Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
26.2 or Bust!
My mom found out she had breast cancer about 11 years ago and after a 3 year fierce battle with the disease she finally beat it and has been cancer free ever since. I saw first hand how painful and emotional treatment for this disease is. It’s something I’m seeing again right now in my friend Claudia Stoltz, who just this week had surgery to remove the tumor after many months of chemo. Seeing how strong these women are and how they preserved was inspirational to me. A couple of years ago I would have NEVER thought I could run a marathon, nor would I want to frankly, however if my mom and Claudia can suffer for months and years to get better, well then I can do the same for them and for all the other people have have fought breast cancer. Last year at the National Breast Cancer Marathon I volunteered at the finish line. This SUNDAY I hope to cross it myself as a runner with my partner Stevie running beside me. We have run as far as 20 miles in training. The race is 26.2 miles (42 kilometers) but I’m sure we can make it with all the adrenalin of the day...especially knowing my mom will be waiting at the finish line for us. If you can spare $5 or $10 to donate for breast cancer research please click on our link below. We are hoping to raise $1,000 and 100% of this will go to breast cancer research and care. Wish us luck (we need it 
) and here is the link to donate. The race is this Sunday morning at Mayo Clinic and the beaches if you want come cheer us on! Stevie and I are sharing a donation page. Thanks for your time, Wade Wade Griffin- Realtor® Coldwell Banker Devonshire 3614 Saint Johns Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32205 Mobile - 904-534-0969 (preferred) -Fax - 904-384-9567-Office - 904-777-8888 http://www.rewade.com
Wade Griffin
I Run for Her
I run for selfish reasons. I run because I want to believe I can run away from a disease that only others get. I run for my two aunts who succumbed to breast cancer decades ago when the word cancer was as sure a death sentence as any. I run for a dear friend now in remission, but in constant fear of news that will break all our hearts again. I run for her husband…my best friend. Who in the face of the most devastating news he ever had to hear was a tower of strength for those of us who were weak. And most of all I run for a cure. That in this world I may never hear that same news from the lips of the one I love most…where there isn’t one. I run for her.
T.J. Cobey
4 U MOM
I’m running for my Mother, (MARY MCCOY)who lost her Earthly battled with cancer on 11-13-09 after fighting for 6mo. I spent 96 of those nights in the hospital sleeping next to her in a reclining chair, then going to work then next morning. I love her with every fiber of my being. Watching my mother lie in a hospital bed in her final days/hours, gasping for air, and unable to communicate, was the worst thing I have ever witnessed. I recall feeling so helpless and angry knowing there was nothing I could do for her. She gave me unconditional love, guidance and support for so many years, and never asked for anything in return. I would have given up my life to make her well. That final day, I could only stand there, unable to help while she struggled with every breath. She died a few hours later. Mom, I hope you’re watching, because this runs for you! Mom inspired me to live every moment to the fullest. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about her and shed it least one tear. I love you and thank you for being the amazing woman you were. I only hope that one day my children feel as lucky to have a mom like me as I do to have had you as my hero and role model. Why am I running? My hero is now an angel and I want to honor her in every way I can. Cancer didn’t take her smile or her spirit or her faith! She went home to be with the Lord. My life changed on this walk with her. She was so brave. She was so kind and so generous. She was a very strong and courageous woman who never gave up on her Miracle of Healing (her healing was when she entered into heaven, it was not here on Earth). I love you and miss you so much Mom, This is for you!! I run because Mom inspired me to live every moment to the fullest. 2 years ago I couldn’t run I could barely walk (I had arm crutches-screws in my ankle). I was so overweight I couldn’t walk very far without pain. I lost 225 pounds. I never thought I would be a runner! It doesn’t come easy to me screws in my ankle makes it difficult. My ½ marathon is in memory of my Mom that Lost the Earthly battle of cancer and has gone on to Heaven to cheer me across the finish line. Next year full 26.2 here I come!!!! Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson
Why I Run
I run because over 10,000 women UNDER the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. On January 14th, 2009, I became one of them. I was diagnosed with 4.5 cm of high-grade, multi-focal DCIS at the age of 26. Having grown up as a competitive figure skater and having completed the Marine Corps Marathon only 3 months before, I was a picture of health. After all my surgeries, I decided that I would run 26.2 with Donna as my first post-cancer marathon. One year out from diagnosis and only 5 months after my final surgery, I am in close to the best shape of my life. On race day, I will be wearing the names of all the other women I personally know that have been diagnosed with breast cancer under 40… There are so many more women out there than what will be on my shirt, but I will run every step with and for them. Breast cancer does not discriminate at all… You can be any age, fitness level, gender, etc… We need to find a way to PREVENT it…
Kristin Bagby
Why I Am Walking
In May my best friend asked me to go to the Galloway Training kick off. I signed up thinking in the back of my mind, “We will get bored and never make it to February.” Little did I know that I would begin to enjoy meeting each Saturday in the blistering Florida summer heat. Even though my friend joined a faster running group I stayed with the girls in my walking group. Kelley and Leah have been an inspiration to me and I cannot wait to go though the finish line with them. Along the way my husband and my friend’s husband have joined the half marathon. Our Saturdays are now a family affair. During the week I take my children to work outs and the two of them cheer Mommy on! I now have wonderful plans of running the full marathon, lose more weight and continue to improve my life. I started barely walking 20 minutes and two weekends ago I walked 13.5 miles and felt great! I am so excited about what the future holds!
