Cierra, 8
Amber Bachmayer, 3, of Oregon
Elana Williams, 4
Owen Kirk, 7, of Lambertville, MI
Tate Peters, 16 months, Toledo.jpg)
When the going gets tough, sometimes the tough get running—but not until after doing some research.
At least, that’s what Doug and Janell Hartman did when they found out that their daughter, Nataleigh, then 16-months-old, had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Lymphoma (ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. “I spent days on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s website [www.lls.org],” says Doug. He found out about one of the society’s national campaigns: Team In Training® (TNT), which coaches and trains participants to finish fundraising endurance events.
He tackled his first one in 2007, the Cleveland Half Marathon. Since both parents were consumed by Nataleigh’s treatment—she had only been diagnosed 8 months earlier—and Janell was out of commission due to pregnancy, Doug participated without much training. “I ran the first nine miles on adrenaline and emotion, not stopping a single time,” he says. “I hit the wall big time at mile nine. I experienced what I thought was an entire body cramp.” He limped his way to the finish line. Janell joined him five years later for the same race, her first, in 2012. “I beat him by eight minutes. He’ll blame it on his lack of training again,” she quipped.
Something even more momentous has occurred in those years: Nataleigh is now a healthy 7-year-old who, in December 2012, celebrated four years since her last treatment. A sports enthusiast like her parents, Nataleigh also enjoys reading, and dreams of creating a chemo that tastes like Doritos. The Northern Ohio chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society named her Girl of the Year, an honor reserved for a local child battling blood cancer who can motivate and inspire fundraisers for the Society. Since its inception in 1988, the organization has raised over a billion dollars to help fund blood cancer research and to assist patients and families.
“It is difficult to put into words how much we appreciate everyone that has any connection to TNT,” says Janell. “Our daughter is a constant reminder of this and we can’t thank them enough.”
Find out how you can participate in Team in Training® by visiting
www.teamintraining/org/nohor calling 216-264-5694.
Grab your ghosts and goblins and head to the Shops at Fallen Timbers Fall Festival. Bring the family to enjoy hayrides, pony rides, face painting, bounce houses, and carnival games. These activities will take place on the grass pad across from Rave Cinemas. You and your little ghouls can go trick-or-treating from store to store. Entertainment also includes a performance by children entertainers the Wanna Bees Band. The ice rink will open for the season on festival day. Make certain to wear your Halloween costumes and bring your ice skates.
The event takes place at the Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St. in Maumee on Saturday, October 19, from 12-3pm. For information call
419-878-6255 or visit theshopsatfallentimbers.com.
While Halloween is a holiday typically filled with magic and the supernatural, that doesn't mean there's no room for science, too. The folks at Imagination Station have just the perfect formula with their Spooky Science series. Throughout the entire month, Imagination Station's scientists will hold demonstrations on how to concoct goulish tricks and yummy treats, like Edible Blood, Bloody Handprints, Ghost Crystals, Boo Bubbles and Slime. All the experiments are safe and simple, so afterward little witches and wizards can cook up their own mischief at home. It's sure to be a scary good time! Activities will vary daily.
October 1-31. 10am-5pm, closed Mondays. Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way. 419-244-2674.
imaginationstationtoledo.org
The dog licks my hand to wake me up. It’s 5:00 a.m. My hand is wet and she is earlier than her usual 6:00 a.m. walk. I tell her to go lay back down and she does. But as soon as she does her three or four circles on the floor she starts to lick herself loudly.
I am now awake and as consciousness rolls in the thoughts of what I have to do for the day fill my head like gumballs in a gumball machine: I have to prepare that brief. Am I ready for that hearing? What meetings do I have today? What do the kids have today? Does Heidi have a meeting tonight?
The thoughts grow exponentially and I realize that I will not go back to sleep. At 5:10 a.m. I push back the covers and set my feet on the creaky wood floors. I can feel the pain in my ankles from yesterday’s run. I get two steps and then there is a soft voice.
“Dad,” my son says from his bedroom. It’s quiet and I can hear in his voice that he is still half asleep. Before I can even turn to his room his voice grows louder.
“Dad!” He is now more awake and sure he wants me.
I walk a couple more steps and am almost to his door.
“DAD!” he now yells.
“Calm down buddy. I am here. Lay back down.” I say in a calm manner.
I then lay down with him and hold him. He calms down and quickly falls asleep. As his breathing becomes louder the thoughts of all I have to do continue to fill until the gumball machine explodes from all the pressure. How can I have so many things to do? Was it easier when I was younger, single and free of responsibilities? Did I have more to do then?
Feeling the tug of the day I look for my opportunity to get out of his bed and get going with the day. I have so much to do. Its 5:30 a.m. I have wasted 30 minutes. How will I get that back?
As I make sure my son is asleep and move gently out of the bed, something from somewhere enters my head to slow down. Stop what you are doing. Look at that boy.
I obey the voice in my head and see one of the most important parts of my life; his sister and mother as the others. I am overwhelmed for some reason. Tears come to my eyes. A few years ago none of this existed. A few years from now everything will be different. He won’t want me to hold him then. Will I be in such a rush then to get to everything that must be done? Will there be more to do then?
7:00 a.m. I wake up and realize I fell asleep next to him. I look over and see him there, peacefully asleep.
I can’t hold off the day any more. I have to get up. But before I do I take a few minutes to just watch him and remember this particular moment, free from any thoughts of today or its obligations, and take in the joy of simply being a dad.
The Walk to end Alzheimer’s will be held nationwide in over 600 communities. Participants of all ages and abilities will walk to help millions have a better future-one that includes making and having more memories with their loved ones.
The event is the largest fundraiser for the Northwest Ohio Alzheimer’s Association. Laps are not counted in this family-friendly walk that is approximately one mile long around the Lucas County fairgrounds. The walk includes kids’ activities throughout the day such as face painting and a Big Red Chair photo booth. Food will be provided by Nick & Jimmy’s and live music by Distant Cousinz will entertain the crowd. The walk is free yet participants are asked to raise funds to contribute to the cause. Get information about the disease and support programs and services that are available in our area.
Be sure to select a flower from the Promise Garden. The flowers, personalizing your reason for walking, will be used during the program.
The Walk for Alzheimer’s is being held at the Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St., Maumee on Sunday, October 20. Registration is free. Check-in begins at 12:30pm. The Walk begins at 2:30pm. Parking is available in the lots in front of the Lucas County Recreation Center. For more information contact 1-800-272-3900 or 419-537-1999,
email [email protected] or visit alz.org.
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