Mission Moment - Emily Freidlander, Honored Team Hero (Summer 2006)

A message from Amanda Goble, our Team In Training Campaign Coordinator:

Here are some words of encouragement from someone who has seen both sides of Team In Training: the participant side and the benefiting from what the participants do side.

In March of 2003, at age twelve, Emily Freidlander was diagnosed with stage one Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Following the shocking diagnosis, she began a rigorous six-month chemotherapy treatment plan at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Later in the year, she was named 2003 Girl of the Year for our Man and Women of the Year fundraising campaign. Emily attributes this honor to sparking her interest in becoming involved in the society's mission. Today she is happily almost 4 years in remission and continues to promote cancer awareness. To celebrate her third year in remission, Emily and her mom joined Team in Training. Many fundraisers and team practices later, the mother-daughter team flew to San Francisco and completed the 2005 Nike Women's Marathon. Together, they raised almost ten thousand dollars for the mission!!! Emily then furthered her involvement with the Team by becoming one of our Team Heroes for the Summer 2006 Season.

Here is her message to the Team: "Through Team in Training you can be transformed into a life-saver. The moment you cross the finish line all of the hard work will be paid off; an indescribable feeling of success will linger in your body forever. To embark on such an opportunity will aid in those searching for a cure for cancer, those afflicted, and enhance your personal perception of the world and self. Enjoy your training, cherish every dollar raised towards cancer research, and know that you have made a difference in my life and all those who are fighting blood cancers."