Adrienne has battled Hodgkin's disease since she was 9 years old. But finally, after a progressive transplant surgery, Adrienne's disease has been in remission for the past six months. And to honor this new phase of her life, Adrienne is taking time to push herself for the ultimate goal--the ability to feel strong and in control.

A junior at Saratoga High School, Adrienne has been training to walk the 31st annual Honolulu Marathon on Dec. 14 with her mother, Alison, as part of Team in Training, an endurance and fundraising program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The two are joining 1,000 other Bay Area residents for the 26.2­mile event, which takes a scenic route along the coast from the Honolulu Harbor to Diamond Head.

In preparation, the mother-daughter duo has been following a daily schedule set out by TNT for the past several months. They train six days a week, combining long-distance walks with Pilates, strength training, and abdominal work.

Established in 1993, TNT is the society's most successful fundraiser. The Northern California division is the most successful of all TNT programs, raising an estimated $17 million per year through marathons, triathlons, and cycling events.

With the marathon only weeks away, the training is getting intense, with sessions up to 22 miles long. However, the distances will soon taper off to give participants a rest before the real challenge begins. "It's going to be hard. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it," Adrienne says shyly. But, she adds, she is determined to do it.

"It's a great thing we could do together, and it's healthy for both of us," Alison says. "It's good for you, keeps you active and busy. And she is so much better."

Between 1996 and 2002, Adrienne underwent chemotherapy treatment several times and had a stem cell transplant using her own cells. However, in September 2002, her cancer returned. The only option to combat the cancer was a new procedure called a nonmyeloablative transplant, which would be done using the cells of her 15-year-old brother, Daniel. The risk was high, with an 80 percent mortality rate, yet Adrienne was a prime candidate, as she was in remission and had no major complications, and her brother was a perfect bone-marrow match.

The transplant was a success, but five months in the hospital left Adrienne unable to walk once she was home. "It wasn't my bones that were the problem this time," Adrienne says. "It was my muscles, they were atrophied. When I walked, I was very weak and fell a few times."

Alison enrolled her daughter in intense physical therapy, and they decided to participate in the marathon.

Although hesitant about the actual event, Adrienne is adamant about the benefits of planning for the marathon. "I think this was an important part of my recovery," she says. "I don't know how I would have done it without having this goal. I don't think I would have gotten back to health. And now I can also raise money for a cause that's worth it."

So far, Adrienne and Alison have raised $24,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Of the money collected, 25 percent will be used toward getting to the marathon destination, and 75 percent for research and patient services.

Although Adrienne is doing extremely well given the traumatic events she has endured over the years, she must still be vigilant with her daily routine. She continues to be on immunosuppressant medication, and must take intravenous fluids at night. She must also receive hydration for 10 hours a day, which she does by hooking up the portal implanted in her side to an ordinary-looking JanSport backpack that contains the necessary fluids.

Enrolled in four classes, Adrienne attends her English class every day, but participates in the others at home through a speakerphone set up in the class. Plugging headphones into her phone, she is able to listen to the lectures and keep up on her homework. Aside from her daily medications and weekly check-in with the hospital, her days are relatively normal, consisting of classes, marathon training, and time watching her favorite shows at night.

"I always insist on some time in front of the TV everyday," she says with a laugh.

To learn how to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or for more information about Team in Training, visit http://www.teamintraining.com.