Glittering gift bags of power water, shock blocks, and GU awaited me at my seat. Helium-filled balloons adorned the high ceiling of the ballroom in a rainbow of colors. A buzz of energy filled the air. Saturday, February 2, 2008 kicked off the start of Team In Training's spring season.

Today, at the Crown Plaza in Foster City, participants were introduced to their coaches, team managers, captains, mentors, and honorees (people who are battling leukemia or lymphoma). There was a mixture of emotions- nervousness and excitement. It almost felt like a multi-level marketing event. Only this time, the people were real and the testimonies were real.

The event was not planned to sell anything, but to share in the joy of being a part of something special. The only thing they were interested in selling is HOPE; hope for hundred and thousands of people who are battling cancer. And hope for the participants wanting to make a difference in this world by running to support the fight against cancer.

Team In Training is the largest endurance-training program in the U.S. They provide its participants with coaching and training expertise. But most importantly, TNT supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The society-funded research has contributed to major advances in the treatment of cancer. But more progress is needed to find cures.

Someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer every 5 minutes; every 10 minutes someone dies. In fact, despite the many breakthroughs, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under 20. However, cancer, in general, is non-discriminatory. It can infect anyone regardless of health. I have family and friends who are battling cancer. The scary part is that everyone knows at least one person with cancer. 

Sitting in the ballroom amongst hundreds of people, all with the same goal, left me feeling inspired. I knew this is where I want to be. I knew this is what I want to do. I want to be surrounded by amazing people- all those involved with TNT and the honorees.  I want to run not just for personal glory, but to support the fight against cancer.

The quote by Bill Hybels best sums up my discovery today:

"Once you decide to invest even a small portion of the blessings God has given you into the lives of others, you'll find the seed of something powerful sown into your own soul. And someday, in the midst of giving yourself in the spirit and act of volunteerism, that seed will blossom into the amazing realization that this is what you were made for!"