Collegian

Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Life

Media Credit: Patricia Bergquist Trying to juggle fundraising and an overload of classes, Wagner prepares for a test in her nutrition class while waiting for donations.

Media Credit: Patricia Bergquist

Media Credit: Patricia Bergquist Stephanie Wagner shares a comforting embrace with Marilyn Bauer. Bauer's friend, Dave Bader passed away in February after struggling with a form of lymphoma. A type of cancer that strikes the body's lymphnodes. Full-time student and soon to be personal trainer, Wagner is trying to raise $1600.

Lorain County Community College student, Stephanie Wagner plans to run in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. This race will take place on May 20 at 7 a.m. The course for the marathon will be around the downtown area of Cleveland. Wagner and other racers will take part in this marathon, a fundraiser for Team in Training. This is an agency that raises funds for research to find the cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma cancers.

Wagner is trying to fit fundraising in with her 21 credit hour class schedule. Wagner is planning to graduate this May with her degree in sports and fitness management, a proficiency certificate in personal fitness training and group exercise instruction.

To participate in the marathon, Wagner needs to raise about $1600. She had a table set up during the Student Senate Health and Nutrition Awareness Fair. Wagner was selling candy bars for $5 to help her towards her goal.

During the final afternoon of the fair, Wagner shared a comforting embrace with Marilyn Bauer, who had just returned from a luncheon with friends.

An LCCC academic counselor, Bauer was on her way up to her office when she noticed the bright green and purple Team in Training banner. Within moments of speaking with Wagner, Bauer placed her face in her hand. Her face stricken with pain and tearing running down her cheeks, Bauer shared her story of recently losing a close friend to lymphoma.

Bauer said that her friend Dave Bader had passed on in February. Bauer shared that she had already written a check to a similar organization in memory of her friend. She did purchase a candy bar from Wagner.

"People have to support causes they believe in," Bauer said. "These outreach things are good. They help people."

For Wagner, it's not just a 26.2-mile race; it's a crusade to remember those who've gone before and to help those still struggling with Leukemia and Lymphoma.

"I am running for Dorothy Margo, a close family friend," Wagner said. "She was an incredible role model, She was a strong, spiritual and beautiful person."

According to Wagner, Margo passed away several years ago due to a blood cancer.

"It's amazing how many (people) I encounter, and how many of them are affected by these diseases," Wagner said.

Wagner may be setting up similar tables at area malls to help her gain the funds she needs. She has also been emailing her friends and family members. Wagner hopes she can find a corporate sponsor.

Wagner said that the marathon races are just one of many ways Team in Training or TNT raises funds for cancer research.

According to the website for TNT, teamintraining.org, lists events such as the Light the Night Walk, Hike for Discovery, The Leukemia Cup Regatta, and the Youth and School program.

Through the TNT website, folks can find a variety of information about cancer, cancer research, and ways to help.

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