Team in Training

provides participants with the coaching, training and travel opportunities

to make their athletic goals a reality. In exchange for training in either

running, walking or cycling, participants raise money to help find a cure

for the diseases supported by the organization.

McIntosh is

currently accepting donations for Stillions' bike ride. The school had

originally set a goal of $2,500, which it has already reached. In fact,

the student body was so excited about helping another student in need

that $300 in cash was raised in one day. A portion of the funds raised

Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of Murphy can do so in the

front office of the school during regular school hours.

After hearing

about Stillions' plan to participate in Team in Training, Dr. William

Arban of Peachtree City donated a bike frame for the cause. Stillions

took the frame and had a bicycle specially built for the fund-raiser,

which is scheduled Nov. 10 in Claxton, Ga.

Although it

takes a lot of endurance training to prepare for such a long ride, Stillions

says it is the least he can do to help one of his students win a battle

against a disease that has higher incidence rates in adolescents and young

adults.

"If my

100-mile ride and the donations can benefit Kelli or can make a positive

change in her life, then all the training and work for this ride will

have been worth it," he said.

More than 30,000

runners, walkers and cyclists are expected to participate in marathons

across the nation this year on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Team In Training has raised millions of dollars toward finding cures for

leukemia, the number one disease-killer of children under 15, lymphoma,

the leading killer of men and women under 35, as well as Hodgkin's disease

and myeloma.