Team Great Harvest Crosses the Line for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
After months of training and fundraising, Team Great Harvest crossed the finish in San Diego to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team In Training. With the help of GH customers, bakery owners and friends across the country, the team of bakery owners and franchise employees raised over $71,000 to help find the cure for cancer and all 14 team members made it over the finish line.
The best memories I have of the event are not about the finish. They are of watching all the team members together and seeing how they supported each other. Every person on the team had a personal reason for being there and wanting to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling with cancer and those who may one day be diagnosed. There were tears shed among many of us for those we’ve lost and those we love who are currently battling cancer…and a lot of smiles when talking about those who’ve beat it.
Sam Polito, who owns the Peoria Great Harvest with his wife Stephanie, is one of those survivors. He has beaten Lymphoma twice. He and Stephanie both joined this year’s team. Sam told me he’s not one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, but being there was an amazing experience for him and he found himself slowing his pace on the course to speak to others who were wearing “Survivor” declarations and was overwhelmed by LLS supporters on the sidelines.
Wayne Pennsylvania GH owner, Deb Zyskowski said the entire experience
was just incredible. While the training and stress of completing an event like this can be tough, Deb said it in no way compares to a single day in the life of a cancer patient. She plans to run many more miles for LLS in the quest for a cure…so that cancer patients can cross their finish line triumphantly.
Something very special happened to Mary Hellerstedt on the course. Along the route, she met up with a friend from Iowa, Scott, who has just finished treatment for aggressive B cell lymphoma. As he hugged her, he said through tears “this has saved my life.” They crossed paths at mile 10 and Scott told her that his feet were really hurting, but that they hurt at home too. It is a side effect of the treatment so he might as well have them hurt on the course. With a huge smile and hug, he told her “I’m alive!’
Helping people live is the reason this team came together. And they couldn’t have succeeded with the help of all of you who supported us from all across the country. On behalf of the team, thanks to all the bakery owners and employees who contributed and to every GH customer who may have dropped a dollar in jar or bought a product with proceeds going to the fundraising efforts. You are saving lives.
Front row: Kelli Morse Second row: Paul Tikalsky, Tim Peterson, Laurie Corkey, Mary Hellerstedt. Third row: Greg Garrard, Stephanie Polito, Mallari England, Amanda Flamm, Deb Zyskowski, Kayla Conner, Melissa Seith. Back Row: Sam Polito, Mike Ferretti
