'Team in Training'

Since receiving a bone marrow transplant, the Rev. Mark Hunnicutt has been in remission from leukemia for 16 years and now wants to help find a cure for this disease.

"On June 15, I will be participating in the Tri Latta Triathlon in Huntersville," Hunnicutt said in a letter to family and friends. "It is a 1/2-mile swim, 17-mile bike ride and a four-mile run. That's over 20 miles for a reason much more important than the personal challenge of completing a triathlon."

His reasons are clearly stated: to honor those who are battling blood cancer and to remember and honor the families who have lost loved ones to this disease. His goal for this event is to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Hunnicutt belongs to the Western North Carolina chapter of Team In Training (TNT), which is a fundraising arm of LLS.

Bruce Cleland is the founder of TNT. In 1988, Cleland and a group of friends were training to run in the New York City Marathon and called themselves "Team in Training." Cleland's daughter, Georgia, had just been diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 2 years, so they were also raising funds for leukemia research. They combined the two activities in honor of his daughter, and the name stuck.

According to an LLS pamphlet, Team In Training is the world's largest endurance sports training program, providing coaching and support for people to cross the finish line at marathons, half marathons, cycling and triathlon events. Over 340,000 participants have raised more than $800 million to help blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

One recent afternoon at Mud Creek Baptist Church, Hunnicutt, the associate pastor of ministries, and his wife, Cheryl, talked about Mark's experience with leukemia and his life today.

"This is the first of many triathlons, because I hope to participate in TNT for at least the next 10 years, raising $100,000 for research. I'd love for others to join the team with me. A donation can be made directly to a safe, secure online account at www.active.com/donate/tntwnc/tntwncMHunnic," Hunnicutt said.

When asked about their life, Cheryl explained, "We were sophomores at East High School when we met and began dating, and we've been together ever since. We were married in 1994. Mark's cancer was diagnosed in May, 1991, when he was 18, two weeks before graduation."

"I had been experiencing flu-like symptoms for several weeks, but I was working, going to school, and playing ball," Hunnicutt said. "Then one day, I felt especially tired and sick and passed out a couple times at school, so I called my mom to tell her I was going home. My parents decided I had to see a doctor.

"I saw Dr. Thomas, and at first he didn't find anything unusual. But as the doctor was leaving the room, I thought to tell him about a bee sting on my calf that had been bothering me. He came back and looked at my leg and noticed little red dots on my ankles," said Mark. "Fortunately, he'd done his internship at St. Jude's (Children's Research Hospital) and recognized the dots as petechiae, which he knew were an indication of leukemia."

Petechiae are tiny red spots under the skin, occurring when the number of platelets in the blood is low. Platelets control bleeding, and low numbers can result in easy bleeding or bruising and the tiny, tell-tale red spots.

Hunnicutt saw a specialist in Asheville the next day, Dr. Paschel, and was admitted to Mission Hospital. The diagnosis was Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

AML, the most common type of leukemia, is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Normally, the bone marrow produces healthy white blood cells which fight infection, red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body, and the platelets.

With AML, abnormal, immature white cells form instead and as they rapidly accumulate in the bone marrow and the bloodstream, they crowd out the normal cells the body needs. Treatment begins immediately.

"I had chemotherapy every day for a week," Hunnicutt said. "I was discharged about a month later, and by early July, I was in remission."

Once remission is achieved, another round of chemotherapy occurs to destroy any remaining leukemia cells. After that, various options are available for the patients. In Hunnicutt's case, he was able to have a total bone marrow transplant because his brother, Chris, who is four years older, was a perfect donor match. Mark's abnormal cells would be replaced with the compatible, healthy blood-forming cells Chris was able to donate.

"There was only a 25 percent chance Chris would work as a donor," Hunnicutt said, "but as it turned out, we have identical makeup in eight out of nine possible areas. We're close to being identical twins!"

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., was chosen for the transplant. Hunnicutt was admitted in mid-November, and the procedure performed on November 26.

In the months leading up to this day, there were many benefits organized in the community including support from General Electric, where his father, Francis, worked. There was continuous prayer and support for the family from the beginning of the diagnosis until Mark finally arrived back home in Hendersonville on March 5, 1992.

"When this first began, I was furious at God. Since I went to church and didn't get into trouble, I couldn't understand why he'd let this happen to me," Hunnicutt said.

"But after several months, I felt called to the ministry and in September I began speaking at many of the churches in the area. Now, you couldn't buy this experience from me! The lessons I've learned and the understanding I have are more precious to me than gold. I put my trust and hope in the Lord, and he has proven himself faithful."

After Hunnicutt arrived home, he began classes that July at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. He now holds a master's degree in theology and has been the associate pastor at Mud Creek for 12 years. He gives the sermon at the Saturday Night Church service held at 5:15 p.m. every Saturday.

"Mark Hunnicutt is an amazing young man full of courage and strength," said the Rev. Greg Mathis, senior pastor at Mud Creek Baptist Church. "His story is a testimony to the miracle working power of God. God has helped him overcome what many would call insurmountable odds. Mark's ministry continues to have a tremendous impact on others. His testimony serves as an encouragement to all who face difficult situations in life."

"This is my first triathlon," Hunnicutt said, "and the Pump House (fitness center) allows me to train there for free. I'm also training at the indoor Olympic pool at Cliff's Valley. My bike is a Specialized which belongs to David Norwood, one of our church youth who went to West Point and is now training to be an Army Ranger. This event is an exciting opportunity to raise funds for LLS, and I thank all who are supporting me."