National Rookie Challenge
The National Rookie Challenge is a nationwide fundraising initiative designed for first-time Team In Training participants who are ready to set a bold, high-impact fundraising goal in support of Blood Cancer United’s mission.
Your first Team In Training event can be a personal milestone and life-changing impact for blood cancer patients and their families.
2026 National Rookie Challenger Winner
What happens when a group of first-time Team In Training (TNT) participants sets bold goals?
In 2026, they raised $900,864 for Blood Cancer United's mission.
Leading the way was National Rookie Challenger winner Matt Nolan and the TNT Run/Walk Team, who raised a record-breaking $231,782 through the Boston Marathon®.
Matt Nolan, 2026 National Winner
“Watching Mom go through cancer made me feel helpless at times; fundraising and channeling my energy into training were gifts I needed. I'm so grateful to have been given this platform and experience.” - Matt, National Rookie Challenge winner
We'd like to acknowledge our current top fundraisers.
Kevin Shannahan
$260,006.48
Matt Nolan
$231,782.00
George Stewart
$137,250.00
Melvin Bradley
$114,207.26
Nicholas Zigerelli
$107,830.00
Jill Smith
$104,273.43
John Lowe
$101,049.64
Jeff Miller
$95,630.00
Lois Boxer
$78,907.50
Mark Shannahan
$75,056.48
We want to acknowledge our current top 10 teams.
Riders of the Storm
$536,995.00
Blackstone
$510,485.00
Team 209
$422,651.00
Team SF Bay
$262,144.00
Lymphomaniacs
$226,159.32
Kristen's Klimbers
$209,391.00
Bloomberg
$190,237.37
Pop's Warriors
$185,810.09
Team Kili Kurers
$167,499.99
Be Like Bob
$146,378.00
Circle of Heroes
The Circle of Heroes recognizes those who raise $25,000 within one fiscal year and fundraising teams that raise $250,000 within one fiscal year and can be earned over multiple TNT events, including virtual and live.
Individuals and teams who achieve this honor are awarded a Circle of Heroes medal during their event weekend.
Individuals
Kevin Shannahan
$260,006
Matt Nolan
$231,782
George Stewart
$137,250
Melvin Bradley
$114,207
Nicholas Zigerelli
$107,830
Jill Smith
$104,273
John Lowe
$101,050
Jeff Miller
$95,630
Lois Boxer
$78,908
Mark Shannahan
$75,056
Jason Hoberman
$72,447
Charles Arnold
$68,786
Tim Parker
$63,495
Julie Buschman
$56,744
Margaret Hvatum
$56,080
Tom McGuire
$51,100
Mark Lindsey
$50,795
William Bishop
$50,005
Kenny Gersh
$40,270
Justin Chueh
$40,075
Michelle Nanni
$40,056
Larry Moray
$38,481
Winfield Sickles
$37,125
Lance Avery
$36,186
Krishna Evuru
$34,472
Gregg Soroka
$34,200
Shank Iyer
$34,152
Phyllis Osterman
$34,004
Harold Burroughs
$33,099
Vicky Andritsch
$32,982
Sondra Rose
$32,678
Peter Hamilton
$32,250
Nathan Hubschman
$32,200
Sarah Cirelli
$31,247
Anna Jones
$31,101
Jim Francis
$30,480
Samantha Parker
$29,500
Bob Samuels
$29,100
Michele Birdwell
$28,940
Chesley Chen
$28,555
Barbara Kingsborough
$28,430
Matt Nolan
$27,367
Robin Plonsker
$27,145
Dave Mandelkern
$26,886
Sarah Fletcher
$26,625
Claire Griffith
$26,201
Joe Rood
$25,984
Anna Moon
$25,960
Katelyn Brodie
$25,499
Teams
Riders of the Storm
$536,995.00
Blackstone
$510,485.00
Team 209
$422,651.00
Team SF Bay
$262,144.00
Hero & Impact Awards
Individuals who raise $50,000 or teams that raise $100,000 are eligible to link the name of their choice with cutting edge LLS-funded research. The portfolios include a variety of research grants that support every discipline in the blood cancers, each with a mix of multi-year grants to accelerate promising therapies.
Individuals
Kevin Shannahan
$260,006
Matt Nolan
$231,782
George Stewart
$137,250
Melvin Bradley
$114,207
Nicholas Zigerelli
$107,830
Jill Smith
$104,273
John Lowe
$101,050
Jeff Miller
$95,630
Lois Boxer
$78,908
Mark Shannahan
$75,056
Jason Hoberman
$72,447
Charles Arnold
$68,786
Tim Parker
$63,495
Julie Buschman
$56,744
Margaret Hvatum
$56,080
Tom McGuire
$51,100
Mark Lindsey
$50,795
William Bishop
$50,005
Teams
Riders of the Storm
$536,995
Blackstone AMBBR 2026
$510,460
Team 209
$422,651
Team SF Bay
$262,644
Lymphomaniacs
$226,159
Kristen's Klimbers
$209,391
Bloomberg
$190,237
Pop's Warriors
$187,127
Team Kili Kurers
$167,500
Santa Barbara and Friends
$153,958
Be Like Bob
$146,378
Jenny Booyah & the Peachy Tribe
$146,161
Aislinn's Army
$140,453
Bonnie's Bunch
$140,338
Team Stewart
$137,250
Team ChemoSabe
$121,726
Team Silicon Valley
$121,268
Macquarie
$117,609
STL Triple B - Bryce's Bicycle Brigade
$116,711
Team ChiLd
$113,689
Mile 88
$107,256
Hail Mary Poppins
$106,663