Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
Faith, Family and Friends
I am running to Kick Breast Cancer’s Butt (as Ruth puts it)
I am running for my girls- Ruth = 11yrs and Ann = 9yrs, I’m running for my sisters Ann - survivor 5+ yrs and Betty and their daughters-my nieces- Elizabeth, Mary Lambeth, Natalie and Libby. I’m running for my mom and her two sisters-my Aunt Alice and Aunt Laddie and my Aunt Kooka and her daughters Jane and MayBeth. And I’m running for all my cousins and Missy and Emily.
I’m running for all my precious friends, for my friends who are currently fighting breast cancer and those who have battled it and won and those who fought hard and are now in Heaven.
January 17th, 3 years ago I had a bi-lateral mysectomy and am now cancer free. I am very thankful for my doctors and mammography. I am running 26.2 miles to say Thank-You for all the love and support I recieved during that journey.
So I am Running 26.2 miles with Donna- I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for all Donna does for so many women on the First Coast and really everyone she meets. I can not go without mentioning Tim and all he has done for this Marathon and his love and enthusiasm for Donna.
I am proud to Run For Donna and literally with Donna, as she has fought this 3rd Dx of Breast Cancer. Her pace came down about 2 notches and she has been running with Amanda and her Sweet Feat What a gift that has been. We have all laughed together, prayed together and can’t believe we all talk continously through every run. The Jeff Galloway Training is absolutly awesome and I am so thankful I got off the couch. Thank-you Chis, Amanda and Dr.John for all the leadership you have provided. I can’t believe I’m going to run 26.2 miles, but I have great Faith that God will supply me with what I need every step of the way. I’m running the race before me and I am forever grateful to be part of this Inaugarul Marathon to find a Cure for Breast Cancer.
Mary Binkley
Why I'm Running
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 12th 2001. I was one of the "lucky" ones in that my cancer was found very early through a routine mammogram. Micro-calcifications revealed malignant cancer throughout the ductal system of my left breast. If I had gone much longer it could have become invasive and would have involved much more extensive treatment. As was, I had a masectomy of my left breast and a third of my right breast removed as it was developing micro-calcifications but was not yet cancerous. I had always exercised regularly but had never done a marathon which had been on my list of things to do. I joined a Making Strides Team benefiting our local Wellness Community and through the Jeff Galloway program I completed my first marathon AND met some wonderful people and ! It was an amazing experience! Since then I have continued running marathons including qualifying for and running Boston. This will be my 7th marathon and I knew as soon as I heard about it, I had to run in it. Too many women have had to suffer with this disease. It’s time for it to stop!!
Nancy Curtis
I run for my daddy
It seems as if everyone knows someone affected in one way or another by breast cancer. I have had two friends that battled it and now I am honored to call them SURVIVORS. However, my story hits way too close to home and my heart. My beloved daddy was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. WOW! The first thing people say to me is: Your dad? I never knew that men can get it. And my answer to them is: they absolutely can, but HE is going to beat it. I am not only running for my daddy, but for everyone to know that MEN GET IT TOO! My daddy is my world! I am running for him because I am proud of him and I will support him every step of the way! I love you DADDY more than life itself! You can do this! And remember, I THINK BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jaime Eason
Why I am running?
This is my 13th marathon but this one is very special to me. I am runnning for the many women and families that have been affected by breast caner one way or another. One being my mother and two of my aunts. My mother taught me everything I know about exercising and being fit. I always looked up to her becasue she could do everything there was athletically. She taught me how to play basketball, tennis lift weights, how to eat right and take care of my body. She was the epitome of what a woman should be. At age 31 I can remember her pulling me and my older sister aside and telling us that “mommy was very sick”. TO me it was as if I was suspeneded in time. Here I was hearing from the very person that I honored and looked up to as “superwoman” that she was sick. she told us that she had breast cancer. I really did not undertstand fully what this meant. BUt I knew it was not good. I remember seeing my mother in so much pain in the hospital after her surgery. Then seeing her coming from Tripler Medical Center in Hawaii being on chemotherapy and trying to be so strong. She stayed strong for her family but at night I would hear and see her cry becasue of what she was going through. From body building to not being able to do much my mom stayed strong. She was and is my hero. I had my first scare at 19 years old. Along with my first mamogram. I have had many scares throughout the years and my mother has been there through it all. Today she is 54 and cancer free. I have just had a surgical biopsy from an abnormal growth found in my right breast. I can say that that growth is benign and the DNA test shows that I do not carry the gene. I thank God for that. I have so many friends that have suffered and dealt with this disease. SO on February the 17th I am runing for them, I am running for you. To support all who are dealing, coping, and helping to win this fight against breast cancer. Thank you to all those organizations, doctors, and individuals who have demonstrated selfless service to the betterment and improvement of studies and treatments to fight against breat cancer. I salute you and may God bless you all. Race for the cure, live life more.
