-distance race has exploded.  So has its contributions to LLS - $88,000!

Don Armstrong, the Honored Hero Race Director, has an incredible connection to LLS.  He is a leukemia survivor, North Texas Board of Trustees member, Team In Training alumni and coach and head of the North Texas Mission Committee.  Below he talks about why his team named their event the Honored Hero Run, how it got its start, and why their medals are so special.

How did the Honored Hero Run get its start?

The Honored Hero Run came together in 2008 as a grassroots efforts by a group of local leaders, TNT alumni and friends who wanted to create an event that would bring to the community together in a collective effort to raise awareness and funds for blood cancer research, while honoring those who have battled or are currently battling blood cancers.

Each year the Honored Hero Run Board of Directors visit local hospitals and offers young cancer patients the opportunity to enter a logo contest.  Three winners are chosen: official logo artist (used for all promotional materials), official t-shirt artist (used for participant and volunteer t-shirts), and official sponsor artist (used for race day sponsor board.)  We include local honored heroes because allows the community to be a part of the event and bring light to the  we honor at the race.

Why did you think it was important to create this race?

Founders and current board members are all alumni of Team In Training.  We were looking for another way to raise money to support the LLS mission.

Tell us about this year's race.

All participants will receive a tech shirt and and a finisher's medal.  We have a terrific finish line area with pancakes, hot dogs and more.  This year the In & Out Burger truck will be there to serve delicious burgers and fries.

How much has the Honored Hero Run given to LLS since its inception?

Proudly $88,000

What do you want people to know about this event?

We are all about the experience of a multiple race event with a tremendous amount of community support.  We have a distance for just about everyone (including a 1k fun run for the kids).  All race courses are flat with the 5k and half marathons course certified.  Great atmosphere before, during and after each event.  And here's the best part - participants had the opportunity to make a difference by helping to raise money to find a cure for blood cancer.  Pure awesomeness!

Want to participate?  Registration is still open.

The Honored Hero Run, its event organizers, participants, event sponsors and volunteers are all making a significant impact in LLS's goal of creating a world without blood cancers.  Thank you.

20 Years of Team In Training in North Texas: 2007

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 it's mission to find a cure for blood cancers.  Saturday, Feburary 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 that time, we are going to count down each year of the program leading up to the TNT Alumni "Celebrate You" event on Feburary 8th. 

2007

Four million dollars.  Team In Training athletes across North Texas raised $4 million in 2007 - making it the highest raised in one year in the history of North Texas.  2007 was also the year Don Armstrong first laced up his running shoes for TNT.  He has since been a participant, coach, mentor, honored hero and organizer of the Honored Hero Run to benefit LLS.

What is your favorite memory of TNT?

I don't really have one memory that is my favorite.  My lasting impressions are the purple race shirts (on event day) from around the United States and Canada, the cheers of GO TEAM!, and the inspiration of the Honored Heroes.

What brought you to TNT originally?

I am an AML survivor.  In the spring of 2007 I was searching for a way to become involved with LLS.  I found TNT on the LLS website.  I signed up for an event information meeting in South Fort Worth.  I attended the Kick off for the Summer Season and signed up for the San Diego Rock n Roll marathon.  That event was amazing and I haven't stopped doing events and raising money since June of 2007.

What about TNT makes you keep coming back?

I am optimistic that a cure will be found for blood cancer will be found in the very near future.  I am aware that a cure will be found if we (TNT collectively as a group) continue our fund raising efforts.  The answer to cancer is research and research is driven by the number of dollars we can raise.   

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

I would like to see continued awareness of TNT in North Texas.  I am confident that we (LLS as an organization) can raise more dollars if additional folks know about our mission.  My 20 year stretch goal is be a part of funding and finding a cure for blood cancer.

What was the best part of the 2007 San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon?

The overwhelming support and encouragement from folks around the United States.  

How many events have you done with TNT?

I am training for my 18th event!

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!"