Doug Loizzo, 30, of Homer Glen, IL is a husband, a cancer survivor and the true embodiment of an athlete. Doug has been selected as an Honored Hero for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)?s Team In Training (TNT) program, which was voted Best Charity Training Program in 2011 by the readers of Competitor magazine.
In September 2007 Doug experienced severe pain and random bruising. A blood test revealed that he had a seriously low platelet count but doctors struggled to diagnose the exact condition. Doug and his wife Kelly sought countless treatments. Finally, two years later, doctors diagnosed him with large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia, which can mask itself behind other conditions. Since the diagnosis, Doug has endured frequent blood transfusions, doses of chemotherapy and steroid injections. However, as a lifelong athlete, Doug used cancer as the motivation to build his physical and mental strength. How? He became a triathlete with Team In Training.
?Not sure what to expect and feeling extremely intimidated by the thought of even completing a triathlon, I walked into an organization that would forever change my life,? Doug says of joining TNT. ?Not only did it change my life because I was battling leukemia, but it changed my life by giving me every tool and bit of confidence I needed to train and complete my first triathlon. Team In Training provided me with coaches, mentors and teammates, many of whom I now consider friends.?
Doug has completed numerous events with TNT, including LLS?s Blood, Sweat & Tears Charity Bike Ride, the Life Time Tri Chicago (twice) and the 2011 St. Anthony?s Triathlon, where he placed in the national TNT wave. Doug meets all of these challenges with tremendous strength, although he?s still unsure of what?s ahead. He and Kelly may seek more aggressive treatment to get his leukemia into remission.
?We are so appreciative to Doug for being willing to share the experience of leukemia,? says LLS executive director Pam Swenk. ?As hard as it is to tell the story, It helps people understand how important Team In Training is and what a difference The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society makes. Without the commitment of each and every participant, and the dollars raised, we would not be able to invest in the research that is changing the quality of life for people living with cancer.?
TNT is currently recruiting for the following fall events: Whirlpool Ironman 70.3 Steelhead, Bike Benzie Tour, Life Time Tri Chicago, The 16th Annual Chicago Half Marathon & 5K, RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo, Blood, Sweat & Tears Charity Bike Ride, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Nike Women?s Marathon. To register, call (312) 651-7355 or visit www.teamintraining.org/il.
LLS?s Team In Training program is the leading endurance sports charity training program. TNT provides coaching for various athletic events, including full and half marathons, triathlons and a century (100-mile) bike ride. Participants raise funds for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services in exchange for training, lodging and airfare to the event of their choice. Since its inception in 1988, TNT has trained over 500,000 athletes who together have raised over $1.2 billion for cancer research.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ? (LLS) is the world?s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin?s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.
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