Galvans run for their lives

Couple training to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

By JOE BOCANEGRA
Special to the NEWS

Richard and Rebecca Galvan (shown far left), members of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, are participating in the Team in Training program to help benefit the research of serious illnesses. (Courtesy photo)

Richard and Rebecca Galvan of San Benito are running for their lives… and other peoples less fortunate.

They are both members of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LSS), a non-profit organization concerned with the treatment and cure of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for both the patients and their families. It started in 1949 as a means to do research, perform patient services, and to help with the society’s mission. Their grant programs are the most renowned in assorted medical fields, according to Rebecca.

Today, the Galvans are participating in Team in Training (TNT), one of the world’s largest endurance sports training programs. Created in 1988, the program has raised over $1 billion; most of that amount has been given to research, patient services, and advocacy, Rebecca said. The participants train four to five months under strict guidance of local coaches in order to perform certain endurance sports, like hiking a national park or cycle a 100 mile bike ride. In return, the participants raise money in the fight against the diseases.

At the moment they are collecting funds for a 26.2 mile marathon in San Antonio that will take place on Nov. 13, 2011. Although they have already reached their goals, they are still collecting until Nov. 6.

“This past Sunday we were in Port Isabel and raised almost $1,000,” Richard said. “And you tend to be surprised with who gives us money,” Rebecca added. “We have people giving out $20, $30 because they know of a relative who is suffering.”

Earlier this year, the Galvans received support from the business community to hold an enchilada plate fundraiser and are now planning a pool tournament in mid-October.

Although it is Richard’s second time participating, and Rebecca’s first, that does not stop them from giving it their all.

“Like we’re doing it right now, that marathon in San Antonio, you’ll be able to tell the pain and the agony that the cancer patients are going through, and we’ll still keep on going,” Richard said before he and Rebecca credited those who assisted in their contribution efforts. “Cancer isn’t prejudiced. It will attack anyone.”

For more information, call Richard M. Galvan at (956) 490-6251 or Rebecca Vera-Galvan at (956) 454-2870.

To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Aug. 17 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.