The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Local Fundraising Participants Inspire Discovery and Help Save Lives

(Caldwell, 9/15/17) – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) New Jersey chapter has officially kicked off their 2017/2018 fundraising campaign for the NJ Marathon event weekend, and local participating team, Caldwell TEAM R4C are aiming to reach even higher this year with Team In Training’s (TNT) lineup of innovative, high-caliber events in running, cycling and triathlon offerings, with expert coaches who bring dedication and commitment to the program. TNT is helping LLS’s goal to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to lifesaving treatments by expanding ways for participants to turn training into treatment. In addition to celebrating a 10-year milestone, Caldwell TEAM R4C is looking to raise $100,000 this year and name an LLS research portfolio in honor of fellow teammate Tim Drost for Hairy Cell Leukemia.

TNT is the flagship fundraising campaign for LLS, the world’s largest non-profit health organization dedicated to finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for all blood cancer patients, LLS relies on this iconic program to generate funds for its mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Participants join to make friends and have fun as part of a supportive team; to support cancer research and help patients live better, longer lives; to benefit from high-caliber coaching that helps achieve goals; and to get fit. Many participants are survivors or train in honor of a loved one who has been touched by cancer.

Caldwell residents and devoted TNT Alumni Carolynn O’Brien and Jesus Navarro started a community team in honor of their brother-in-law, Tim Drost, who was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia. The team started with 3 members and has grown to more than 30 members in a single season, with over 100 total members in the past 7 years having been a part of the team. The team has raised over $438,000 since they began in 2008, and is looking to surpass a half-million dollars by the end of this 10^th year.

This year, the team will be training for the Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k and 2-person half marathon relay. The team will be will be hosting an event to recruit more members to their team and for those looking to learn more about Team In Training on Wednesday October 18^th at 6:30pm at The Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell, NJ. To RSVP email Carolyn at cobrien@graphics-connection.com.

To donate to Caldwell TEAM R4C visit their fundraising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nj/nj18/caldwellteamr4c

To register with Team Caldwell use code CALDWELL18 for free registration: https://registration.teamintraining.org/event-search

To learn more about Team Caldwell, Team In Training and the NJ Marathon event, call 908.956.6643 or email Margo at Margarita.Cianchetta@lls.org.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency
dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.