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Superstars

John Kellenyi, 61, of Maplewood, NJ, started running marathons with Team In Training (TNT) in 1999. He is currently training to participate in his 11th marathon with TNT at the WALT DISNEY WORLD� Marathon in Orlando, on Jan. 11, 2009. Kellenyi even had a quote about his dedication to The Leukemia & Lymphpma Society (LLS) and TNT featured on Starbucks cups. He is truly one of the superstars of TNT, having raised more than $1 million since he started participating. In the past year he also did the PF Chang's� Rock 'n' Roll Arizona? Marathon in Phoenix, in January. 2008, and before that the Bank of America Chicago Marathon�, in October, 2007. He is also a member of the LLS National Board of Directors. Kellenyi had been a distance runner since his high school days and ran many marathons prior to becoming a TNT participant. But since learning about TNT and realizing that he could help others while continuing to pursue his love of running, he has been one of its most dedicated participants.

Kyle Garlett, 37, is from Marina Del Rey, CA. On Sept. 26, 1989, while a senior in high school, Kyle was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. A year and a half later he was diagnosed with a relapse of the disease. In late 1994 the disease returned for yet a third time. He survived a stem cell transplant, but his treatment had to be stopped in 1995 when his heart showed serious damage from chemotherapy. Two years later, on July 23, 1997, he was diagnosed with a secondary leukemia. Three years after finishing the chemo that miraculously eradicated the leukemia, he was placed on a heart transplant list at UCLA. On Oct. 10, 2006, he got a heart transplant. Despite these overwhelming physical travails, Kyle went from being an honored patient for Team In Training to an active participant. On Sept 15, 2007 he successfully completed the Malibu Triathlon. This past April he completed the Lavaman Triathlon. His wedding to his wife, Carrie, who he met while she was a TNT participant and he was an honored patient, was featured on Extreme Makeover Wedding Edition.

Bret Wilson, 49, Overland Park, KS, participates in Team In Training in memory of his daughter, Erin, who died of leukemia when she was 12. Bret was the highest fundraiser at P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix on Jan. 13, 2008. By raising more than $51,500, Bret qualified to name an LLS research grant to honor Erin. The grant was given to a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, at the University of Washington, one of the two places his daughter received a bone marrow transplant. Bret has also done a marathon with Team In Training in Rome, Italy, in 2006.

Susan Thornton, 50, of Pottstown PA, has been battling an incurable, chronic case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma since 1991. She has undergone numerous treatments over the years. Despite her struggles with the disease she has participated in multiple triathlons and half marathons with TNT. Susan has been a fundraiser, mentor and coach as well as a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter Board of Trustees.

Alice Till, 64, a race walker from Arlington, VA, completed her first marathon in Honolulu, HI on Dec. 10, 2000-her 57th birthday. She completed three more marathons in the next three years and quickly found herself wanting more. Alice always saw purple singlets out on the trails and inquired about the organization. She went to a local information meeting and walked out of the meeting, saying, "I'm doing it for Debby," a friend and colleague who was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Alice completed her first TNT event, the Nike Women's Marathon, A Race to Benifit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in 2004. Alice's focus is on the patients and their families and knew she couldn't slow down. With this in mind, Alice increased her fundraising totals and her race walking speed; she's logged her best completion time of 5 hours, 36 minutes and 40 seconds at the 2006 Nike Women's Marathon. She also hit her best fundraising total with that event, raising $47,335. But the event was very special for another reason, her friend Debby met her at the finishline cancer free. This year, Alice completed her fifth Nike Women's Marathon, two months before her 65th birthday. The marathon will also bring her grand race total to 18 endurance events since 2000 and her TNT fundraising grand total to over $150,000. Despite her age she says she does not plan on stopping her fundraising or training with TNT any time soon. What she is most hopeful for is that she can inspire others her age to get involved.

Debbie Pilalas, 37, from New York City, is a TNT marathoner. When Debbie's 3-year-old-goddaughter, Kate, was diagnosed with leukemia she turned to LLS for help. Kate, her twin sister, Olivia, and big sister Emma all idolize Debbie. After getting over the initial shock of Kate's illness, Debbie set about trying to do something and guide the three girls to a positive lesson, so she joined TNT. In 2006, Debbie completed two full marathons and was a TNT top fundraiser for both the Rock 'n' Roll� Marathon in June, raising more than $65,000, and the Nike Women's Marathon, raising nearly $80,000. She also raised more than $86,000 at last year's ING New York City Marathon. Seeing Debbie completing the races lifted Kate's spirits. She fought through her treatment, and this past summer the doctors said she's in remission. Kate returned to school, play dates and to being a regular kid. Now 6 years old, she has also developed quite a knack for getting up in front of huge TNT audiences and giving speeches. Debbie completed the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon this year, and is keeping her streak alive of being the top fundraiser at every marathon she has done for TNT.

Heidi Hauch (right), 48, of Fountain Hills, AZ, is a TNT race walker. From 1998-2003 Heidi was a TNT participant, mentor then coach for the Desert Mountain States Chapter. She participated in San Diego, Honolulu, Alaska, Disney, Chicago and coached San Diego and Disney. Heidi's inspiration is her nephew Jack, who just turned 13. Jack was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just 11 months old; six years later he was in complete remission. They celebrated this milestone by walking the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Marathon in 2002. Heidi is an accomplished race walker and has won the 2008 National 50K and qualified for the women's 20K 2008 Olympic Trials.