A message from Amanda Goble, our Team In Training Campaign Coordinator:
At LLS we oftentimes hear the stories of individuals who overcome all odds and beat one of these terrible diseases, but in all reality, and as many of us know first-hand, too many others lose their lives. This email was sent to me last Thursday by Marine Corps participant Courtney Legath who wanted all of you to keep her personal hero in your memory as you are training and fundraising:
I'm actually writing with some bad news unfortunately. My cousin and hero, Drew Spinelli, unfortunately surrendered his eight month fight with leukemia this morning at 6:40am. His bone marrow transplant two weeks ago was a successful operation but he was unfortunately struck with a stomach and gull bladder infection that resulted in sepsus. The infection proved too strong due to his lack of white blood cells and his body slowly began to shut down over the past three days.
At the age of just 24, Drew was the kind of person that could make you laugh instantly and he brought joy even to the lives of the nurses and doctors whom he met in just his last living months. My heart is breaking for my best friend (his twin sister) who will celebrate her 25th birthday without her brother by her side on Sunday. Despite how sad the situation seems though, Drew's sickness brought so many people together and developed such an outpouring of love that it is hard not to see the positive, even in the midst of such a sad situation.
Drew's immediate family is in the middle of deciding when the services will be. However, ironically enough, as long as there is nothing from 7-10am on Saturday I will be sure to be at the run. Even in the dead heat the past three days, running has been VERY therapeutic for me. There were times when I felt helpless and didn't know what to do during the waiting period, and running (for a cause) helped pass the time. I am now more than ever motivated to continue training for the DC Marine Corps Marathon. It will not only be a physically grueling race, but now a very very emotionally charged one as well. I don't know if this is possible, but I wasn't sure if the TNT Chapters ever add TNT Heroes who have passed? Drew's story has been one of the most inspiring I've seen, even if it didn't end with a technical victory.
The link below is a website that has been tracking his progress all along and tells his story. I thought you might enjoy reading it as he is definitely my hero for this marathon and what I hope will be several to come. I would love if the Philly chapter could also keep his memory in mind as we train over the next few weeks.
In memory of Drew Spinelli... http://www.drewspinelli.com
Drew was not the only one we lost this past week. I know it has been a difficult week for some other participants as a father was lost, and then a mother is back to fighting her blood cancer. Please keep these individuals and families in your thoughts as well.
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