Cheryl Coey Krummen

Cheryl was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on February 8, 2007. Almost from the moment she received the diagnosis this single mother of two summoned within herself the confidence, determination and steadfast resolve that made it clear, not only was this disease in for a fight…. This would be all out war!

And she has an army marching into battle with her. In the immediate aftermath, an ever swelling community of family, friends, co-workers and others has rallied to her side. The combination of love, prayers, encouragement as well as her own inspiring strength and supreme bravery resulted in complete remission within three weeks of diagnosis!

Cheryl was sent home soon afterwards and appeared to be on her way to scoring a knockout. However, within a few short days of being home Cheryl suffered a stroke. It made speaking very difficult if not impossible and she lost use of her right arm. Her resolve never weakened nor did her mega-watt smile ever dim. Apparently the stroke did not see what our slugger did to her Leukemia and she fought back with a determined ferocity and quickly sent that stroke to the matt. She began speaking normally within a week and regained full use of her arm within 2 weeks.

When she isn’t getting frequent outpatient treatments or having to make short stays to combat fevers, Cheryl is enjoying time with her two boys and following a strict dietary and pharmaceutical regimen as she awaits her stem cell transplant scheduled for this spring. She has been blessed in that both of her brothers have tested as a match.

Those of us lucky to know Cheryl have all found inspiration by her example to be better people ourselves. It is her wish that, upon completion of her treatment, she can work closely with other Leukemia patients to assist, inspire, encourage and motivate them to achieve their own success stories. When you add to this her faith, bravery, strength and resiliency she truly stands as the very definition and living example of everything it means to be a HERO.

Trinity Guthrie

Trinity was 3 years old when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She is now six and was in remission until September 2005 when she relapsed. She underwent a bone marrow transport in early January 2006 and is doing very well. Trinity is now nine years old and loves being an honoree for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She loves taking time to educate others (especially children) about leukemia.

Trinity is in the third second grade and is fortunate to receive the extra attention in her schoolwork that she needs as a result of the chemotherapy on her learning. She also enjoys going to the park, movies and King’s Island. Trinity loves to smile, laugh, and just spend time with her mom, Sonya.

Casey Rayburn

Casey was diagnosed with A.L.L. August 21, 1996 and happily celebrated her cure in August 2001!!!!

Casey has one sister, Haley, and lives with her mom and dad, Mark and Deb (“the mom” – there is a Deb Rayburn, “the aunt”, who is also involved with The Society!).

She is 14 and in the 8th grade at Sycamore Junior High. She is the captain of her cheerleading squad. Casey played on the school golf team who was undefeated and placed second at the end of the year tournament. She is looking forward to playing on the school’s softball team in the spring. At her dance studio she does hip hop, champs (cheer like class), and clogging. When she is not doing sports, Casey is probably at the mall or the movies. She still loves to go to Bengal and Reds games with family and friends.

Jon Kerr

Jon has been a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Honoree program for a few years, but he always looks forward to becoming involved as his participants train for their events. Prior to be diagnosed in July 2002 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Jon had developed kidney disease that required a transplant in 1993, so he has already been through a lot. Even though he has reached his cure date (December 2005) and he’s ready to “give back”, his doctors keep a close eye on him.

Jon, his wife, Denice, and their two college-aged children, Emily and Andrew, and their dog live in the Loveland area. He’s originally from Florida, and has family there as well as in Michigan. He enjoys watching football and playing golf, and going to the gym every day. His favorite movie is "Remember the Titans" and he is currently thinking about Ouliers as his next read.

Jon says he is available to do whatever helps the most-- except he can't run or bike in TNT with his "chemo lungs". Jon will provide plenty of inspiration to his participants (he writes wonderful e-mail updates and words of encouragement) and he looks forward to meeting everyone!

Scottie Maier

Scottie has come full circle with Team In Training and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This is his story in his own words.

" I first found out about the hero program for Team in Training when I was a runner. It was 1992, the first year for Team in Training. I was in pretty good shape when a friend of mine, Kevin Egan, suggested that I train to run a marathon and that I do it for this really great cause. I took him up on his invite to join a group run that was scheduled one night.

The group of twenty was training for the Columbus Marathon. We met at Karen Cosgrove’s house in Norwood. I will never forget it because it rained. Not just a sprinkle but almost a deluge, and at times we were running in a foot of water. It was wonderful! I had so much fun running with the group, that I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I eagerly took the information and agreed to raise the money that the group had set as a fundraising goal.

I was given a hospital bracelet with my hero’s name “Justin Ashcraft” on it. Justin was a young boy that was suffering from leukemia. The bracelet was to be a reminder that no matter how bad I felt in my training or how much I hurt doing the marathon, it would not begin to resemble the pain that this little guy was going through on a daily basis.

