SALEM Runner helps in leukemia battle

The phys ed teacher runs in memory of a child who died as an infant and in honor of a sixth-grader whose disease is in remission.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR HEALTH WRITER
SALEM -- Larry Jensen says running a marathon last year for the Leukemia & amp; Lymphoma Society's Team in Training was one of the "most rewarding and uplifting" events of his life.
So rewarding, in fact, that Jensen plans to do it again and run the Governor's Cup Marathon on June 1 in Helena, Mont. He'll be part of a 40-member Team in Training group from the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Leukemia & amp; Lymphoma Society.
He ran his first 26.2-mile race, the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, last year, and raised $2,900 for cancer research. His goal this year is $3,500.
About team: Team In Training is a fund-raising and training program that offers runners individual training and group training to prepare for marathons. The runner's financial goal is determined by multiplying the expenses of the trip by four.
Nationally, about 75 percent of the money raised goes to cancer research. In the Northern Ohio Chapter, about 84 percent of the money raised goes to research, society officials said.
Jensen, 50, a runner for 35 years, had always wanted to run a marathon, and thought he would add a "cause" to it.
But he had no idea how much it would affect him, he said: "Once I got involved and got to meet these kids, it kind of tears your heart out."
Keeps him going: Jensen said he runs in memory of Ashlin Marie Cottrill, who died of leukemia as an infant, and in honor of Kayla Hankey, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Reed Middle School in Struthers. Ashlin has family in the Cortland area. Kayla's cancer is in remission, he said.
Jensen, a physical education instructor and student life coordinator at Kent State University Salem Branch, said that he is grateful for the generous contributions he received last year and that he hopes people will respond again. He is a member of the Youngstown Road Runners and the Lions Club.
He said money for research is the only thing that is going to cure leukemia and lymphoma. Donations are tax deductible, and Jensen said checks should be made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and mailed to Larry Jensen, 4205 Staatz Drive, Youngstown 44511.