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Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer.
Why are you running? Submit your story.
My friend Steve lost his wife, I lost my Mother and Sister both died from cancer.. we are running to help the fight on cancer...I will help anyone who needs someone to run with in the atlanta area to get in shape for a marathon...not fast pace but will walk and run based on the Jeff Galloway method we ...run 4 mins and walk 1 min...we will be increasing 1 mile a week...no charge for Training or encouragement ..our pace will average around 10-11-12 min per mile.... Runners for Christ...
- Charles Dorman
- Marietta, Georgia
Why I Run...
I am running the Run with Donna half-marathon because I have never had breast cancer nor have my three sisters or our Mom. No female in our family has had breast cancer. This is such a great blessing for us, yet I want to support in any way possible, those women that have suffered from this disease. I run for them, their courage, strength and beauty. I run for our family's blessing.
- Debra Davey
- Jacksonville, Florida
In honor of a leader...
I run for a very good friend who is a two time survivor of breast cancer. She has literally created new organizations, moved mountains, and helped countless women in this fight against breast cancer. She has served as an inspiration to I'm sure to millions. She has written a book, spent many sleepless nights working, and has accomplished the impossible. This woman has helped me when I was diagnosed four and a 1/2 years ago. She has also listened in times of other personal crises and shared expert advice. She is an angel ~ with a tough, but beautiful, exterior and boundless determination. Many people know her, but they really do not know how hard she works in order to serve others. Donna ~ you have fought the good fight. You will never know how many lives you have changed for
the better!
Fondly,
-Kristie Naines
I run in memory of Karin Harrell...
My friend Karin died in 2007 of inflammatory breast cancer, after fighting it for 5 long years. It's just a crime against nature that her two kids should have to grow up without her loving influence in their lives, and I want to do what I can to prevent other children from going through such a rough time. Karin was one of the most beautiful spirits I have ever known, and my life is much less bright without her in it.
- Amy Hoover
My Reasons...
I have so many personal reasons for doing this event - Too many to even name. I' am a walker- not a runner. When I walk this 13.1 miles in February, it will be my 4th half-marathon. I have walked 2 half-marathons for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's team in training, I am walking a half-marathon in December as a St. Jude's children's hospital hero, and in February this one. My husband, my mother, both of my grandmothers, and my aunt to name a few have all had cancer. My husband and both of my grandmothers have passed on. My mom and my Aunt are survivors. This is my way of giving back. This is my way to help someone whom I have never met. This is my way to show other that I care. 13.1 miles -- 26.2 miles -- as a runner or walker is hard -- but can be done. As our team in training motto goes -- If you think training for a marathon is hard, try CHEMO! I proudly walk and will continue to proudly walk in honor of all of you survivors and in memory of those lost. I have been graced in my life to have many wonderful people in my life. On February 17th this one is for you mom!
- Pamela Matherne
- New Orleans, Louisiana
I run to feel alive
A distance runner before my breast cancer diagnosis at age 41, I kept running throughout treatment, which luckily consisted "only" of radiation and not chemo. Instead, I chose hormonal treatment that threw me into a crisis menopause in my early forties. Running kept me sane through all this time. I asked my surgeon when I could run again and he said "No bouncing for eight days." I put on two sport bras on day nine and headed out the door. Even when radiation rendered me as tired as a slug, I went for my regular runs because maintaining my routine was important to feeling "normal." While straining and feeling the effects of the treatment, I was in touch with my body. I run because I feel the most alive when I test and challenge my body--a body that betrayed me. I want to keep it healthy as best as I can and exercise is key to that goal. I will never break any speed record, but I can run forever! I am looking forward to running with like-minded people, many of them survivors like me. I ran for Susan Love's Breast Cancer Foundation in Dublin in 2002 and will enjoy this new challenge, my 25th or so marathon!
-Dana Loewy
"I started running, really running, in 2002 having just turned 35. I had an 17-month old son and a nearly 7 year-old son , and a husband who had run competitively for 20 years. Not-to-mention, I was a mountain biker - NOT a runner! I didn't even like to run. I started running with and for a life-long friend of mine whose mother is currently battling end-stage metastasized breast cancer.
Cathy and I slowly and methodically trained together for the 2003 Blue Angel (Half) Marathon, and we both finished our first outing in an endurance event. I knew then that I had found my niche! Since then, I have run six other half marathons including the Disney World Half Marathon with Team in Training this past January (2007) along with several 10K and 15K events.
