Three St. James Parish residents have joined together to train and compete in a marathon, while raising money in honor of loved ones, as members of the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation program.

Forming the team “Le Krewe D’Trois,” Mandy Boudwin, Rickie Boudwin and Trista Brazan are currently training for the Rock ‘N Roll New Orleans Marathon being held on March 4.

Team members, and those who stand with them, raise money to help enable ACS to save lives everyday by helping people stay well, helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back against the disease.

“I got involved with DertimiNation last year when I ran the Rock ‘N Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon in honor of my nephew, Blake Brazan, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was just 16 months old,” said Trista Brazan, Le Krewe D’Trois Team Captain. “This year my team and I are running in honor of all cancer survivors.”

Brazan and Rickie Boudwin participated in DetermiNation last year. They each raised $1,300 to benefit ACS. Mandy Boudwin, who participated in the half marathon last year as a competitor, joined DetermiNation this year to help the cause. They decided to form a team and have set a goal to raise $3,750 and finish the 26.2 mile race.

“I volunteer in many ways for the American Cancer Society, but I thought this was a way I can be more involved and raise money for a cure,” stated Brazan. “Having never ran more than a mile before DetermiNation, I knew this would be a challenge. However, I believe that if my nephew, and other cancer survivors, have the strength to beat this disease, I can certain tackle a marathon — that’s DetermiNation.”

Mandy Boudwin commented, “I’m excited to be running my first marathon with Le Krewe D’Trois for DetermiNation. While completing the marathon would be a huge accomplishment in itself, completing it while also raising money for the American Cancer Society makes it even more meaningful to me.”

Team Le Krewe D’Trois is hosting a variety of fundraisers throughout the year, and accepting individual donations, to reach their goal. They have already completed a Saints football pool and are now planning a jambalaya dinner for Sunday, Nov. 13.

The jambalaya dinners are being sold for $7 per plate and include jambalaya, white beans and coleslaw. Dinners are being pre-sold through any of the team members or can be purchased at the St. James Parish Canning Center, behind the school board building, on Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-noon.

For more information or to donate directly to team Le Krewe D’Trois, visit www.determinationneworleans.org or call Trista Brazan at 225-206-0781.