"OH, M’GOSH, Lesley!!   Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!!!!   Roger and I were blown

away by all of it - incredible production values, your music - amazing & powerful -

great photography and editing - and Oh, MY GOD, precious Keegan’s story.  Love to

all of you and a huge WAY-TO-GO!!"

-Kathy & Roger Cawthon (Cancer Survivors)


"You hit a grand slam!!…Just wanted to tell you again what a fabulous documentary.

We couldn’t stop talking about the film, the generosity of spirit of all those individuals

to share their stories.   Their tenacious spirit was awe inspiring to say the least…You

were complimented when my dad said they should show that movie to every newly

diagnosed when you’re not sure how you’re going to put one foot in front of the

other.  He couldn’t get over how you captured the essence of it all thru a marathon."

-Sheila Shaughnessy (Her father has Lymphoma)


"I hope that your film can be shared with many many people around the world…The

film is inspiring.  It makes me want to do a lot more to help others and myself…exactly

what you want it to do."

-Beth Vorwaller, Real Estate Developer


"Your film was amazing.  So inspiring!  I could not stop thinking about it.  I went home

that afternoon and was supposed to work on a project but I couldn’t concentrate

because I could’t stop thinking about the film.   When I woke up this morning I was

still thinking about it.  I’ll never look at runners in the same way ever again!"

-Marilyn Miglin, Cosmetics Doyenne& Motivational Speaker


"What a great movie!  You should be very proud of your efforts.   It covered the

essence of Why They Run."

-Brendan Cournane,  Head Running Coach - Chicago Endurance Sports

(Former Team In Training Head Coach)


"All I have to say is BRAVO!  You. Got it. You captured it!  It really made me want

to get back out there and go!"

-Giffen Trotter, Team In Training Alumni


"What a wonderful, inspiring film - congratulations!  While it brought tears to my eyes, it wasn’t at all cloying, and I loved the way the runners were directly connected to the cancer sufferers.  Thank you for making it, and then sharing it with us."

Helen Vander Voort, Philanthropist


"Congratulations on “Why They Run!”  It is truly a great achievement that will stand the test of time…The film is truly a tribute to the runners, the honorees, and the cause…and not to be too “sappy,” a tribute to the human spirit!  You, and your team, really caught some special moments in time.  I hope this project finds audiences everywhere and that you will find inspiration over and over again!"

Sarah Crane, Philanthropist



"I am friends with Mimi, Marty and Bosco (I am his vet). Marty gave me "Why they Run" and I

am absolutley speechless. I want to watch it again, I want to know the people in it, hug them,

pray for them, run with them. I cannot begin to explain to you how profoundly your documentary

touched a chord within me. It was life-changing, it makes me want to be a better person.

Your music brought me to tears, and you have a real gift of telling peoples' stories through film.

Your mother must be so proud of you, you gave her an extraordinary tribute. I hope this

beautiful film travels around the globe so it could continue to inspire people. It will make the

world a better place. Thank-you so much!"

-Kristin Wójcik, Veterinarian


"Excellent Film! I really appreciate what you guys do for this cause. I have supported Marty

Yundt in the past, and will continue to do so."

-Bill West


"What a wonderful, inspiring, and memorable documentary! It reminded me of how much I miss

participating in TNT, and that even if I couldn't run with TNT this year, I'll be running with them

in my heart. Great job Leslie on spreading the TNT message!"

-Melissa Goldman Shaffer, TNT Runner (Harford, Nashville) and Mentor


"What an inspirational piece. It was so well done and meaningful.".

-Pamela Worth


"Thank you so much for making this film. I will be sure to pass the site on to my friends. I ran

with TNT in 2007 and I want to get involved again!"

-Camille Lina


"What a beautiful movie that captures the very essence of why we run! I ran with you in 2003 as

part of TNT, I actually was the Cycle Coordinator at the time. I ran in honor of my Uncle John,

who had been cancer-free from Lymphoma for 10 years at the time. Last summer, as I laid my

2003 medal next to him at his funeral after a relapse, I realized just how powerful all of our

miles had become. Although he lost his courageous battle, we were able to share 15 years of

happy and beautiful memories that were made possible through the efforts of everyday people

like us dedicated to finding cures. When I started a new job with Ronald McDonald House near

Children’s Memorial Hospital, I was able to reconnect with the Witek’s, who often stayed here

to be close to Russell during his bouts at the Hospital, and who were staying at the House in

the very end of his own courageous battle. I’m sickened every time I am reunited with families

from TNT, because that means it’s back. I’m sickened every time we lose another brother,

sister, mother, father to this dreadful disease! THANK-YOU for making this movie and for

continuing to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, you are my true HERO,

and a HERO to all those effected by cancer. WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT! Thank you!"