It was still just a name on a bracelet and I still could not figure out why I was going to run 26.2 miles. I also got some information about The Leukemia Society of America. This was the Society’s first year and the money that we raised would be going for research of this disease and for patient aid.

I started fundraising by asking my family and friends to make donations to this group. All that I knew at this point was I was going to run 26.2 miles and I would get the strength to do so by looking at this bracelet.

The first time I met Justin he had just gone through chemotherapy. He looked terrible. He had lost his hair, his body was blown up like a balloon and he was having a hard time just staying awake. He, however, had an incredible smile and disposition about himself.

Now the bracelet proved to be more than a piece of silly plastic, but I wrestled with the thought of why am I doing this? Sure I met the kid and yes he was sick, and the Leukemia Society would help him and his family through the tough times that faced them but I didn’t feel a personal connection to the organization. I really didn’t know anyone that had ever had leukemia and still was not real familiar with the disease.

Well, I found my connection when I went home after meeting Justin. I have three healthy children and if it was not for the grace of God, one of them could be in the same situation as Justin. It all began to make a lot of sense. Why not do what I could for a group that was providing a service to people who suffered from something I hoped I never had to deal with personally.

Justin lost his fight against the disease that he tried so hard to fight. Meanwhile, the money that the team raised for research was helping other children and adults to recover. The survival rate had increased over the years so the rest of my fellow runners and I were making a difference.

Like anything else I do, when I make a commitment to do something I try to do the best I can. By the third year I found myself as Co-chairman of Team in Training. We were growing but were still just a small bunch of avid runners raising money for a great cause.

Over the years, I join the Board of Trustees for the Southern Ohio Chapter of the Leukemia Society of America as well as remaining Co-Chairman of Team in Training. We continued to grow and were honored by the National Chapter as the amount of money we turned in verses our expenses were top three in the nation.

Eventually, I became Treasurer for the Southern Ohio Chapter and really did nothing more than sign the checks that the office made out. Sometimes they would bring me a stack of checks and their paperwork that was over a half-foot tall. It may seem boring, but the greatest feeling, even better than having finished numerous marathons for Team in Training was signing the checks for patient aid.

In 2001 Team and Training celebrated their tenth year. We had certainly grown from the 32 runners of the first year. We were now a team of over 450 runners, walkers, cyclist, rollerbladers, and tri-athletes, who raised well over a million dollars each year for the previous six years. The Team and the Southern Ohio chapter of what now is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society honored me and five other people by inducting us into the Team in Training Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service.

The Leukemia Society had joined forces with the Lymphoma Society to fight all blood related illnesses.

I kind of took a back seat within the organization as I opened my own restaurant in Franklin, Ohio, something that is extremely time consuming. I was still involved but nowhere near the way I’d been before.

Not until July 28, 2002. I thought I had ulcers and was seeking treatment for some relief of the pain I was having in my stomach. As fate would have it, I was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma.

I still did not know what this meant but I knew it couldn’t be good. I called my friends at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and asked them to send me some information. That night when I got home a box of all kinds of information along with a journal to keep notes was sitting on my doorstep.

Some people might think that it is a little ironic, but I guess a person never knows how the hand of life will play itself out. I guess I found another reason for getting started in Team in Training.

I am involved in a national study (that is getting research dollars from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) to hopefully find a cure for what now is called a terminal disease. I am doing well, continue to run, and thankfully have reached a point that allows me to progress to the next stage of the clinical trial. Now it’s just wait and see, and pray it doesn’t come back!”

Hannah Berryman

Hannah was diagnosed December 9, 2002 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. After 27 months of chemotherapy Hannah finished her treatment in February of 2005 and is in remission. Hannah is experiencing some learning difficulties as a result of the chemotherapy. However, as with the cancer, she is working hard to overcome her challenges.

Hannah is in the fourth grade. She is taking a jazz class, and she is playing basketball this winter. Hannah enjoys reading, playing with her Nintendo DS and Littlest Pet Shop, and exploring and playing with her younger sister and friends. Her favorite shows are Hannah Montana and Full House. And, she is excited about the new High School Musical 3 movie!

Hannah can be shy when first meeting new people, but quickly warms up when made to laugh. She may not always talk, but she smiles and giggles readily. She can be wise beyond her young years one moment, and a typical silly nine year old the next -- especially when her outgoing younger sister is around.

Hannah’s family is very proud of her strength and endurance while going through treatment and now while dealing with side effects resulting from it. Hannah has stepped up to assist the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in efforts to raise funds for research!