Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
I run for Jan McAllister for the 5th year!
This year will be my 5th year running!! I have a magnet on my car the reads: “26.2-The Courage to Start, Strength To Endure, Resolve to finish”! It definitely applies to a marathon but really it can be applied to any challenge we face in life! Ten Years ago my husband Sean, my daughter Zenia and I moved to Jacksonville Florida from Philadelphia. I was 8 months pregnant. . Once I had our 2nd daughter Halle we started to settle in to our new lives! For the first time ever we used a babysitter that was not a family member. I really feel things in life happen for a reason. We used a neighbor, Amanda McAllister, who at the time was 16. Amanda would babysit every weekend and eventually summers and her wonderful boyfriend (now husband) Graham would join her! During that time we became friendly with Amanda’s parents, Jan and Dave. I quickly found out Amanda was good at crafts, baking, and cooking because she had a great example in her mom Jan. Jan is the type of person who whips up a meal and makes it look like a feast. She pulls out toys and lets the kids just play and have fun. She makes every person who comes in contact with her feel at ease and loved. In 2006 we found out were having another baby!! The surprise of the pregnancy was totally overtaken by the shock a few months later that we were having twins! By this time, the McAllister family, Jan, Dave, their son Ryan, Amanda and Graham became our family in Jacksonville. Things were going smoothly during the pregnancy until suddenly at 6 months pregnant I had to deliver the babies during an emergency C-section. It was scary. Jan and Amanda were the first people we called while heading to the hospital. We knew they were the only ones who could jump in and help take care of the girls and make their lives feel as normal as possible because we did not know what would happen. It was a challenging and difficult time. We welcomed Emmett and Sean Jr. into the world. They lived in the NICU for 2 months. One thing that was constant was Jan and Amanda. Sean told me he was taking care of many of the household chores (mom things) but I knew he was delegating to Amanda. She had the girls taken care of as well as everything else a Mom would do with the help of Jan. These people are not even our relatives and unconditionally love our family would do anything for us. In 2007 we were moving again, to Charlotte, NC. At the very same time the McAllisters received devastating news. Jan was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I felt helpless. This amazing family who had helped our family during our biggest crisis was in need and we were leaving. I often worried about Amanda. We were leaving and she was in our daily lives so much. At that time she was finishing college and planning a wedding when she had to deal with this news. Jan spent the next few months in surgery and treatment. I really wanted to help in some way. But we did not live close by and there was not much we could do. I had heard about the Inaugural National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer that was happening back in Jacksonville in February of 2008. I had been running for years but I never ran more then 5 miles at a time. I told Sean about it and with total confidence he told me he knew I could do it. He said you have to do it for Jan. I started training that month. I trained for 18 weeks in total. It was physically challenging but I always tried to think about what Jan was going through as she was trying to beat breast cancer. I ran my first race in 2008, 26.2 miles!! It was such a satisfying experience. Not so much for the run, but to run for this cause and honor someone you love. Jan was at the race that day. It was amazing to see her there and how proud she was felt so great! I have run the marathon for the past 4 years. The last two years Jan has been in remission. Each year I run for Jan and try to raise money in her honor! I run it for her! The last four years we have lived apart but our families’ bonds have grown so strong. We spend holidays and birthdays together! It is really special. It is actually hard to put into words the bonds we have created!! This year is different. We have now moved back to Jacksonville!! It is such a wonderful turn of events. We moved back in July and were able to be with so many people that are important to us, especially the McAllister Family! In August Jan was diagnosed with cancer again. My heart ached when we found out. I ask myself how can such a wonderful person, a wonderful family, a person my kids love more then anything be effected by this? The logical answer I have found is Cancer does not discriminate. It does not attack just the poor, just the mean spirited, just women, just adults....it can happen to anyone or anyone we love. If you cannot tell how much I admire Jan and love her already, what I will tell you now will explain how wonderful she is. Early in her recent diagnosis when surely she had not felt her best, she came to our house to celebrate Zenia’s 12th birthday. Zenia requested “Ms. Jan” to be there. Jan was there with her beautiful smile! She sat next to Zenia and made her feel special as she always does. October came around and Sean and I had our annual Aruba vacation scheduled and this year Jan and Dave were taking care of the kids. As you can imagine I was trying to make other plans not to burden Jan as she is going through treatment. She insisted that she still wanted the kids with her for the week. Most of all she wanted Sean and I to go have fun and celebrate our anniversary! I know it was a lot for her but she never let on how tiring it was. Thanksgiving came this year and Jan had the most beautiful dinner for her family and us. .It was true Thanksgiving, a wonderful family day! Jan mad an incredible meal for 18 people! Christmas came and we had a great family celebration at Jan’s house and Jan got the kids all the most wonderful presents! The boys had a Christmas program and she was there! All of this going on and Jan is going through treatment. There are events in each of our every day lives that we are exhausted from. What I can’t imagine is going through my every day life and going through treatment once a week but still managing to go above and beyond for those I love. Jan does that. She lives her life and if you walked past her in Target or the Grocery Store you would see a beautiful women, loving wife, devoted mother and dearest friend to so many!! She has the courage to start, the strength to Endure, the resolve to finish this battle! She is my hero! I will run this race for the 5th year for Jan. I believe that some day there will be a cure.