-Anne Czarnecki


"After finally sitting down to watch this, I was amazed at what a meaningful film this was!

It was fun looking for people I knew in the film. So well done, Lesley! I am proud to be your

TEAMmate! Go TEAM!!"

-Sue Ekkebus


"Truly a beautiful job Lesley! I began to cry a few minutes into the movie and had goose bumps

through most of the film. Your music and story are extremely touching. I wish I could have

know Keegan. He sounds like an amazing young boy. I ran with TEAM last June in Alaska and

raised $8,000.00. I will probably sign up for the Marathon this fall. You have just inspired me!

My niece was diagnosed at the age of 9 in 2007. She is responding very well to treatment.

Relapsing is very scary to me. For Olivia and all the others this is why we need to run and raise

the money. We need a cure! Congratulations to you on the making of this film and on

completing all the marathons! I know I'll watch this several more times and I will certainly pass

it on! Thank you for sharing."

-Cathy Konow


"Amazing...very impressive. Brought tears to my eyes. Congratualtions!"

-Emily Condo


"Wonderful film telling a very real story of true life battles. As a fellow Mentor from the Central

Florida Chapter of TnT I thank you for providing us with renewed inspiration as we prepare for

the San Diego RnR Marathon. GO TEAM!"

-Lisa Blaser


"Awesome!! My 1st year was the year Keegan passed away. That 1st marathon ended up being

quite a challenge for me as I got quite sick after mile 13 & barely made it to mile 20 for meds to

help the pain. I remember walking for about 3 blocks with you & your friends & between your

words of encouragement, a great walking partner, my friend who walked me in the last 6 miles

& the thought of Keegan & my mom, I made it to the finish & today continue to power walk for

LLS/TNT. Thank you for this most inspirational film which reminds me why I joined & why I

continue!!"

-Lorrie Six


"Thank you for the inspiration."

-Casey McNeillI


"I just finished watching your movie, "Why They Run", and have to tell you I thought it was

great. I am currently on my second Team In Training team with the Central New York chapter.

In December of 2007, my friend asked me if I wanted to train for a half-marathon with her.

Now, you have to understand, I'm not a small guy. I just kinda laughed, and then she said it

was going to be through TNT. Since we both lost our fathers to Leukemia and Lymphoma, I

decided to go to a meeting to see what it's all about. So, in January of 2008, I went to my first

meeting and signed up. Got some new sneakers and started running. I faced many hard times

with my training, but like many people in TNT, I always kept my father's memory, and all the

other people I know affected by blood cancers, in mind.

So here I am now, on my second team, getting ready to run the Lake Placid half marathon as

a mentor for TNT. This week in my weekly email to the participant whom I'm a mentor for, I'm

going to pass along your website. I think it's important, and inspiring, to hear other peoples

reasons for taking this journey. I thought the message and the emotion in your film were spot

on and I commend you on such a great piece of work. Also, the music was awesome, and

your mom would love it and be so proud, I'm sure! (I'm also a singer-songwriting guitarist with

a long background in music)

In the fall, I'm planning on joining my 3rd team. As a mentor right now, I'm not fund-raising,

but in the fall I will be fund-raising again and will train for my first full marathon. Being a mentor

has given me so many great ideas about fund-raising, and has got me thinking outside the

box. It's got me thinking about different and creative things I can do. One thing I was thinking

about doing is contacting my local independent movie theater to see if I could do a fund-raiser

there. I would very much like to show your film at my fund-raiser. Of course, it's still quite a

ways away, but I wanted to find out the possibilities of obtaining permission to have a public

screening of your film.

Thanks again for such a wonderful and inspiring film. I wish you best with future music, film,

and running endeavors!"

-Matt Raymo


"What an AWESOME documentary....you are truly an amazing person Lesley, as well as the

others featured on here. Keep up the good work!"