During the last 5 years of running and training, a near and dear friend of mine - almost like a sister - was diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than a year later my mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. And, another fabulous friend of mine is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic (JAX) for breast cancer that has returned in the pleura lining of her lungs. So, I guess for many of the same reasons that I chose to join Team in Training, I now choose you, Donna. Too many people in my life had been touched by Leukemia and Lymphoma, but there are those even closer to me - my family - who have been victimized by breast cancer.
For this event, I am going to ATTEMPT the Full Marathon distance for the first time. It seems fitting: My first marathon at this Inaugural event. I know that your event will be a tremendous success, and I am hopeful that my completion of the 26.2 miles will be successful as well."
- Lori Abbey
- Tallahassee, Florida
I Am Running For
I am running for the women at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church, who are survivors of Breast Cancer. The church is located in Columbus Georgia.
- Jacquelyn Walton
- Athens, Georgia
We run to Celebrate Erica's life...
Erica, my cousin and God Child, found a large lump under her arm while pregnant with her second child. By the time a biopsy was done her cancer was in stage 3. She delayed treatment until the third trimester of her pregnancy, she didn't want to risk harm to her unborn daughter. She began very aggressive treatment after her daughter's birth with high doses of chemo and radiation therapies. Just 10 short months from diagnosis Erica, the lovely wife and mother lost her life, she was just 30 years old. Erica left behind a young son, Justin Shane and baby daughter, Hanna Victoria, her husband, mother, father, two brothers, and many friends and family who loved her very much.
At age 47 my fathers mother-in-law had breast cancer. Jean was the mother of 7 children ages 4 through 19. The recommended treatment at the time was a double mastectomy. Early detection saved her life and she was a 30 year survivor. Her daughter Mollie, my father's wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37. She had a lumpectomy, 6 months of chemo therapy and radiation therapy. Early detection also saved her life, she is a 19 year survivor.
I am a mother of three adult girls. In July of 2006 I started running with my youngest daughter who was then 18 years old and just entering her freshman year in college. We accomplished training separately, running 3 1/2 marathons, and various other races. We run this race to bring attention to the devastation that breast cancer causes to families; It is not just a disease of the elderly and with early detection and through the advancements in modern medicine that are made available by medical research we can do something to help eliminate the suffering caused by this dreaded disease. I run to celebrate Erica's life.
-Laura and Courtney Schneider And the Chicks at Six
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Coral Springs Florida
My mom runs marathons, even after her double mastectomy last year. Just 3 weeks after her surgery, she walked 5 miles in the Susan B Koeman run/walk. She is an incredible strong woman; she and I are running together. She thinks this will be her 48th marathon; it will be my first. I am running for/with my mom. I am running for my boss who survived stage 4 breast cancer; I am running for my friend who didn't. I will run for those who are strong incredible women who have fought and are fighting breast cancer.
-Tommiann Hill
- Greensboro, North Carolina
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I run for Payton, Paige, and Paxton..... |
I Run for Life...
I have three daughters. I do not want them to have to face the fight with breast cancer. I run for a cure. I run for life. I run for the future. I run in remembrance of those who suffered in the past. I run for those facing the fight NOW! Payton, Paige and Paxton (my daughters) I run for you! Love Mommy
-Tyree Crews
-Jacksonville, Florida
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My mom with my oldest daughter the Christmas before she passed. |
My beautiful mother passed away just one year ago from breast cancer. She was only 49. She raised 5 of us virtually by herself. She watched three of her sons who were Marines enter and leave Iraq several times. She lost everything she ever owned in Katrina and then she lost her battle with breast cancer right when she should have been starting her life over again. I will train and I will run in her memory and to try to fight this disease which I have come to hate. I wish I would have known that breast cancer doesn't go away, that once you are diagnosed, the cancer isn't killed, it's just waiting to come back. My mom was first diagnosed in 2003, when I was pregnant with my second child. She was going through chemo at the birth and she was in the delivery room when Amelia was born. She fought the breast cancer and won, but a week before Amelia's third birthday- she was gone. Amelia looks just like my mother. She is gone, and I miss her. I want so much. I want to run this marathon so that maybe one day no one will have to face this kind of sorrow. I will run, and I will fight this disease for those who can't, and in the memory of my mom. A great mom and a wonderful grandmother- if only for a little while.
