04/10/2026
Monica’s story began when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at 7 years old. During her treatment, her mom joined Team In Training and walked the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in her honor, showing what it looks like to support someone you love through blood cancer.
For a time, life settled back into a sense of normalcy. But years later, her family faced blood cancer again. This time, it was her brother.
“Cancer is tough, but Zach is tougher. We love you, bud,” Monica shared about her brother, Zach, after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.
As treatment began, Monica found herself thinking back to that earlier chapter, when her mom showed up for her through Team In Training.
She began considering how she could do the same for her brother, wanting to take something deeply personal and make it meaningful in the same way her mom once did.
As Monica put it, “What a cool idea to go hiking AND make it mean something, right?”
Monica trains with Team In Training in honor of Zach, turning that moment into a full-circle moment and carrying forward the same support her family once gave her.
During National Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week, we're lifting up stories like Monica and Zach's. What Team In Training event have you completed to support someone you care about? Let us know below! 💜