Jacque Grzebin
Jacksonville, FL
Why Loanna Dempsey Runs
I run because there are women who always thought they would run and no longer can. I run because there are women who want to run but are not able to, I run because I can. I run because I do not want to see another woman go through chemo and lose her beautiful hair, so another person does not lose a mother, an aunt, a wife, a grandmother, a neighbor, a teacher, a coach, a friend. Cancer does not care what race you are, does not care how much money you have or do not have, cancer does not care if you have an excellent support system or not, cancer does not care how old OR young you are. Cancer does not discriminate. I run to finish.
Loanna Dempsey
Jacksonville, FL
Why Kelly Brant Runs
I signed up to do this run in honor of my two aunts, Moni and Beth. They both survived breast cancer. I’ve been saying that I was gonna have a bib made with their names on it, and have been putting it off. Well, I just got a phone call from my brother and my aunt Moni just past away less than an hour ago. She survived breast cancer a couple of years ago and has had some minor health problems sense than buts nothing major. She wasn’t feeling well yesterday and went to the doctor, they couldn’t find anything but kept her over night. Her heart just gave out on her. I am very sad and will miss her dearly, I remember when I was a child she had long brown beautiful hair and I used to love to brush it and play with it. She would always let me too. My favorite thing to do was to put her hair over my shoulders and act like it was mine. I love you Aunt Moni and will miss you! Needless to say I am going to order my bib right now!
Kelly Brant
Newberry, Florida
I Run because I Can...
I am a Cancer Thyroid Survivor, the year I was diagnosed a very close friend of mine lost her battle to Breast Cancer. During my treatment / recovery they (the Drs.) realized I had Lupus which was causing me not to heal or recover as quickly. Three Years ago, due to Lupus I was put in a wheelchair. I was in the chair for about 4 months non-stop, after that I used a cane. I continued to use a cane if going for long walks or Disney, etc, up until August of 2011. In August I talked to my Drs and decided I needed to do something, the meds they had me on made me gain weight, I was not getting any better. I had a close friend who started running and she was able to curb and control her Diabetes. So I started reading, I found the Galloway training program run/walk. This I could do. My original goals were to race in 5K’s. This is major distance for someone who just a few months ago was still using a cane. In Oct 2011, I kicked asphalt and hit a PR of 13:48 s min/mile in a 5K. I then decided that I could run further. I signed up for the WHM in St Pete along with the 1/2 Marathon that is part of 26.2 with Donna and also Disney’s Half Marathon (Jan 7 2012). In 4 months I have lost 47 pounds, have helped to inspire some of my friends to just start walking, and have brought awareness to Lupus and fitness to many people in my community. I started a Blog for people who live with Lupus along with Tweeting about staying fit and feeling good. Running for me is simple, Today I run because I can, I run for those who can’t. Today and each day I put my running shoes on, I feel a sense of new accomplishment and power that I can for once gain control over this disease that has controlled my life for the past 7 years. I run simply because I can!
Wendy Phillips
Miami, FL
I Run for my Sister Mary
I started running marathons in 2009 and to date have completed 23 of them- my sisters, Mary and Sue (from Jacksonville) have been my best supporters for most of the big races, going with me to NYC, Boston and London to name a few. I ran the 26.2 with Donna 2 years ago for other women with breast cancer, but this year I am running for my sister Mary who was diagnosed this past Summer. It was a shock to the entire family, but she is responding to treatment very well. I am running it this year for one of my best Marathon supporters and I am threatening to put “My sister eats Tamoxifen for Breakfast” on a pink shirt! I am proud to run Donna 26.2 again for my sister Mary!
Nicholas Amigoni
Chicago, IL
For Lora! Because we can...
