PEOPLE PROFILE: Carrie Rosati going the distance to fight cancer

By Joyce Miles<br><a href="mailto:joyce.miles@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Joyce</a>

If she could run cancer out of her cousin’s life, she would.

Instead, Carrie Rosati will run a half-marathon as a show of strength. Her cousin’s strength, that is.

Carrie, 26, joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Team In Training program earlier this year for cousin Annalynn Surace, 23, who is battling acute myeloid leukemia.

Carrie will wrap up 18 weeks of intense athletic training with her participation in the 13.1-mile Buffalo Marathon on May 24. It’s a challenge, considering she’s also been working full-time at Fisher Price and completing the requirements for a master’s degree at the same time, but it seemed the least she could do for her cousin.

“Annalynn spent a month in Roswell (Park Cancer Institute) last year, and she’s become a big advocate for raising awareness what people can do, how they can respond when this happens to someone they know. It’s not about just giving money, it’s about giving blood, giving marrow ...,” Carrie said. “She’s taught me so much about what people need. It’s so many other things (besides money). Running is something I can do.”

Carrie was already signed up to participate in the Buffalo Marathon on her own when Annalynn was diagnosed with leukemia last October. When she learned about Team In Training, she was glad to make the switch from independent runner to team player.

The Western New York & Finger Lakes Team In Training consists of 36 athletes all running, walking and/or cycling in endurance events for a blood relative who’s fighting cancer. As they train they’re raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-funded medical research and patient programs.

Carrie’s goal is to raise $1,500. So far, she’s raised about $1,100, and is optimistic a Sunday fundraiser at Spring Lake Winery will put her close to, or over, the top. Carrie and AnnaLynn are co-hosting the wine-tasting party.

Ironically, Annalynn was in the midst of graduate-level study of epidemiology, the study of disease prevention and treatment, when she received her diagnosis. She had to shelve her course work at the University at Buffalo and submit to intensive chemotherapy in order to get leukemia into remission.

Annalynn is in “maintenance” therapy now, anticipating rounds of chemo every six weeks through April 2010. It’s a lot less grueling than the initial treatment, she said, and so long as her body handles it well enough the next few months, she should be able to return to school.

As she’s accompanied Carrie at weekly athletic training sessions and Team In Training events, Annalynn said she finds it curious that the athletes’ cancer-patient partners are referred to the “honored patients.”

“Really, I’m the one who’s honored,” she said. “I’m so touched to know (Carrie) would take time out of her life and work so hard for this cause.”

The wine-tasting fundraiser will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Spring Lake Winery, 7373 Rochester Road (east of Quality Market). Wine and cheese will be served; and a 50/50 raffle will be held. Admission costs $25 at the door or $20 in advance. For advance tickets, call Carrie Rosati at 434-6095.

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Wine tasting event.

• WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

• WHERE: Spring Lake Winery, 7373 Rochester Road.

• ADMISSION: $20 in advance; $25 at the door.

• WHY: It’s a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training program.