SCHENECTADY, NY -- Union College freshman cross country student-athlete Kaitlyn Suarez knows all about the challenges of life. She has faced many challenges in her 19 years, and yet, runs right through them and makes her teammates and those in need proud of her accomplishments.

Recently, Kaitlyn competed in the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida. She came in with a time of 3:07. Suarez ran as part of the Long Island Branch of Team in Training as a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma three separate times during high school and underwent a bone marrow transplant last year to treat the disease. She is now healthy and running strong. She just completed a great freshmen season on the cross country team at Union.

"I completed 13.1 miles, and it had to be one of the best experiences of my life," Kaitlyn said. "I am so thankful for everyone who donated to help make the weekend possible."

Kaleigh Moore, a captain for the Dutchwomen's cross country team, said "Kait's story is unbelievable and this was a huge accomplishment for her. As one of the captain's on our team, I am extremely proud of her and so happy to have her as a teammate."

The day of the race, January 7, was Katilyn's 19th birthday, and she raised $4,425 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is still accepting donations at her website:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/wdw12/kaitlynsuarez



In Kaitlyn's senior year at Shoreham-Wading River High School, classmates organized a week-long fundraiser that culminated with the "Turn Valentine's Day Purple" event. The Natural Helpers, an extracurricular group of students who offer emotional support to their peers, sold purple T-shirts (purple being the color of Hodgkin's Lymphoma awareness). A senior student knitted more than thirty purple scarves and donated them for sale.

On Valentine's Day, instead of wearing red and pink to school, students wore purple T-shirts with a scoreboard graphic reading, “Kait: 3, Cancer: 0.” They also donned purple accessories.

Students purchased and filled out heart-shaped messages to be delivered to Kaitlyn and teachers and administrators bought lavendar roses by the dozen to bring home to their spouses. When Kaitlyn, who hasn't been able to attend school, visited her friends and classmates Monday morning, she was awe-struck by the number of people wearing purple.

“Whether they know me personally or not, everyone shows their support,” she said. “It's amazing. It's so comforting.”