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Team In Training is back at the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Sean’s Marathon For Shaelyn (by Zahida Jaffer)

Sean’s journey with Team In Training began when his daughter Shaelyn was just 8 weeks old. Shaelyn was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer that required immediate treatment. For much of the next year, she remained in the hospital to receive ongoing treatment. It was during this time that Sean learned about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Team In Training. “It sounded like a great program benefiting a cause close to home. “I knew that it was something I wanted to get involved in once Shaelyn was out of treatment and I could dedicate time to giving back.”

A year after Shaelyn finished treatment, she had a relapse. This time doctors advised that she receive a stem cell transplant, something that was not an option previously due to her young age. No donor match was found within the family so the search for a match through the donor registry took place. Fortunately, an unrelated yet perfect match was found and Shaelyn’s transplant was successful. “It’s amazing to think that there is a young girl somewhere in the UK, perhaps Shaelyn’s own age, who saved my daughter’s life,” Sean says with a smile, acknowledging that advances in medicine have allowed stem cell donation to become a non-invasive process yet a very powerful gift of life to a complete stranger. Canadians can register using the One Match program if they wish to be placed on the donor registry.

And now, with Shaelyn just over 5 years old and healthy, her father Sean has joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s (LLSC) Team In Training to honour her battles with cancer. “It is so inspiring and motivating to get to know everyone on the team, a group of individuals all part of the team because they want to give back and help improve the lives of others.” Sean has committed to raise funds for the Society whose mission is to find a cure for all blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

With Team In Training, Sean plans to complete his first full marathon at the BMO Vancouver Marathon, with his wife and two daughters there to greet him at the finish line. Training has begun and has been a great experience so far.

“Another catalyst for me to join Team In Training was when I completed the RBC GranFondo Whistler last September. It was a difficult ride and I saw many TNT teammates on course. The camaraderie, the training they had received, and the funds they had raised really inspired me; that’s the way to train for a hard race. Being part of the Team now myself, I feel very supported. With coaches, mentors, and clinic speakers, I see there’s a huge investment in our success, both for the training and the fundraising.”

If you see Sean on the course on race day in his purple TNT jersey, be sure to give him a cheer.

Go Team!

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Relentless for a cure, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Team In Training is the largest and most successful endurance sports training program for charity. Runners, walkers, cyclists, and triathletes of all levels have the opportunity to challenge their fitness and participate in a world-class endurance event like the BMO Vancouver Marathon, while making a true difference in the lives of 100,000 Canadians living with blood cancers.

Sign up. Get involved. Achieve YOUR goals with Team In Training.

Sign up to Participate

 

To find out more, visit www.teamintraining.ca or call 604-733-2873 or toll free 1-866-547-5433.