Hometown Hero: Megan Rouse

Megan Rouse is on the run. Marathons, triathlons, cycling events –- she’s participated in 20 of them this year and she has four events to go.

Megan set a goal of raising $100,000 to fund a research grant for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of her father, who died 20 years ago.

Ret. Lt. Col. Ronald Rouse, was an F-16 fighter pilot. The graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy was married and the father of Megan and a son Adam. They lived all over the world.

In 1992, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery and treatment, which included chemotherapy.

Research from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society created chemotherapy, and chemo gave Megan four years with her dad she otherwise would not have had.

In 1995, Ret. Lt. Col. Ronald Rouse died at the age of 48. Megan was 8 years old.

Each time Megan crosses the finish line, her favorite photo of her dad is pinned to the back of her purple jersey. 

Her dad's nickname was “Rooster.”

If you'd like to make a donation to fund blood cancer research or join Team Rooster, log on to http://www.teamintraining.org/ctwhv/donate/ and search for “Megan Rouse.”