| Champions |
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Browse through to see the extraordinary stories of our champions! |
- Mikey Dianetti
- Gracie Trummer
- Beth Kuckuck
- Meredith Cowden
- Travis Sittig
- Brian Hevesy
- Danielle Deryck
- Amy Ehret
- Benjamin Wasson
Mikey Dianetti | |
 | Age: 6 Hometown: Stow Favorite Pastime: Playing with friends Sport: Baseball Food: Chicken Nuggets Movie: “Pokemon” Book: “Harry Potter” series TV show: “Pokemon” Mikey Dianetti, a Champion of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, attends Holy Family School in Stow, and enjoys listening to his favorite musician... his brother James. Mikey has helped to raise over $25,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from the “Team in Training” and "Light the Night” events. He was the May, 2007 1/2 Marathon Honored Hero. Way to go, Mikey! |
Gracie Trummer | |
 | Age: 5 Hometown: Alliance Favorite Pastimes: Playing, eating, spending time outdoors, cooking Sports: Soccer, tag, scooters Foods: Pizza, root beer floats, ice cream, clam chowder, PB&J Movie: “Tarzan” Book: Disney’s “Princesses” TV show: “SpongeBob SquarePants” Gracie Trummer, a Champion of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, faced hospital stays, spinal taps and chemotherapy treatments – and didn’t cry once. This brave 5-year-old just returned from a trip to Disney World, which was made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and she will start kindergarten in the fall. |
Beth Kuckuck | |
 | Age: 42 Hometown: Akron Favorite Pastimes: Spending time with family and friends Love of Her Life: Husband Ken Beth Kuckuck, a Champion of Hairy Cell Leukemia, was diagnosed in January, 2004 and is currently in remission. She is very appreciative of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because she has benefited from all of its services. “But also because I know the Society puts so much money into research,” adds Beth. “That research has not only made it possible for me to get through chemo without losing my hair, but it has enabled me to get to remission in three months of diagnosis. That, in itself, is amazing to me. The research from The Society gives me hope.” |
Meredith Cowden | |
 | Age: 28 Hometown: Akron/Cleveland Favorite Pastimes: Knitting, reading, cooking, hiking, fishing and spending time with people she cares about Sports: Watching soccer, going hiking and fishing Food: Peanut butter Movie: “What About Bob?” Book: “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides TV show: “Lost” It’s been six years since Meredith Cowden, a Champion of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, learned she was finally cancer-free, after undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Since then, she’s successfully marketed and sold her handmade purses, graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art and received funding to launch a small, natural-dye house. |
Travis Sittig | |
 | Age: 11 Hometown: Hubbard Favorite Pastimes: Dirt biking, arts and crafts Sport: Golf Foods: Honey mustard chicken wings Movie: “Transformers” Book: “Ron Roy Mysteries A-Z” TV Show: “Sweet Life of Zach and Cody” Travis Sittig, a Champion of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, when asked “What person you know during your journey would you like others to meet?” Travis answered, “My Mom, Anna. She’s been there for me, and is fun, strong, nice, and energetic.” Travis is caring and compassionate, and wants others to know that he never feels like he wants to give up because he “walks the path of the Lord.” |
Brian Hevesy | |
 | Age: 56 Favorite Activities: Golf, working outdoors, traveling Favorite Sports: Football and hockey Family: Debbie (wife), and sons Nathan (27), Eric (26), and Matt (20) Brian Hevesy, a Champion of Mantle Cell Leukemia, was diagnosed in April, 2005. he completed the Lake Tahoe Century ride in June 2006 wearing the number 3, as the 3rd best fundraiser in the ride (he raised $46,000). He continues to be in remission. |
Danielle Deryck | |
 | Age: 5 Hometown: Canal Fulton Favorite Pastimes: Playing with friends, coloring, painting Sport: Biking Food: Noodles Movies: “Barbie,” “Strawberry Shortcake” Book: Dr. Seuss’ “Wings On Things” TV show: “Krypto the Superdog” Danielle Deryck, a Champion of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, loves art and helping people. And her smile, according to her parents, lights up any room. After finishing cancer treatment in December 2006, Danielle re-joined her friends at Small Miracles Christian Preschool. |
Amy Ehret | |
 | Age: 25 Hometown: New Philadelphia Favorite Pastime: Running Favorite Sports Team: Cleveland Indians Food: Chocolate Movie: “Wizard of Oz” Personal Heroes: My parents Amy Ehret, a Champion of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, was diagnosed in March, 1997 and is currently in remission. She is a kindergarten teacher who … loves to run in marathons and 1/2 marathons. She has recently run in the Columbus Marathon. |
Benjamin Wasson | |
 | Age: 9 Hometown: West Salem Favorite Pastimes: Swimming, riding his four-wheeler, hanging out with his older brother, being with his friends Sport: Football Foods: Garlic butter noodles, pizza, chicken nuggets Movie: "Dinosaurs" Books: "Dr. Seuss" and "Cat in the Hat" TV shows: "Hannah Montana" and "Myth Busters" Fourth-grader Benjamin Wasson, a Champion of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, starts his first full year of school this fall, and his family says he's finally learning what it's like to be a normal kid. This caring, comedic 9-year-old began cancer treatment nearly six years ago and after a relapse, underwent a bone marrow transplant. Now, three years later, he's doing well and having fun! |
