Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
And So Now I Will Run...
Last year my entry was entitled “Why I’m NOT Running.” I did not run last year because 9 months to the day of registering for the race I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a journey this has been. I would have never of believed that I was strong enough or capable enough to fight breast cancer, and yet I did. Lucky for me, the blessings outweighed the heartaches. My blessings have names...Jodi, Wendy, Darla, Marti, and of course Donna. Sisters if you will. Women who have fought this hideous disease before me and therefore made it easier for me to go down the path. By the time the race gets here, (I will be doing the half), I will be nearly 9 months post chemo and nearly 7 months post radiation. God willing I’ll have my endurance back. But if not, that’s ok, I will be alive. So, on February 15, 2009 I will grab Jodi’s hand and together we will walk to the start line. And together we will put one foot in front of the other and run...we’ll run for each other, we’ll run for our sisters, and we’ll run to put an end to this cancer that has claimed too many of us. I will be well, never the same as I was, but maybe better? And so, now I will run… Donna Nelson
Donna Nelson
For My Mom
I run in honor of my mom. Though my mother had lymph node cancer, I know that by finding a cure for breast cancer we are one step closer to finding a cure for ALL types of cancer.
Donica Hayes
I'm Running for Patty and Elisabeth
I’m running for Patty and Elisabeth. Patty and I worked together at my college newspaper, the Kansan. She was our accountant and my mom away from home. She is a survivor, but during radiation also found out she had heart disease. Patty’s a fighter and beat them both. Elisabeth is the name of my very good friend, Ingrid’s mom. We’ve been missing her for 5 years now. I run for these two extraordinary women.
Lindsay Gurbacki
Why I'm Running
I Run for my grandmother. She lost her battle with breast cancer many years ago. My aunts and uncles that live there in Jacksonville, along with my mother, sister and aunt that are coming with me, will all be there together with me at the start and finish. What better way to honor my grandmothers memory than to have all her family right there together.... for her. I Run for my oldest and dearest friend Amy Kaye. For all the saddness that has entered her life since she lost her Momma Judy to breast cancer only a few months ago. I love you Amu Kaye ! I Run for my daughter Madison. May she never have to deal with this terrible disease!!
Rachel Cartwright
Hi There!
I am breast cancer survivor and I am a runner. I have been cancer free for five years, and to celebrate this milestone, I started a group of walkers at my school, who have turned into runners- The Priddy Penguins. What a great group of fellow teachers from my high school, Lawton Chiles, in Tallahassee, Fl. We started walking in late November, 2006, and we are finishing the year with 4 mile walks. Four of my buddies decided that they wanted to do your half marathon, in 2008,and another friend Lynn, pictured with me here, decided that her first marathon would be yours, so I am running the marathon with her! She is amazing- so positive in all our training. We are all making plans to come to Jacksonville in February of 2008, to run the "good race". There are two breast cancer survivors among us, and another is the son of a survivor, who plan to run in February. You have presented a positive challenge for all of us, and we are so grateful. Everyone of us is at a different ability level, but we are all working to meet the common goal of finishing.
Facing breast cancer is like running a marathon- it takes a lot of hard work, and mental toughness; it takes determination; and it takes a POSITIVE plan of action to deal with all the reality. We all have hope that one day we all be free of this disease, and we are running to make our statement of hope.
Look for a bunch of happy Penguins in February. We will be waddling with the best of everyone else!
Why I'm running?
I’m running for all the women who don’t have a support system like most do! I am very fortunate not to have cancer in my family. I would like to offer my support to all those very brave women who my feel alone. I think your all strong,brave and beautiful!!!!! Keep up the fight.
Michelle Kilpatrick
Why I Am Running
I am running because my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and I want to support her and all other survivors. I am also running because as a women I want to push past my comfort zone and accomplish something that at one time seemed unattainable for me.
Nakita Watley-Perinet
Why am I running?
Those who know me heard this comment several times before… "I can’t imagine running this much! It’s insane!" Then I faced a big challenge…knowing that a good friend of many years was facing the biggest challenge of her life…her battle with Breast Cancer.
My beautiful friend SIMONE and her battle started when she was pregnant with her son and was misdiagnosed. She is now fighting her third and hopefully last battle with chemotherapy and this sad disease.
When I found out, it was very hard to understand how someone so sweet, so HAPPY and so young could go through this. After talking to my husband Flavio and my friend Maryanne, we had this wonderful idea of myself racing for a cure! It was just a way of promoting positive thoughts and having the feeling of helping my dear friend, even if it was only with encouragement.
It has been a long road training, working, being a Mom and most of all, supporting and encouraging my friend Simone while she fought her disease. Just knowing that I could make a little difference in her life helped me cope with the pain of seeing a friend going through that problem. It kept me connected with my Simone in Brazil, encouraging her and giving her hope that her cure is on the way!!
I believe in miracles and I know that SIMONE will be cured! SIMONE this race is for you. Be strong! You can do it! We can do it!
Renata Herrera
I am running for Gay
My coworker Gay was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. I have felt lost since she told me the news, I dont know what to say or what to do and know there is nothing I can do to make it go away. I am running a half a marathon to support her and show my dedication to fighting cancer.
Danielle Nihls
I run because I can
I run because my grandfathers fought for freedom.
I run because my grandmothers fought for love and family.
I run because my mother can’t.
I run because my father cheers me on.
I run because cancer has reduced my family in numbers.
I run because I am blessed to be healthy.
I run for the strength of women, everywhere.
I run to be fit.
I run to be free.
I run to be me.
I run… because I CAN.
Diane Barnes
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