When I started this journey six years ago, I never would have imagined I would take part in TEN Team In Training events, but losing a great friend can motivate you to do incredible things.
I started this journey back in 2010 not having any connection with leukemia or lymphoma. My good friend and fellow dive instructor Steve was diagnosed with throat cancer and I decided to join Team In Training and ride in his honor. Steve and I had spent four years stationed together at Navy Dive School in Pearl Harbor with a mutual friend Ron. I have many fond memories of my years with such a great group of guys and could go on for hours with all the sea stories.
Four days after signing up for that first event, I heard that Ron had passed away of leukemia. Since that day, I’ve been riding, running and swimming in his memory. I wear a picture of Ron on my back for every event and there have been many times I have wanted to take a break. But all I have to do is to imagine the battle that Ron went through his last few months and how fortunate I am to be healthy enough to be riding my bike and enjoying my day-to-day life with my family.
This year, I started team “Ride-4-Ron” and completed my 10th Team In Training event with BiketheWest at America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. We raised more than $165,000, which was enough to have a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) research grant put in his name. My personal goal is to raise $1 million over five years!
Our efforts will make a difference for others who still are fighting and feeling the effects of these illnesses.
It was one of the great honors of my life to recently stand in front of Ron's wife Debi and daughter Cassie, representing LLS, and see the research award presented in his name.
Chris
TNT Participant