About 14 years ago I became friends with Lora. We met chatting on the internet of all things. I’ve never chatted since. I guess I found the friend I was supposed to meet. Over the years, we have kept in touch and shared many stories with each other as our lives have come along. All those years ago, Lora would talk about her passion to run and she kept encouraging me to just get out and try it. I have always enjoyed sports, but not running. She said, “Start easy, just go three miles.” The first time I headed out I didn’t make it three minutes! I thought she was nuts. Off and on over the years I have continued runnning, done a few 5k’s and kept myself in ok shape. I never had any desire to attempt anything greater than a 10k (which I did for the first time this summer). I just didn’t think I was cut out for it. Lora just retired from a career in the Navy as a nurse. During her years in the service, she’s moved so many times I have lost track. She was deployed in Desert Storm, then again to Iraq, and then last year to Afghanistan. The stories she shared about helping to heal people and the passion she has for helping others has always touched my heart. I was so thankful when she was set to come home safely, ready to retire and be with the love of her life, to live her life on her own terms and ready to start a new chapter. What a relief to not be worried about her every day in Afghanistan! Within a few months of being home Lora learned she had ovarian cancer. After surgeries and months of chemo she just got her 3 month check up and she is on the road to putting this behind her. This past year she has been strong and positive and has proven to me once again why she is such a special person. Shortly after her diagnosis she sent me Donna’s books and key chain and said, “Let’s do the 1/2!” What could I say? “You bet. If you wanna do it, I will be right there with you.” I haven’t seen my dear friend in years and I can’t wait to throw a big hug on her and run this race with her, because we can! We are both 42 with lots of life ahead. As I have been running double digit mileage for the first time, I am starting to love it. My partner and I are the healthiest we have been in a long time. What a gift. It is an honor to run with Lora and all of the remarkable people who have their own stories. I hope this is the first of many runs to come that we will run together.
Marilyn Holt
Adams, Oregon
Why Nicole Runs
I am running because I support the cause. My hope is that one day girls won’t grow up without a mother who’s life was cut short because of breast cancer. I was only 14 when my Mom passed away, and she was only 41. My mom was an amazing and inspirational person. Even though she isn’t here today, her spirit will always live inside me. I am running because I don’t want my kids to grow up without their mother in their life. For quite some time now, I have used running as my get-away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I have found that running is the only way for me to truly clear my head. I ran a half marathon a few years ago, and am excited to be running this one! This is more than a race to me, it’s something that I have been wanting to do for a while now. I am running in memory of Inez Marchand, the bravest women I have ever know. See you out there, Nicole Marchand
Nicole Marchand
Gainesville, FL
Why I'm Running...Again!
I Ran the 26.2 with Donna race in honor of 2 of my coworkers in 2010. Never would I have thought that I would return in 2012 and be running for my youngest sister, Mary! Mary is a 6 month survivor of breast cancer and the ironic thing is that she is an oncology nurse herself. At 47, we never expected this to happen in our family, but so glad that she is doing well and fighting this with great courage and determination, just like her patients do. I actually joked with my sister when she told me her diagnosis and said “ maybe you have a different type of cancer, that way I can run a different marathon!”. Of course, she knows me and how I never meant that at all. I told her that of course I would repeat the Donna Run and do it proudly for her. She and my older sister, Sue from Jacksonville, have been my best supporters in my marathon runs, which are now numbering 23! I started at 50 and now at 54 have done all 5 world major marathons- but my 25th will be my best and that is the one for the continued health of my younger sister Mary! Heres to Donna and all the gang in Jacksonville- can’t wait to do the last run up and back down that bridge!!!
Nicholas Amigoni
Chicago, IL
Why Gloria LaLone Runs
I have decided to do the Half Marathon whether I walk, run, or crawl because I am currently a Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survivor and believe I am still here after being diagnosed 3 years ago, because of the advancements in research and treatment today. Every 21 days I go for a infusion and I feel very blessed that I have that option. I am doing this run to offer encouragement to others out there fighting this horrible disease.
Gloria LaLone
Pensacola, FL
My Daughter Inspired Me
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. It was caught very early and I believed after surgery that was it. And it was--sort of. For 9 years I never gave it another thought. But in 2007 I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, and that hit hard. For a while, I lived each week as if it was my last. A bad period in my life. Two years ago, my daughter, who declared she hates to run, decided to challenge herself and she trained and flew across the country to complete the 1/2 marathon with Donna. She did it for me, and 2 others dear to her who also have had the disease. As I listened to Jeff Galloway at the Expo the night before that race, and then watched my daughter cross the finish line, I made myself a promise that the following year I would run, too. Because the cause is to important not to. I completed the 1/2 marathon last year, inspired by my daughter, for a dear friend lost that year to breast cancer, and to celebrate a future for myself. This year my daughter will again fly in and we will run together. Life can’t get much better!
Jenrette Mardee
St. Augustine, FL
Next