-Lindsey Daly


"Thank you for the beautiful film.I'm a TNT alumni (n. texas) who did the Nike Marathon to

celebrate 3 years breast cancer free. You captured the essence of giving back to receive and

the marathon as a metaphor for overcoming grief."

-Terri Swain


"Wow! Thank you so much. As a survivor of B cell lymphoma I am so grateful to team in

trainings dedication to raising money for a cure. During these tough economic times it is

great that you remind everyone that it is not how much you give just that you give."

-Teresa Rutherford


"Thank you for making this film. My heart goes out to Keegan's family. My son was dx w/ A.L.L.

in 10/8/02, relapsed 4/13/04 and had a sibling match BMT 8/17/04. My husband did Team in

Training last year and we look forward to our next event. Keep up the fight and keep running!"

-Darlene Melkonian


"This film is fantastic. I hope many people can see it and be inspired to join Team, or donate.

As a long-time cycle team participant, and patient honoree mother, it captures all of my

experiences. Thank you."

-Paula Stone


"Excellent film. Thanks for sharing your stories."

-Margaret Feller


"This was truly an amazing documentary. Well done. I have the privilege to work with Dr. Mimi

Noonan, and she is even more wonderful in person. Thank you for making this film and sharing

it with the world."

-Alysia Sallee


"I love the movie. Dr. Mimi Noonan is my cat Shaker's vet at AETC. She has literally saved my little

I love the movie. Dr. Noonan is my cat Shaker’s vet at AETC…The movie motivates you from

the trailer through all the additional footage to get up and move. The music is wonderful, the

outdoor footage is wonderful, the entire movie is wonderful. I saw Dr. Noonan today, as a

matter of fact, so she could do a scan of Shaker's belly. Shaker is 19 years old and loves Dr.

Noonan. Who doesn't? Thank you for telling your own story as well as all of the others and for

putting your time into producing this film and most importantly for running!"

-Karen Fato (and Shaker!)


"Your film is amazing. Thanks so much for putting together this message. I will definitely be

sharing it with friends who may become team members!"

-Mindy Heimsoth


"Wow! I have to be honest after viewing your documentary(4 times) I am honestly a bit star

struck!! Thank you for taking Karen up on her suggestion that we be friends...she is one of my

many heroes! Training is going well, the 10 miles on Sat were a little brutal (Waterfall Glen

extremely hilly!) But so thankful I have my team members to lean on (literally I am sure after the

26.2!) I have attached the link to my fundraising page....the reason I run. Thank you for all you

have done for TNT and through your documentary. I have forwarded it on to many because it

really captures the way I feel about this experience. Finally ordered a "hard copy" yesterday

after viewing it w/ my 9 yr old son. I am truly humbled by the amazing people I meet every wk

and know for a fact this is where I am suppose to be!

Thanks Lesley...looking forward to meeting you in the near future! Go Team!"

-Julie Snyder


"Oh My God!!! I am a TEAM in training member, just completed the Chicago Rock and Roll half

marathon.. getting ready for the Chicago Marathon. This was exactly what I needed to

continue. Last week I was doubting my performance and my being able to complete it. I am

done fundraising for it, and I just felt like I could not go on .. this gave me strength and helped

me remember why we run.Thank you for making this available and for your stories...THANK

YOU!"

-Yuri WagnerI


"I did what you recommended with the pause/resume play for viewing the video and

persistence worked. The film was inspiring. It's comforting to know that positive people exist

and make a difference…GODSPEED!"

-Fran Krol


"Wonderful! I couldn't stop crying at the end, and then the running Elvis appeared!

Thank you for doing this. Go Team!"

-Kristyn Koch


"Amazing video! i just finished the chicago marathon with TNT on 10-10-10. it was my first, and

it was incredible. you did a great job of capturing not only the 'spirit of the marathon' but also

just what TNT is all about. we all start for different reasons, and mine were definitely selfish: get

in shape, meet people, accomplish a personal goal. but in the end it's not about that. it's about

the difference that you and all of your supporters are making. it's about changing lives, and

more importantly saving lives. I want to share this movie with everyone! I’m about to write my

'thank you' letter to all of my donors and supporters... do you mind if i provide this link? Thanks

so much for making this moving! Amazing work!"

-Kerri Howard


"I'd love to hear more stories. The film was amazing, I'd like for this to be a series of films."

-Jeanine Adia

Why They Run Reviews

©2026 Lesley Spencer



"Why They Run"

Reviews