Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Fight of Her Life: Willow Glen resident Karen Williams, an elementary school teacher at Almaden Elementary School, has been battling leukemia for more than a year.
Friendship sparks motivation to participate in a marathon for cure
Debbie Neale to raise money for blood cancer research
By Amy Jenkins
When they met each other 12 years ago, Debbie Neale and Karen Williams were organizing carpools and packing sack lunches for their children who attended Willow Glen Elementary School.
Today, though, Neale is training for the Oct. 7 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Marathon, in Victoria, British Columbia, in honor of her friend who has leukemia.
"Who would have thought, years ago, I would have a liver transplant and she would be diagnosed with leukemia," Neale said. "And here we are."
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world's largest private organization dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia and other blood-related cancers and improving the quality of patients' lives. It is supported entirely by public contributions, and all the funds raised in the marathon go to the society.
Williams, who has lived in Willow Glen since 1978, is a second-grade teacher at Almaden Elementary School. Neale is sponsoring Williams because "she has a great positive outlook on things, and disease, and whatever she is battling she doesn't let it get her down. She looks great, healthy, always has a smile, and lives life to the fullest, as we all should."
Although Williams was diagnosed with leukemia a year ago and has been waiting for a bone marrow transplant, Neale describes her as "positive, upbeat, with a great smile, and a warm personality."
Williams is currently in remission after chemotherapy, but "it won't last," she says. She says she is involved in clinical trials, or experimental medicine, because she has only found a half match donor, not a full one yet.
"I was sick last year and couldn't teach, but in April I came back to teaching," Williams said. "Debbie is a really good friend, and I'm honored she thought of me."
Neale lived in Willow Glen for 10 years before recently moving to San Mateo. She was 17 years old when she contracted Hepatitis B, which turned into cirrhosis of the liver. Neale says she lived a normal life during the 10 months she waited for a liver donation, and in December 1996, with only days to live, she received a liver transplant.
That liver transplant almost five years ago did not stop Neale from training 22 miles, the maximum training distance recommended for marathoners. She says the marathon is a celebration of recovery, to help others, and to help Karen.
"I remember when I couldn't do anything after the transplant, I was so sick, so this is so meaningful in many ways," Neale says. "It's about another chance at life."
The Team in Training Program, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's most successful fundraising program nation-wide, will train an estimated 23,000 runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes for various marathons this year and three years ago earned a record-breaking $60 million. The Northern California Chapter, the largest in the country and the one in which Neale participates, expects an income of $15 million dollars this year.
The program offers runners and walkers a three-to five-month comprehensive training program with guidance from world-class athletes, such as two-time Olympic race walker Tom Dooley. In exchange for raising money, marathon participants receive travel accommodations, entry fees, supervised coaching, nutritional advice, injury prevention, fund-raising materials, and support and encouragement throughout fundraising and training for the marathon.
Since June, Neale has raised $5,000 from family, friends, co-workers and donations from people she did not know. Strangers found out about the cause and gave Neale money because many had a loved one pass away from the disease, she says. Approximately 20,000 people from all over the United States--4,000 from 10 Northern California teams--are participating in the marathon to raise money to find a cure and honor a friend or loved one.
"The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is very well organized because they provide coaches and nutritionists--you just have to put the effort in," Neale says. "The whole experience has been very positive and everyone has been so supportive. I am proud and happy to be able to do it."
Williams says she is grateful to have a friend like Neale.
"She knows how scary it is to be sick, and this marathon is affirmation of the human spirit," she says.
To learn about bone marrow donation, call the American Red Cross, 510.594.5145.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