- Lisa Berger
- South Carolina
I run for you
I run for you. I may not know you, but I run for you. I may not have the same pains as you, but I run for you. We may not share the same faith. We may not come from the same background or have the same beliefs, but I run for you. The only way I can feel you is to feel my own heart beating. My breath is the same as yours. The blood runs through my veins and my muscles ache, and that is how I know you. You are with me, and I run for you.
- Andrea Ayotte
- Fort Meyers, Florida
Why I am Running With Donna!
I met a wonderful woman when I was 14 years old. She held my hand as I recovered from my first Breast Biopsy when I was 15. She saw me grow into a woman and I eventually married her son. A beautiful woman with so much life. She laughed easily and lived humbly. She went to church and sang in choir. This woman, my mother-in-law, Linda Toussaint , was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1992. She became a survivor. In 2003 she was diagnosed a second time with Breast Cancer. Although, knowing the chances for a second time diagnosis, she under went treatment and was present later that year when my son was born. On January 3, 2005, I held my mother-in-law's hand as the doctor explained that the cancer had returned and that this time it was not treatable. She passed away November 2005 at the age of 54. This is why I run. I run in the memory of Linda Toussaint. I run to help support all individuals who, has had or will have this horrible disease. I run to help fight the good fight.
- Penny Punnett
- Jacksonville, Florida
Celebrate Life!
I am a two year breast cancer survivor I began running after I ended all my treatments as a way to begin living a healthier life and fight back against this disease that had entered my life. I am so excited to be coming to this event with my wonderful husband (and greatest caregiver in the world), a dear friend who was with me during treatments, and a sister-in-law who has supported me through these past two years with love and encouragement. I will be running for hope, for life, and to encourage those who may be touched by this disease. I hope to encourage others to fight back against this disease and not let it take away their spirit and hope.
- Belinda Johnson
I run for them
I have three friends at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office who are currently fighting breast cancer. I am running for them. Continue the fight girls! God is faithful!
- JoAnne Seach
- Jacksonville, Florida
I share a common thread that weaves the fabric of your marathon. I too am a breast cancer survivor and a runner. On top of my breast cancer diagnosis, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. On a very physically and emotionally challenging day, I opened my new issue of Runner's World to the page advertising "26.2 with Donna" (great name by the way...). There looking back at me was my newest goal. From that moment I made a commitment to run with you. A perfect opportunity for me to do what I do best ...run. I have been running for nearly 30 years (yikes!). Running has been part of my life, recovery, and renewal for a very long time. So after a lengthy forced hiatus, I am back! I will continue to run, staying a head of breast cancer and MS. Neither will catch me! So, here's to all of us who have survived and live each day and for those who fought the battle and sadly lost the war. Thank you for taking on this worth endeavor! I plan to raise lots of money for the cause. Let's Go!! See you there! Donna Davis- Rankin Manchester, Maine
- Donna Davis-Rankin
- Maine
I Run for them...
I am a member of the AF Reserves. I am a Flight Med Tech, a nursing student and a woman. Many of the flight nurses and tech's that I work with have battled many types of Cancer... I run for them. I have family that have had Cancer scares. I have friends who have Cancer. I have friends who have succumbed to Cancer ...I run for them. I know that cancer doesn't only effect the patient. I know that cancer effects everyone who has been touched by that person and their family... I run for them. I run for those who can't. I run for those who want to run. I run for those who run with me. I run for me. And... I run for them. FM, NDO, TKT, VM, KB, JAJ, GLP, DPP, MAB 459 ARW, AES, ASTS, AMDS, 315 AES I RUN FOR THEM... Because they can't...
- Melissa Barber
- Arlington County, Virginia
I am running for one of the most special women I have ever met - my stepmother Carol Rose. She is a TWO TIME survivor. She is a true example of what a survivor is. She has never let the disease beat her and has the strongest will of anyone I have ever met. She has always been there for me no matter what I needed. I hope that I can turn out to be half the woman to my stepchildren that she did not have to be for me. I love you.
- Lisa McKelvey
- Reading, Pennsylvania
The Donna Hicken Foundation raises money for First Coast women living with breast cancer.
The Mayo Clinic is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The Galloway Training Program is the official training program for 26.2 with Donna. Learn more!