Canadian Diplomat Crosses Borders and Runs to Help Fight Blood Cancers

Madison Heights, MI, September 24, 2004 - As a diplomat stationed at the Canadian Consulate General in Detroit, Philip Lupul's professional focus is on U.S. - Canada border security and cooperation. As a runner, on October 24th, Lupul will exemplify the best of the friendship and goodwill that characterizes the U.S. and Canadian border. On that day, along with an estimated 7,000 other runners and walkers, and as part of the Detroit Free Press Marathon and Half Marathon, he will navigate on foot both Detroit area border links (The Ambassador Bridge and Windsor-Detroit Tunnel).

"My job is to increase understanding and cooperation between Canada and the U.S.," said Lupul. "The Detroit Marathon crosses the Canada - U.S. border not once but twice. As the only marathon to cross international boundaries twice, the race symbolizes in a very real way the openness and depth of friendship that exists between our two great countries. Both countries can be proud of the cooperation that allows this unique event to occur."

To ready himself for the marathon, Lupul joined The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) program. Through that program, he has had the benefit of a training schedule, group trainings, and coaches to motivate him on his way to completion of his first marathon. "Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have participated in the Society's Team In Training program in the past 15 years," explained Jim Slaughter, Executive Director of the Society's Michigan Chapter. "The outstanding efforts of Philip and others are helping us cross the finish line when it comes to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma."

In addition to training for the October 24th event, Lupul has also committed to raise funds to support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. "Leukemia is a disease that has touched my own family and, just in the last year or so, my workplace has been devastated by cancers. I have lost a co-worker to chronic lymphocytic leukemia and another of my co-workers lost her 10-year-old son to cancer," said Lupul. "I am honored to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon in memory of these two very special 'honoured heroes.' Their courage, dignity and spirit in dealing with cancer made a profound and lasting impact on all of us who had the good fortune to be touched by them." Lupul notes that the same spirit of cooperation that allows the Detroit Free Press Marathon to cross the U.S.-Canada border is also evident in his fundraising activities. "My fundraising campaign has received support from both the U.S. and Canada. I have been deeply touched by the generosity and willingness of Americans and Canadians to unite across our shared border to fight the common enemy of blood cancers."

About Team In Training

Team In Training is the world's largest endurance sports training program. The program provides training to run or walk a whole or half marathon or participate in a triathlon or century (100-mile) bike ride. The program also supplies each participant with a unique website to facilitate their communication, information and fundraising efforts. Participants raise funds for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services in exchange for training, support, and lodging and airfare to the event of their choice. Since TNT's inception, more than 220,000 participants have raised $500 million. For more information about Team In Training and to learn how you can support a Team In Training participant, visit www.teamintraining.org

About Philip Lupul

Philip Lupul is a career Foreign Service Officer and Diplomat with the Government of Canada, Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. He is presently Consul and Immigration Program Manager at the Canadian Consulate General in Detroit, Michigan, a position he has held since August, 2001. For more information, contact:

Philip Lupul Consul & Immigration Program Manager Consulate General of Canada

Website: http://www.teamintraining.org/participant/lupul-192892

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 812,000 contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals through services provided at its home office and by its 63 chapters nationwide.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET