Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
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
In Honor of my Sister Wanda
Back in April of this year while sitting relaxing on the Deck of a Cruise Ship to the Bahamas, I was reading one of Jeff Galloway’s Book. In the back, it talked about Donna and how she started the World’s only Breast Cancer Marathon that donates 100% of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research and to those who need assistance. I told my sister who was cruising with me, THAT’S IT! I will COMPLETE my FIRST marathon in Honor of you! My sister Wanda, who lives in Tampa, FL is a 15 year Breast Cancer Survivor as of 6 July 2011! We had a great event in Columbus GA in her Honor, called The Pink Party!! Other Survivors who attended were Spotlighted and received Speical Gift Bags! So, when Big Dawg Running Company decided to bring Jeff Galloways Half/Full Marathon training program to Columbus, GA, geared toward the Soldier Marathon scheduled for 12 Nov, I immediately signed Up! My thing was WOW! I can get the training, and I will have a Marathon under my belt before Feb !
12 2012! We’ve been training since 7 May, and it’s been AWESOME! I feel great as we add on the MILES! I also will be running in Honor of all the survivors who attended my sisters Pink Party! I also will be running in Memory of my friends I’ve lost to Breast Cancer.I’m Looking forward to the day WE FINISH BREAST CANCER!!!!!
Cynthia Hightower
Columbus, GA
Jan's Journey
Wow, It’s really hard to believe this is 26.2 with donna #5! How time flys...and oh how precious is that time. Sometimes we happily leave a place we will never see again , and sometimes we return though we hoped we never would. I started training for the first donna run for my sister Jan( a 3 time BC survivor) by start day I too was a survivor. I’ve learned to hold some things closer and to let others go and God has been really good! Today I found out that Jan has a tumor in her brain and next week we step up the treatment again. So year 5 I’ll again be running for my sister. And though we face another giant- we’re no longer scared. We’re focused, not afraid. We know a truth so much bigger and stronger than any cancer. We know in the end the good guy wins. And we can do all things through God who strengthens us. February 12, 2012 will be another good day and again I’ll run cause I can!
Kristi Pritchett
Neptune Beach, FL
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