"I came home from work thinking I was coming down with a bad cold or flu. That night was the last I remember of the month of February," says Chapman. Before the week was out, Chapman had undergone three major brain surgeries and had a section of his skull removed due to an infection that had started in his brain. Chapman's prognosis was not good, and no one was sure what permanent effects the bacteria in his brain may have caused.

Chapman, who holds a doctorate in physics and engineering and works on communication satellites, was eventually diagnosed with a blood-related lymphoma cancer. Over the course of a year, Chapman would have to undergo intensive chemotherapy and also relearn how to walk and speak.

Although Chapman feels that a combination of his faith, physical therapy and the expertise of his doctors played a part in his almost total recovery, he credits his involvement with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as helping his recovery immensely. Chapman's children, Jeannette Lindsay and Lance Chapman, joined the society's Team in Training South Bay running team in honor of their father and raised almost $12,000 for the society.

The team trains weekly at marathon running, obtaining pledges to help the organization fund research and support for cancer patients. Joining the team helped the siblings to not only show their support and encouragement for their father—it helped them conquer the feelings of powerlessness that they experienced when their father was first diagnosed.

Photograph by George Sakkestad Team in Training member Rory Quick, husband of honoree Celeste Flores, runs laps during practice.

"Early in my dad's recovery, he was depressed and at a low point," she says. "His life had really changed drastically and it was hard for him. We hoped our involvement would encourage him. Expectation exceeded all hopes because Dad not only came out to cheer us on, he got pulled right into helping us."

Chapman's wife, Camille, emphasizes just how "pulled in" he became—her children's first marathon in Hawaii literally brought Chapman into the race.

"When they reached Diamond Head during the marathon, Rol joined in with them at the last part of the race," she says. "It was such a moment for the coaches and everyone involved. Everyone was in tears seeing Rol's recovery and watching him run part of the race."

Today, almost one year later, Chapman is not only involved with Team in Training as an honoree, he is also near complete remission and will soon run a half-marathon that he is now training for. Chapman praises the organization for being "so instrumental in his expedient recovery" and says he is honored to be involved.

Camille will never forget the day her husband stepped out onto the practice track, well enough to begin running again. "The first time he walked out onto the track, all that could be heard was a loud cheer for Rol. It was amazing," she says.

Photograph by George Sakkestad Team in Training manager Licia Granger cheers on runners during practice at the Los Gatos High School track.

The South Bay region has eight honorees who are either currently being treated or have finished treatment for a blood-related cancer. The honorees include adults as well as children and help to "put a face to the disease." The honorees also help to inspire others to get involved in the society and raise awareness about leukemia and related diseases.

Hightower describes the fight against leukemia as "a tough one" but is encouraged by research and treatment improvements over the past 10 years, explaining that today victims of leukemia and lymphoma have a better chance than ever before of beating the disease.

His wife, who is in remission after a challenging bout with acute lymphocytic leukemia, supports her husband in his training for his next marathon, which will take place in early June. He is excited to help others, considering his family has been personally touched by both the disease and "the fantastic organization."

Hightower is grateful that the society had support systems in place to help them during his wife's fight with leukemia. Hightower is committed to raising money for the organization because he "is looking for a way to give something back to people."

His wife, Jacquelyn, has had some residual effects from the chemotherapy and radiation she had to undergo but is doing well. He is grateful to the organization for the support they received during his wife's bone marrow transplants and fight with cancer.

"Having someone that understands what the patient is going through is invaluable," says Hightower. "As close as my wife and I are, I didn't have leukemia and she did."

Photograph by George Sakkestad Honoree Rol Chapman gives Lisa Beckman a hug during Team in Training practice.

Hightower also encourages people to come out and join the team, explaining that it is a positive, encouraging group that offers an excellent support network no matter what the runner's level of fitness or experience. "It's been the most positive experience we have had since going through the whole experience with Jacquelyn," says Hightower.

Celeste Flores, a Los Gatos resident who is now a junior at Santa Clara University, echoes his sentiments. Celeste was diagnosed at age 16 with Hodgkin's disease and spent most of her junior and senior years of high school in bed, recovering from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

An honoree at the beginning of her time with Team in Training, Flores is grateful for the support she received from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"Friends in high school wanted to help but were in a different place than I was at the time. It was nice to be somewhere where I could communicate openly about what I was going through," says Flores.

Flores describes the team from the position of being a staff member, a participant and a survivor. "It is such a receptive environment. Bonds form between everybody on the team—you share a lot of triumphs and even personal experiences."

Flores encourages people not to be afraid of the athletic or fundraising aspect of being involved with the team, explaining that the funds raised really make a difference in the lives of people affected by blood-related cancers. "Anybody can do this," says Flores. "If a survivor like myself can log hundreds of miles on the track, I know that anybody can."

Flores has celebrated being in remission since June of 1999 and is now married to her junior high school sweetheart, Rory Quick, who also runs with the team. Flores and her husband are now co-captains of the team. Flores is looking forward to running her third marathon.

Photograph by George Sakkestad Honoree Celeste Flores meets honoree Kristi Peterson before a Team in Training practice.

An impressive operation, the team has 20 mentors to help coach people and also five training captains. The team trains for specific marathons that take them to various places, including Southern California, Oregon and Alaska.

The society helps to fund more than 40 local researchers of blood-related cancers at UC-Berkeley, Stanford and UCSF. Along with research, it also helps to fund patient services, including treatment, counseling and support groups. The organization also helps to prepare classroom teachers and students for when children that are cancer survivors return to school after treatment.

Granger's world was also touched by cancer when her father recently lost his battle with a different form of cancer. "I wanted to get involved with endurance running, and this was a way to do it and also help people at the same time," says Granger.

Granger explains that 75 percent of the money raised goes to fund researchers and support for victims' families. The other 25 percent funds the teams' overhead, including salaries, marathon expenses and travel costs.

Each participant of the team has a fundraising minimum to meet that helps to pay for expenses and the comprehensive training program members undergo. In addition to marathon-running programs, Team in Training has many other branches, including training programs for triathlons, bicycling, mountain biking, cross country ski events, and walking marathons. All serve to raise funds for leukemia and lymphoma research and support.

Rol Chapman appreciates this support as he reflects back on that day in February when his life changed so drastically. "I want to give back to the team this time and cheer them on. This is a group of people giving up a tremendous amount, including time to raise money and also train for events. They are focused and loving people. Saving lives is important to them."

Team in Training can be reached at 408.271.2873.