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.
2025 National Rookie Challenger Winner
After losing her father, Mike, to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Jen was looking for a way to carry his memory with her. Through Climb2Cure, she honored him on a multi-day climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro alongside her partner, Teddy.
Jennifer Magi, 2025 National Winner
What unfolded on the mountain was demanding, meaningful, and deeply personal. Each day became a reminder of why she was there and who she was climbing for, while turning that effort into support for the blood cancer community and claiming the 2025 national Rookie Challenger winner by raising more than $40,000.
We'd like to acknowledge our current top fundraisers.
Brian Druker
$268,991
Brian Dunlap
$151,590
Melvin Bradley
$114,780
Andy Kolb
$84,117
Jeff Miller
$70,747
Tim Parker
$56,024
Robert Hoffman
$51,022
Charles Arnold
$48,880
Robert McIntyre
$42,242
Julie Buschman
$41,309
We want to acknowledge our current top 10 teams.
Team 209
$463,026
Blackstone
$454,667
Team ChiLD
$275,329
Team SF Bay
$252,185
POP's Warriors
$200,155
Greater LA Cycle Team
$193,464
Bloomberg
$170,746
Hail Mary Poppins
$167,839
Team KPMG
$133,030
TNT Caballeros
$133,005
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
Bob Holmes
$39,000
Christopher Martin
$37,284
Jim Francis
$37,194
Jill Smith
$35,650
Phyllis Osterman
$34,951
Wyatt Barlage
$34,634
Mark Hunt
$34,572
Lois Boxer
$33,405
Jennifer Stevens
$31,046
Robert Samuels
$30,138
Scott Bauwens
$29,398
Sondra Rose
$29,207
Judy Lynch
$27,972
George Siderias
$27,595
Shirley Mei
$27,521
Margery Berry
$27,410
Carl Sygiel
$27,115
Harold Burroughs
$26,979
Daniel Egan
$26,556
Denise Hartmann
$26,541
Mary Crotty
$25,890
Amanda Moody
$25,709
Teams
Team 209
$463,026
Blackstone
$454,667
Team ChiLD
$275,329
Team SF Bay
$252,185
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
Brian Druker
$268,991
Brian Dunlap
$151,590
Melvin Bradley
$114,780
Andy Kolb
$84,117
Jeff Miller
$70,747
Tim Parker
$56,024
Robert Hoffman
$51,022
Teams
POP's Warriors
$200,155
Greater LA Cycle Team
$193,464
Bloomberg
$170,746
Hail Mary Poppins
$167,839
Team KPMG
$133,030
TNT Caballeros
$133,005
Jenny Booyah and the Peachy Tribe
$123,321
Macquarie
$120,220
Kristen's Klimbers
$119,668
Be Like Bob
$114,980
HIKERS4LIFE
$114,573
PedAL to the MedAL
$111,975
Super Thomas 2.0 Powered by Kailie's Krew
$110,597
Mile 88
$102,824