Jensen is one of those charming rays of sunshine. Just a girl of 12, she is already matured beyond her years, having to grow up so quickly and fight this demon. Below is a letter our honoree captain sent to our team about Jensen’s recent struggles.

Dear Team:

Meggen (Coach) was informed by Jensen’s mom that Jensen had to return this last Saturday to the hospital for her 16th surgery, where she has been for the last several days. As you probably recall, Jensen attends seventh grade and has been treated for Synovial Sarcoma for almost 2 years. She has been with the team as an honoree since last year. This beautiful girl has such a peaceful presence and a playful side as well. Her parents are absolutely amazing. Her brother Blake was in Meggen’s class last year, asking the class to pray for his sister. She has a twin sister, Jordan, with whom she is very close.

This last year, she had to travel to the eastern seaboard by train with a parent for a period of weeks each time for a clinical trial that held no promises. She returned home when it appeared it had not helped, but the test results were not accurate. It turns out the treatment actually has helped, but not without cost to her lungs. She could not return to the trial; having stopped in mid-stream, so the medication was sent out here and at least she now gets treatment near home from Stanford. Jensen’s most recent surgery had been to her lungs. But an x-ray revealed more air in the chest cavity, so she went back Saturday for more, delaying it so she could present a science project at the fair. The surgery ended up revealing that the treatment was doing its part to shrink further the tumors and this time they attempted to stop the leakage with another solution. It turns out that Jensen is one of the 9% that can experience extremely painful side effects, which is why she remains in the hospital.

It was clear from the e-mail that Meggen forwarded to me, that Jensen and her family need some encouragement. In spite of the weariness in Evelyn’s tone, she still maintains positive and faithfilled. She ended her email with hope.

“Greg and I are able to get through the heartbreak of watching Jensen suffer in pain by focusing on the silver lining, the doctors’ theory that the cause of the pneumothorax (air in the lung cavity) is the cancerous tumors are shrinking, thanks to the new experimental drug St. Jude had prescribed.”

And this quote just melted my heart at the end of her message:

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”
-Kahlil Gibran

Would each of you mind taking a moment to forward some words of encouragement or perhaps a poem, biblical passage or anything that holds inspiration for you, say a few prayers and hold this family (Jensen, her twin sister Jordan, her brother Blake, her mom, Evelyn and her father Gregg) in your heart? There is so much power in sending positive, healing thoughts and this family needs our best. I will bring a journal to the BBQ that we can fill with our thoughts for a bright future, or you can send something in advance if you would like to get it to the family.

I have attached photos of Jensen and her mother, one with the coaches and one of the poster we made for her at the beginning of the year. (Mentors, I don’t have a complete list though I tried to cover the group, so please forward to your group.)

Thank you so much, everyone, for your constant support of your community. Each and everyone of you is an angel of mercy and I have never been more honored or proud to be involved with an organization than I am with this group of superhumans as well as all of those fabulous friends and family that support us.

Blessings always,

Casey O’Neill
Honoree Captain
Silicon Valley Triathlon Team

Me: How is she doing now?
harvey: She’s doing great! Thank you so much for asking. She is still required to take a CT scan once a year and she is still on 10+ pills a day to fight the effect of the chemo. Otherwise, she is doing great. I’m truly blessed to have a woman like that next to me.

Me: I also found out one of my neighbors two doors down, their son has Leukemia. It is really heart wrenching to hear so many awful stories, but I hope that I can make a difference with my efforts with Team in Training. My prayers and good wishes are with you and your wife. i will keep her in mind while I am training.

harvey: This is why I will support people like you who is willing to go out there and do the right thing out of compassion for another human being. World needs more people like you. Times are tough, but I’m doing great compare to what these people have to go through. Few bucks is the least I can do. And I’ve heard many stories while sitting next to my wife in the chemo room. Usually, there were 6 or 7 people sitting in a circle getting their treatments. We talk – and some of the survivors are still our closest friends. You make friends real fast in a chemo room when you’re sitting next to each other for 4 to 5 hours at a time. Unfortunately, few of them didn’t make it. But it is heartwrenching. One silicon valley enterpeneur who worked all his life to provide for his family finally hit it big when his company went public. With millions in his pocket, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It was heartwrenching to hear how he will not be able to enjoy the fruit of his success with his family. The cancer was in late stages because he devoted his time to work and never took the time to check out his stomach aches. He told me that he would give all his money back if he could have 10 more years to see his kids grow up – he never made it. That day, I went to work and turned in my resignation. People here just don’t have their priorities straight.

Truer Words might never have been spoken.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Yesterday was yet another accomplishment. After a great writing class with my 8 year olds, I set out for the gym for a great workout. I told myself I would do running intervals ( warm up 5 min, Sprint pace 1 min, core 1 min, total treadmill 25 min) I started out slow warming up, and then managed to start my sprint pace at 8 min miles. Then realizing I could still go faster, bumped it up to 7:30 min miles. I was very excited with myself that I could keep that speed for 7 sets of interval minutes. It was then onto the bike, where I accomplished a 60 min easy hill climb workout. A great day at the gym!

I really dug down deep into myself to find the energy for this. The previous week had been really hard on me and my workouts had slacked. Having done this, I am now charged for the rest of the week. I am excited to meet with the TEAM tonight and come together for a great cause. Our team is really great this year, and I am so thankful for the many people who can help support me and my cause.

This cause is very important to me and knowing that I am training for a reason, to help those with cancer, I know that I can push that extra mile for a reason. This issue is bigger than me. It is an issue that touches our hearts in the closest of ways. Just this weekend, I found I have a neighbor who’s son is receiving treatment for Leukemia. She was so generous to make cookies for a fundraiser I held this past weekend. It is people like Jennifer who really show me that even in the face of adversity, they shine with kindness for those around them.

