ph: (813) 963-6461
Local Staff Contacts
Suncoast
3507 East Frontage Road, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33607
Tampa, FL 33607
Honored Teammates
A Team In Training Honored teammate is someone who has had to personally deal with the physical and emotional effects of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma and who chooses to share those experiences with other people in order to support the work and efforts of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Honored teammates are asked to serve a very important role in the Society's Team In Training, the world's largest endurance sports training program. They are matched with participants who train and fundraise in their honor.
Honorees remind participants that Team In Training is much more than just a physical training program. By getting to know an honored teammate, the participant learns about the impact that these diseases have on a patient and their family. Participants also discover that the money they raise truly makes a positive difference in someone's life.
Honored Teammates of Suncoast TNT
Bob
Favorite Quote: "Do the best you can do."
Bob is currently completing his maintenance treatmen, Rituxan, for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Bob loves to read and his favorite author is James Patterson. He is a huge Steeler's fan and has 9 grandchildren!
"If it wasn't for research I wouldn't be alive today. Rituxin is one of the big things. Because of trial testing all funded by research grants from LLS. Even though the eight months of chemotherapy were no fun and I lost all of my hair, I am here today. They have come a long way in twenty years."
Cindy
Favorite Quote: "Life is meant to be lived - Live it Abundantly!"
"THANK YOU for all the hours of effort and sweat to help raise the money to fund the cure so ALL people with blood diseases can live full and productive lives. It was people like you who funded the research for Gleevec which has helped me and so many others. I am deeply grateful. God Bless you!"
Jackson
Jackson (far left) and His 3 Brothers
Jackson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.) a couple months ago and is currently undergoing chemo treatment 3 times a week at All Children's Hospital. Although he has cancer, Jackson is still a bundle of energy and works hard at everything he does.
He is currently playing basketball on the same team as his older brother, Joseph. Other sports he enjoys to play include football (linebacker & receiver) and baseball (shortstop). He is a big fan of UF football.
He is an A student and continues to be the kid that stands up for everyone in the class! Jackson only knows one way - and that is to give it all - whatever that may be!
Quotes to live by: When I feel like giving up: "You don't drown by falling in the water, you drown by staying there." When I need to keep going: "Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you."
Janet has Marginal Zone Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Stage IVA. On January 14th 2009, Janet began her two year treatment, Maintenance Rituxan. Her favorite weekend activities include taking her dogs to the dog beach or park, going to visit or having friends visit, eating sushi (when not in treatment), reading, writing poetry, re-learning how to play guitar, visiting the elderly or at risk with my therapy dog Einstein, being supportive to my blood cancer group, eating, and doing anything my body still allows.
Jerry was first diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in August 2005. He did participate in a clinical trial through the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX. This trial involved tandem autologis stem cell transplants. His stem cell transplants occurred in August and November of 2006. Prior to Jerry?s stem cell transplants he received radiation treatments and took a drug regimen of Thalidomide and dextamethazone. He achieved complete remission on January 11, 2006, three years and counting!!
His favorite weekend activities include running, biking, camping, hanging out with friends (sometimes at the bars?), and most of all going to Team In Training practices at ridiculous early times!
His quote to live by is ?If you are going to do something, do the best you can.? ? N. Rodney Mallams (grandfather), ?Life is short, play hard?, ?Life is good? ?.
Jerry recently completing the Rock ?N? Roll San Antonio Marathon with Team In Training.
Jim
Jim was first diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma (HL) in November 2005. He completed chemotherapy and radiation in August of 2006 and is currently in remission.
His favorite weekend activity is sleeping, dining out and doing chores. He is a fan of football and enjoys exercising when not at work. His quote to live by is ?Don?t wimp out?.
Even before completing his treatment, Jim began training for the Nike San Francisco Women?s Marathon in 2006. He said he felt that the training program became part of his recovery, given the support during training he received. Jim completed the full marathon with his wife Linda, who completed the half. Jim said, ?If I can do it, anyone can do it!?
Ryan is a smart little boy who loves to smile, play golf and basketball, and challenge his mom and dad with difficult questions. Since the time he could talk, Ryan would ask a million questions and when I would get frustrated- he would say "I'm just knowin' mama!!" Ryan has always been a "just knowin'" kind of kid. He is strong and serious. He is a real trooper. He has moments of getting down - but always pulls right through. He is a member of the math bowl team, at Mitchell and was so excited to be picked.
Ryan has a twin sister named Kaitlin. He doesn't have any big pets, but has three hermit crabs. Ryan misses his friends and hopes he can get back to school soon. Ryan is ready to be out of the hospital riding bikes with his sister. He still has his typical smile that we love so much! His personality continues to shine through. He is becoming a master of Mario Kart, Uno Attack, Sorry and Blokus.
