Even before Team In Training (TNT) was created, Lucy Duffy had run a marathon to raise money to fight leukemia. Her 54-year-old husband, Allen, was diagnosed in 1985 with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). In 1986 she ran the NYC Marathon in honor of Allen. Hoping to raise a couple of hundred dollars, she called her campaign Lucy Against Leukemia and ran in a homemade LUCY AGAINST LEUKEMIA shirt, giving handouts promoting her cause. She raised $22,000. Allen lost his battle with leukemia a month later.
Lucy was a member of the first TNT team in the NYC Marathon in 1988. The team raised over $250,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Since then Lucy has done nine marathons, a century ride and many triathlons, raising well over $200,000.
Lucy has given her "Running Through Grief" speech all over the country and in Dublin, Ireland, and Connecticut. She has been bestowed with honors from The National Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and by the Connecticut and Massachusetts Chapters of LLS. In fact, the Massachusetts Chapter created the Lucy Against Leukemia Award, which is presented annually, often to survivors who have gone on to help others by participating in TNT events.
"Running, and now sprint triathlons and biking, have sustained me physically and emotionally and, combined with TNT events, have lent focus and a deep sense of satisfaction of going beyond myself, helping others and making a difference," says Lucy.