Leona Brown
FSU AMWA Team
I am running as member of the Florida State College of Medicine American Medical Women’s Association Team. As future physicians, we would like to support the many different aspects of breast cancer outreach including awareness, research, patient rights etc. All the members coming over from Tallahassee are honored and thrilled to run in this inaugural race!
Anthony Sochet
Why I'm running
I started running again about four years ago, I think in an attempt to make me feel as though I was fighting for my sister Peggy who had been diagnosed with cancer. She fought the good fight but lost the battle on June 1st 2005.
My Mother is a survivor of some 30 years and at 81 continues to excercise her body and mind. She is remarkable.
I have a sister in law Tammy that is winning the battle with breast cancer and is doing very well. My father in law lost his battle in 2006 and my mother in law in 2007.
I won’t mention the names of the numerous people that I work with that are currently fighting and their spirit is an inspiration to all they know.
So as I run the half marathon I will spend time thinking of each and everyone of them. My Sister’s / Brother’s all. I miss my sister who was taken away at the young age of 57. I have a song about 3 miles in to every run that is just about her and it’s been there since she began her fight and it will always be there….that way, in a small way, she will always be here.
Michael Ray
Two sisters, Cynthia and Kathleen, so connected, now separated
I remember the day when Cynthia arrived at my house to tell me she had breast cancer. I remember wishing I was the one who would start the aggressive battle rather than her. Stage three breast cancer, she didn’t deserve this news and after all I was sure I was stronger. Her battle began and my mother and I were by her side. She had chemotherapy, a radical mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, more chemo and then radiation. Then came a time of no treatments, after all, I believed she had won the battle. Upon re diagnosis I watched her amazingly fight the battle again. This time the cancer attacked her spine and suddenly in three short days I watched her stumble, fall ,and then never walk again. Still she continued to battle on, she maintained her career as the retail buyer for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I watched her work from her hospital bed, a rehab center, and eventually from my mother’s home as we cared for her there. Cynthia was not a runner, in fact, she never "got" why I ran. After watching my beloved sister die right before my eyes, unable to walk from the cancer that attacked, I run this race in her honor and in memory of her. Cancer has changed my life forever and broke my heart beyond repair. To Jacksonville I head with three girlfriends from Cooperstown, New York. I never want any of "my girls" to face this breast cancer battle.
Kathleen Galland-Bennett
Why I am running
On February 17, 2008 I will run 26.2 miles to celebrate life. I will run to celebrate my mom who died 12 years ago from breast cancer. I will run for those who are battling breast cancer. And when I feel like I can’t run anymore, I will look to my right and see my brother Senan running with me. I will look to my left and see my family and friends supporting us, cheering us on. I will look in front of me and see my mom…pacing me to the finish.
Sheila Lindsay
Declaring Admiration & Love
I’m walking this marathon as a declaration of admiration and love to my mom, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, future children, and all the brave souls who have fought breast cancer and those who will fight it one day.
I hope that one day we’ll live in a world where breast cancer no longer takes the most vibrant, loving, and nurturing souls of this Earth away from us. I know that our combined support ABSOLUTELY makes an effort in the fight against this awful disease and my hat goes off to its supporters and more importantly, all those who have bravely fought breast cancer, as well as those who have supported these brave women through the fight.
Let’s fight this together!
Ivy Mattio
Praise God for healing me!
As an ultrarunner I wanted to run this marathon to honor my sister, Karen Hilt, who died from Breast Cancer at the age of 41. In the mean time, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and underwent a double mastectomy in November 2007. This marathon gave me the motivation to get moving again after my surgery. Although I haven’t quite returned to my pre-surgery fittness, I will finish this race. It will be a celebration of my cure, my cosurvivors, and a tribute to Karen’s life.
Judy Rowland
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