Elda
My Lovely Wife
This is my 3rd time running the half marathon with Donna. My lovely wife of 23 years died from triple negative breast cancer in November of 2007. My twin boys and I are running so that we end breast cancer forever! We will never stop running and working to beat this disease. We will run like the wind for the kind loving woman who was my best friend and the best mother children could ever have. Cancer may be able to define our mortaility but it can never ever break out spirit and our love. Breast cancer has no chance. We will persist, we will win.
Roger Luca
Myself and My Mom
Before I began running I taught aerobics for 10 yrs. even during my first preganacy with my first daughter Jessica. I have been a runner for many years since. Starting right after I gave birth to my second daughter Jordyn. Gaining 80 lbs. with that pregnancy I knew something had to happen so, I bought a baby jogger and at 6weeks, off we went. I’ve had a son since then Jakob, and did the eact same thing with him!! It’s good for the baby and I got rid of the weight, and discovered that this was my way to manage my strees, and it gave me “my time”. I have done alot of races in Jax. I love the 5Ks, 10Ks, and especially the River Run. I’ve done a few half- marathons, but never a full. So at 43 years of age I decided I needed one marathon under my belt and signed up. You see this has been a personal goal of mine until Feb. 5th when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. We are still sorting out the details, we go this week for tests, MRI’s and consult with the surgeon at Mayo, no less! By Sunday we should know what will happen, and of coarse I will have that on my mind during the race, along with everyone else running for that special someone battling the disease or those souls RIP from the disease. I know now it is not about me, but it’s for my mom going into battle.
Lisa Snyder
For Trini
I’m running in memory of my sister Trini Hartley. Diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, she fought with courage and grace for 5 years. We lost her battle nearly a year ago - so I’m running 26.2 with Donna to help win the war and end breast cancer forever. Miss you Trin ! I know you’ll be cheering me on wherever you are!
Terri
Hope For Tomorrow
I have never ran. In March 2009 I was sitting in the airport in Oklahoma with my husband and two children, bored I went and bought a magazine. I had never looked at a running magazine, but I was intrigued. I read an article that inspired me to start running. I flipped through the magazine and saw the full page ad for the National Breast Cancer Marathon, that sealed it for me. My mother has been breast cancer free for 10 years. She went through so much when she was diagnosed, she fought hard. I have been training for this marathon since May 2009 to do my little part in helping to FIGHT and FINISH Breast Cancer. I am running for hope that there will be a cure! I love my mother and this run is dedicated to her and her courage and strength. I know my story is one of thousands, it is so amazing to me how difficult things in life can bind people together from all around. Rock on runners.
Kristina Mummau
I run for my Mom, Susan Hagerty
I’m running for my mom, Susan Hagerty..again ;o) My mom is a two time breast cancer survivor. Her first battle was in 1996 and it was a terrifying ordeal for all of us. But mom, being the striong woman she is, kicked her cancer to the curb with radiation and chemotherapy. Well, we though she kicked it to the curb, but 5 years later, it came back. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I got that gut wrenching phone call to let me know about her being sick once more. But, strong willed and with incredible faith, mom beat her cancer (which had spread to her lymphnodes) yet again! Well, about three weeks ago, mom was admitted into the hospital for a horrible cough that was causing her a ton of pain. She was there for a week and I was there once a day to visit. The enitre week , the doctors ran test after test to try to find out what in the heck was going on inside my mom. On Thursday of that particular week, I went to the hospital to bring my mom and bonus dad, Quin, some food (the hospital food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either). I walked in the room and the door was shut behind me and that’s when mom told me she had cancer. AGAIN! This time it is in her lungs. We cried and hugged and cried and talked and cried a little more. The doctors, however, did come back with good news (if there is such a thing that involves the ‘C’ word) that it is metistatic breast cancer (yup, her breast cancer cancer back, but had move to her lungs). So, here we go again! Third time’s a charm. We’re going to overcome this stupid disease for a third time. Mom starts chemo next week, three weeks on, one week off. My mom is one of, if not the, strongest person I know. Her faith in God is unmatched. She never has a negative attitude, she always is a “glass half full” lady, she makes the room shine when she walks in, everyone loves her...I love her. She’s my angel. I’m running this race for her. I’m running this race for me. I’m running this race for you. Tiffany
Tiffany Gardner
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