Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
For Janice
Breast cancer hit me hard this year when a very close friend of mine had to fight this year. When I was young I had family a member die form breast cancer, but I was too young to rember. When Janice told me I it flet like i was going to loose my friend even worse a 2nd mom. But she fought and Thursday brfore the race she will have her "NEW" breasts put in. She has fought and won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO Janice I Love You.
Brandi Thomas
I run to be NORMAL!
I was diagnosed 8/15/06 with breast cancer.I was totally in shock. I was a runner and a health nut. How could this happen to ME! But it did. I was triple negative in tumor type which blew me into another orbit of denial. So what did I do? I RAN. With the help of my friends Patti, Beth, Cindi, Nancy, and Willie they all took a turns to run slowly with me through all the chemo days and radiation days. I was slow but they didn’t care. Running made me feel normal during the worst crisis in my life. For that moment I was a runner not a cancer victim. They gave me the most precious gift of all - real friendship. So I run this first post chemo marathon to honor my earthly treasures!
Anna Blestel
Why?
I am running in honor of my grandmother, Jeanette Perrine. My Nana is the strongest, most determined woman I know. I can barely remember all of the obstacles that she had to overcome during her battle with breast cancer, but I do remember her strength. Never, not once, did she ever admit defeat. She is the reason I am the woman I am today: hard headed, stubborn, compassionate and giving. I am running for my Nana’s dash, so that she knows she is my inspiration and she made and still makes a difference in my life. I love you Nana.
Heather Albritton
Why we run
Donna and I are fairly new to running. We run to support all the people and medical staff dealing with breast cancer, diagnosis and treatment. As a radiologist in a fairly small town, I see my fair share of breast cancer and do my best as a physician to diagnose it early. I think it is great that this is occurring both to give hope and faith to patients and to allow us to do our little part. Thank you for this blessing and privilege.
Sincerly,
Donna and George Mead
Cookeville, TN
Why I am running
My initial reason for running was to prove something….not sure if it was to me or to someone else. My selfish reason has changed.
A young wife and mother of two, an infant and a 4 year old, was just diagnosed with breast cancer last week and today found out it is Stage 4…surgery is not an option, She is now the reason I am running.
This will be my first half-marathon and she will be the inspiration for me to finish.
Dana Evans
Running in memory of Barbara Smith
I am running in memory of my mom, Barbara who lost her fight with breast cancer in december of 2001. While I watched her suffer in her last days in hospice, I vowed that as long as I am alive I will do everything I can to help others not become a victim of this disease. This disease not only affects the afflicted but affects their whole families. I am running so that a cure can be found soon. We should not have to lose our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, nieces, daughters, and yes even the men in our lives.
Tina O'Brien
Why I'm Running
I lost my Mom last year to breast cancer. When she was healthy she was a runner and very proud of it. My Aunt and cousins thought it was fitting to do this marathon as a tribute to my Mom who fought a great fight of survival with never a complaint. She lost her fight but we will continue to fight for a cure in her name.
Kathy Berg
Why I'm Running
I am running to help support my sister-in-law Sheila Hickson-Curran..a breast cancer survivor! And I am running to show support for my brother Stephen and nephew Henry to show that breast cancer affects everyone in the family.
Paula Curran-Hayeck
I run for my Sister
I run for so many reasons, but the reason I will be running on Feb. 17, 2008 in the Breast Cancer Marathon, is because my sister is a 3 time breast cancer survivor. When we first heard about this marathon, there was no doubt in our minds that we would be there. I have ran for the Leukemia and lymphoma Society for 5 years and my sister has ran for them for 3 years. In October of 2007 my sister Julia was diagnosed for the 3rd time with Metastatic Breast Cancer. We were all just devastated. But she is the biggest fighter we know. Her first bout with Breast Cancer - she underwent a stem cell transplant and beat all the odds. She was cancer free for 8 years before the horrible disease found her again. Now at the age of 45 - with two boys - I know she will fight even harder to beat it again. She is currently taking a Chemo Pill called Xeloda. It is working really well for her. And being the strong woman that she is, she is determined to walk the half marathon at this wonderful event. She will be walking with my daughter Tiffany! And they are so excited to be a part of this ! I know in her heart she wants to run the 1/2 marathon - but walking it will mean just as much to her. I will be running the Full Marathon in honor of my sister with my brother(well Behind him) ! I am so excited to be running FOR her since she can’t right now. She will be in my heart the entire 26.2 Miles. And I know that will get me through ! Even though this won’t be my first marathon, It will mean more to me than any other marathon I have ever ran. I am so thankful that Donna has worked so hard to put together a marathon to fight breast cancer. Thank you Donna for all of your hard work. I know it is going to be a great event for everyone! Mostly for the Breast Cancer survivors ! You truly don’t know what this means to our family. So for you my loving Sister Julia - I RUN FOR LIFE—YOUR LIFE! God Bless you !
Jodi Green
I Run
I run because I am a survivor. I was first diagnosed in May of 1996, only a few short weeks after the birth of my second son. I was Stage 3 and started chemo within a week. I had surgery, more chemo and then I had a stem cell transplant. What an experience that was!! When I recovered from the transplant, I had radiation. Then I began my life again. I have 2 beautiful sons, and a wonderful family and lots of good friends. I also live in an amazing town that is more supportive than I could ever imagine. My sister began running with Team in Training and finally convinced me to run with her. Our family was very sports oriented, but I didn’t think I could ever run distance. I joined Team in Training and was so excited! One day while running, I noticed that I had a lot of swelling under my arm. I went to the doctor and they watched it for a few weeks. The swelling went away, but my surgeon still felt a lump. We did a biopsy and the cancer was back. I had another mastectomy and started chemo and radiation again. Once that was over again, I joined back with Team in Training....I was actually in the hospital when I was supposed to be in Orlando running my first half marathon. So the following year, I completed my first half marathon at Disney World, with my sister and niece crossing the finish line with me. My parents and boys were in the stands cheering us on! I have since completed 5 half marathons and various 5 K’s. I am now the assistant cross country coach at our high school and have coached the middle school track program for many years. This past October at my regular check up, I got the dreaded news again. It was back. So, I’m doing treatments again...for the third time. My doctor doesn’t want me to run, but she said I can walk. I will be walking, but I can’t wait to join everyone in this cause. I am proud to be a survivor. Running, walking, whatever it is that I can do, makes me feel healthy and normal. I am so thankful my sister talked me into joining her. It has been an amazing experience for me. My community and students have also joined in the fight. Our football and cross country teams had a Pink Ribbon Game to honor local survivors in our community. Our cross country team ran the game ball from the opposing school (50 miles!) and presented it before the game. The survivors got to join the teams on the field for the coin toss. Both our girls and boys basketball teams have also had games to honor and raise money for cancer awareness. To be able to see a community and our youth pull together to help others is wonderful. I run to honor them and all survivors like myself. It is only one way I can give back to people who have helped me. I run for hope, awareness and for my family and friends so that we can fight this battle together. Thank you Donna for organizing this event...I hope to meet you so that I can thank you.
Julia Bargman
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