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Johanna is
Blood Cancer United

Woman in a Team In Training tank, holding up her Disney medal in front of TNT/LLS banner

I am a teacher from Texas. My journey to Team and Training wasn’t immediate. I moved to Texas from Louisiana. When I moved to Texas, I decided to start running to meet people and to help with my homesickness.

One of my former students came back to visit me, and I discovered she was diagnosed with leukemia. When I saw her, I wanted to do something to support her. I was already running, and I wanted to take my running to another level, so I trained for a marathon. I completed the marathon and soon discovered the Walt Disney World Marathon event. I then discovered that I could raise money for leukemia research, so I decided to sign up to run the Dopey Challenge in honor of my former student who beat leukemia thanks to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

It was an honor to represent her and run with Team In Training (TNT). I met so many amazing and inspirational people who came together for one purpose, to beat cancer. I had amazing support from the TNT staff while I was fundraising and when I ran the Dopey Challenge. I remember one team member running with me during the half marathon keeping me motivated. I was truly overwhelmed by the love and support from everyone.

When you hear a mother of a child with cancer say LLS helped my child, you know this is an organization you can and should support.

I am so grateful I was able to do my part and support TNT and LLS. My running now serves a purpose, which is to help others.

Johanna

Supporter

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
Person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and hiking backpack stands outdoors against a scenic mountain landscape with evergreen trees and patches of golden foliage. The image highlights an active moment in nature and reflects resilience, strength, and quality of life within the blood cancer community, emphasizing the importance of survivorship and living well after a blood cancer diagnosis.

Jean

smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM)

Person seated in a medical exam room during a healthcare appointment, with blood pressure monitoring equipment visible in the background. This image represents the blood cancer journey, highlighting ongoing medical care, treatment monitoring, survivorship, and the importance of regular healthcare visits for people affected by blood cancer.

Johansa

multiple myeloma (MM)

Portrait of a blood cancer survivor wearing glasses, a light blue top, and a beaded necklace while seated indoors against a neutral background. The close-up image highlights a member of the blood cancer community and reflects survivorship, resilience, and the ongoing impact of blood cancer awareness, support, and advocacy.

Nancyjean

multiple myeloma (MM)

Headshot of Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach

Chuck

leukemia

Close-up portrait of an individual wearing glasses and a dark shirt indoors, with a clear view of facial features against a softly blurred background—highlighting personal strength, advocacy, and lived experience within the blood cancer community and survivorship awareness.

Marty

multiple myeloma (MM)

Two children stand together on a wooden bridge at a theme park, wearing colorful character-themed outfits and mouse ear headbands, with a large green topiary figure and water feature in the background—highlighting childhood joy, family moments, and hope within the blood cancer community and pediatric blood cancer awareness.

Riley

Family member and caregiver

Studio-style portrait of an older adult wearing a striped dress shirt and red patterned tie against a soft blue background—highlighting personal legacy, remembrance, and the lasting impact of individuals within the blood cancer community and awareness efforts.

Laurence

multiple myeloma (MM)

Individual stands outdoors in front of tall city buildings wearing athletic gear and a race bib numbered 2483, hands on hips after a race—highlighting strength, endurance, and active advocacy within the blood cancer community and survivorship awareness through fitness and fundraising events.

Sally

multiple myeloma (MM)

Person sitting in a hospital bed during blood cancer treatment, holding a medical collection bag while connected to clinical monitoring equipment. The image highlights blood cancer survivorship, stem cell transplant care, patient resilience, and advances in treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Haley

multiple myeloma (MM)

Portrait of a blood cancer survivor wearing glasses and looking toward the camera. This image represents blood cancer survivorship, patient advocacy, lymphoma and leukemia awareness, and the strength of the blood cancer community.

Julie

IgG lambda multiple myeloma ISS-R

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Tony

leukemia

Rachel in hospital with head wrap holding "It's my last day of chemo" sign

Rachel

lymphoma

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is now Blood Cancer United. Learn more.