WHY WE TRI
Hi guys! Thanks for coming to our website. For quite sometime, Tony and I had felt it in our hearts to make a difference not only our lives, but for the lives of others. We've searched for activities and events where could volunteer and have a positive impact on others. Cancer had always been a very important and personal issue that we've been eager to support. So many individuals within our family and friends have been diagnosed with various types of cancer. When I was younger, I used to think that only "other" people get cancer. Not anyone that I personally knew. But as time goes by more and more people within our circle are getting diagnosed and sometimes losing their battle. In 2004, Tony's mom lost her long battle with cancer. What started out as breast cancer, spread to her lymph nodes, brain, and bone and eventually to her lungs. It was a very emotionally challenging time for Tony and his family. As it hit closer to home, it fueled our desire to help find a cure and hopefully save lives.

We had been inspired by the stories and challenges of current cancer patients and honorees. To do our part and help find a cure, in the Winter of 2008 we joined Team In Training program to compete in the Lavaman Triathlon (Kona, Hawaii), our first Olympic-distance triathlon, and raise money for leukemia and other cancers. Last year, I could barely swim a lap and totally feared the open water. I may not have had all the athletic abilities, but it was for a great cause and I had the determination to do it! It's was all heart baby!

Some people may have asked "why we decided to train for a triathlon instead of to just simply raising the funds?" We were not only there to run, bike and swim, but we were there to inspire hope that there can be a cure. The cancer society's Team In Training Program uses long distance sports as a symbol of endurance and hope. And by doing this triathlon we were fundraising and spreading awareness in hopes to help find a cure.



A TIME TO REFLECT
It’s been a few weeks since our triathlon event and surprisingly, I still have the race numbers suntanned into my shoulders. During these past few weeks we've had time to reflect on our journey. What once seemed like an unthinkable task a few months ago, has actually become a reality. We completed an Olympic Distance Lavaman Triathlon. I faced my fear of the open water and swam one mile, I learned to ride twenty-five miles on a road bike with clipless pedals and I recovered from an ankle injury and trekked thru six miles of lavarocks and sand. Check out some photos from race weekend.

As much as this had been an accomplishment physically, this race was more about the journey we experienced to get there. It was about helping others and impacting lives other than our own. We trained with many inspiring cancer survivors who shared their personal stories with us. We met motivated and optimistic teammates, coaches, mentors and forged lifelong friendships. Together we were challenged both physically and mentally by injuries, aches, personal struggles and moments of doubt. But overcoming these obstacles together was a bonding experience not only as team, but between Tony and I. This journey has been a life changing experience that has given us a little more perspective on life and what we as individuals can do to continue to do our part.

INSPIRED TO BE A TEAM IN TRAINING MENTOR
After this amazing adventure, we've felt it in our hearts to continue striving to help others.This season, I became a part of the supporting mentor staff for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training 2009 summer triathlon season. In the next few months, I along with several other people with be mentoring incoming summer participants. We will help prepare the new participants for their Olympic-distance triathlon at Pacific Grove. Thru September, we will be there during training practices, help with team events, cheer them on and provide overall encouragement and support. Just as everyone has helped me complete my first triathlon, this season, I will help them get to the finish line!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

We would like to thank you for your support over the past few months! It has really meant so much to us. We have read and heard every piece of encouragement. It's amazing what a few words can do to pump you up. You have helped us reach our fundraising goal and have donated more than $11,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of our triathlon fundraising. We are so appreciative of everything that you have done. Every donation has helped to find a cure for cancers. The funds you have contributed are helping to save lives!

Thank you!
=) Tony and Donella (Bernardo) Dimaano