After spending Thanksgiving week with my best friends in DC, I am reminded that friends and family are the things that keep us happy. No matter how much they drive us crazy at times, it is their unconditional love that warms our hearts and reminds us of our place in this world and what we mean to those around us. I am extremely thankful for my friends and loved ones.

While back east, I tried to save time to train for my event. A few days I went running outside, but quickly learned that I am a Californian through and through, and not at ALL a fan of the cold weather. Which is why I am very excited that the swim portion of my race is in the warm beautiful waters of Kona, Hawaii, where the water is a comfortable 80 degrees!

As I look to the rest of December, I am thankful that I can look back on my previous accomplishments, and look forward to those I have yet to accomplish. I am thankful that I have the ability to train for this race, and look upon the faces of our honorees that give me the motivation to continue training for a cause.

**UPCOMING PARTIES!

December 6th- White Christmas Party 6pm (7pm movie starts). $10 entrance: Movie and snacks as well as Raffle ticket. 415 N 2nd Street, San Jose, CA.

December 13th- Love Actually party 6pm (7pm movie starts). $10 entrance: Movie and snacks as well as Raffle ticket. 415 N 2nd Street, San Jose, CA.

All proceeds go to support Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

Normally, thats enough for me to cringe and say, “Oh go on with yourself.  You’re pulling my leg.” But, in the middle of winter? Really, now? Yes, Erin. Even now.

Last year was the same story. Don a suit that hugs every bad piece of chocolate, and every extra beer my friends bought for me because “one extra won’t hurt”… hmm they’ve obviously never worn a Speedo.

Why possibly would I force myself into this torturous occasion? Simple answer: to find a cure for cancer.  On March 28, 2010, I am swimming, biking and running in Kona, HI with Team in Training. And the motivation that gets me there is knowing that the money I raise will one day find a cure for cancer.

The people who have battled cancer, and currently are battling, on our team are truly inspiring.  My friend Vanessa is such a bright, jumping, never-stop moving, person that at first glance you would never think that cancer affected her life. A clinical trial, funded by money raised from Team in Training, helped shrink a tumor wrapped around her heart that doctor’s called inoperable after giving her weeks to live. Years later, she races right next to us, as proof that sometimes the impossible is only one Trial away.

Jensen Barett is one of those children still fighting. She dreams of winning this battle against cancer and getting back to her normal life. She dreams of going back to school, playing tennis, playing the piano, going to Washington D.C. to attend the forum, and simply playing with her friends. She dreams of never having to go back to the hospital for another surgery or chemo treatment. Right now, she is traveling by train to take part in experimental treatment in Memphis, TN.

So that is why, tonight, I will be wearing a swimsuit, in the cold 40 degree weather. Having already done this race last year with TNT, I now only have to work on my speed for this year.  I know I can do this. There are still those days where waking up early to drive to Redwood City for Bike Practice on a Saturday morning seems like such a chore, especially when I can’t go out too late the night before. Or when doing intervals at the gym just doesn’t seem like any fun; In the back of my head I hear “neither is cancer. Buck up little one.”

Now that I have a new Road bike (yay!!!!) I can actually see myself having fun on the bike.  My only concern is changing my tires…. which I learned how to do on Saturday (Bad triathlete!)

This week, I am celebrating my 25^th birthday. In all the celebrations, it helps to look back on the past year. What a year it has been! I ran my first half marathon, finished my first Triathlon and made some amazing friendships in the process. I have had one of the best years of my life thus far, and my goal this year is to make it even better.

That is why I have decided to join the TEAM again. On March 28, 2010, I will be in Kona, Hawaii, swimming 1 mile, biking 26 miles, and running 6.2 miles in the Lavaman Triathlon in an effort to find a cure for cancer. I mean, what a great vacation? Swim over coral reefs, sea turtles and exotic fish, then cycle next to Lava Fields and be amazed by Mother Nature, and continue to run along the Island’s coast, only to finish surrounded by friends! And for those who are interested, there is ALWAYS beer at the finish! Team in Training throws one of the biggest parties afterwards.

I had so much fun last year, I decided I wanted to be a part of the staff that helps the team. As a mentor, I will be assisting new participants in their fundraising, welcoming them to our team, as well as ensure that everyone crosses the finish line in Hawaii. I am very excited to be in this role this year and look forward to a great team!

I want to thank all of you for donating to my cause last year, especially in a rough economy. You are all ROCKSTARS! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having enough faith and love for me to push me to finish my race. This year, I ask you to donate yourself to this cause. You have seen how much fun I’ve had, and how comprehensive the training is. There is no commitment for the first few weeks. Come to a few practices, ask questions, meet our team, and challenge yourself. Many people come to the Team with no connection to Cancer, no fitness background and unsure of how to raise the funds. That’s what is great about our team. Everyone has different strengths, and together we move mountains. There is no I in TEAM, and therefore you are never alone.

I invite you to try to join us at our Kickoff and practices:

Monday, November 9 at 6pm

KICKOFF

The Marriott in Santa Clara

2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA

Tuesday, November 10 at 6:15pm

First Track Training

Foothill College in Los Altos Hills

Saturday, November 14 at 8:00am

Bike and Gear Clinic

Sports Basement in Sunnyvale
Wednesday, November 18 at 6:00pm

First Coached Swim Practice

Burgess Pool, Menlo Park
I would love to see you there! For those of you who feel the team is not a fit for you, I still encourage you to continue to support me. 75% of all funds raised go to find a cure for cancer; the remaining amount contributes to administrative costs associated with training and travel costs. Please let me know if your company does matching funds, so that I can assist you with finding the proper forms. My website is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/lavatri10/ecahill

Thank you all again so much for your continued support!

Erin