Almost a year ago, Flower Mound resident David Coward heard the words everyone fears: Your friend has cancer.
His friend, Mike Williams, also from Flower Mound, was diagnosed with Acute Pro Myeloid Leukemia at the age of 46.
The father of two went through two months of intense treatment before he heard the news that he was in remission. Williams is now cancer free and enjoying the life he almost lost.
In Williams’ honor, Coward has signed up to participate in the Nike Half Marathon in San Francisco on October 16.
During the five months of mental and physical preparation that goes in to training for the 13.1 mile marathon event, Coward hopes to raise almost $2,400 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society though his Team in Training webpage.
Coward said that he was encouraged to participate in the marathon by his sister, Laura Coward of Dallas, who is also running in the Nike Half Marathon and has set a $3,200 fundraising goal for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing financial aid to patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $640 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma.
As the world’s largest endurance sports training program, Team In Training is the premier fundraising campaign for LLS.
Since the program’s launch in 1988, TNT has trained more than 500,000 athletes, regardless of endurance level or experience. Today, Team In Training participants in the United States and Canada have raised more than $1 billion to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s blood cancer research and patient services initiatives.
“Team In Training helps participants take on seemingly impossible challenges, while giving them the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives,” said Misty Aguero, TNT Director. “It is an exciting time to join a program that has changed the lives of not only the recipients of LLS support, but also the participants, who devote so much time and energy into such a noble cause.”
The North Texas Chapter of LLS is currently recruiting teams throughout the Metroplex for new events, including El Tour De Tucson in November, the White Rock Marathon and Half Marathon in Dallas in December, the Latin Music Half Marathon in Miami in December, and the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon in Orlando in January.
For more information about Team In Training, call the North Texas chapter at 972-354-TEAM; or visit: www.teamintraining.org/ntx.
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