Massapequa High School class of '83 alumnus Pete Campbell will participate in the St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida April 28 as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT). The event is of Olympic proportions, involving a 1.5K swim, a 40K-bike ride, topped off by a 10K run.

Campbell's goal is to raise $5,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help find a cure for diseases which include Hodgkin's disease, myeloma and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the disease that claimed the life of Campbell's cousin, Dennis Drohan, four years ago.

"I consider it a Christmas gift for my cousin who never lived to see the holiday," Campbell said. Drohan developed a rare and aggressive form of the disease in June of 1998. Six months later, two days before Christmas and 10 days shy of his 38th birthday, Drohan lost his battle against the disease. He left behind a wife and three young children. Campbell said he hopes that with funds raised by events such as the Triathlon, a time may come when other families won't have to face such devastating loss.

"Training for a triathlon and helping to raise money in the battle against leukemia and lymphoma has helped me to realize what is really important in my life," Campbell said. "When I feel the pain of training, I think of my cousin Dennis and others like him that would have given anything to be in my place. It helps me to realize that my pain, while uncomfortable, is temporary, and how absolutely blessed I am to be able to contribute to this cause."

Funds raised by events for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society go to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, as well as help to fund research. Today, thanks to previous research studies, survival rates for children diagnosed with leukemia are over 80 percent, and adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma have a survival rate of over 40 percent.

Campbell is actively seeking donations and/or pledges for the triathlon. All donations are tax deductible and checks may be sent to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Attn: Pete Campbell, 31 Bernard St., Farmingdale, NY 11735. Corporations and business owners can display their company logo on Campbell's running shirt for a donation of $500 or more.