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"While I was fighting so fiercely for my life, I had an army of people fighting fiercely for me I just didnt know it." -Virginia Garner, CML Survivor

Virginia Garner was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 1997 and the odds of surviving were not in her favor. After a year of the standard therapy, she says she stood at death's doorstep.

Today, Virginia's a vibrant and energetic survivor, and amazingly, she's got eight events with Team In Training to her credit. How did it happen? Virginia entered a clinical trial for a new, targeted drug, now known as Gleevec®, in 1999. "Within two weeks, my blood was normal. I got back my life, my appetite, my hair and my hope." Soon after, Virginia learned that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funded the research that led to Gleevec and that "an army" of Team In Training participants were raising funds to help LLS support lifesaving research. Thats when she decided to join TNT. "Make no mistake," says Virginia. "We are going to win this war."