Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
Why I'm running
"Smile at everyone because everyone is fighting their own battle" were the words I read across the top of a client’s computer 379 days ago. 2 days later my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and told that he could be looking at 2 to 3 months to live. Thanks to the Mayo Clinic, great friends, and hope he has had over 300 "bonus days" (as my mom deemed them). While the past year has been filled with ups and downs and hours (that seem like days) of waiting for scan and test results, it has also been a year filled with great joys and laughter. So I run for my Dad and for the hope that one day no one else will count "bonus days" but instead the anniversaries from the day they were cured. (And I run for Lisa and everyone else fighting their own battle).
Jennifer Turk
Atlanta, Georgia
Why I'm running
I am running for one of the most special women I have ever met - my stepmother Carol Rose. She is a TWO TIME survivor. She is a true example of what a survivor is. She has never let the disease beat her and has the strongest will of anyone I have ever met. She has always been there for me no matter what I needed. I hope that I can turn out to be half the woman to my stepchildren that she did not have to be for me. I love you.
Lisa McKelvey
Reading, Pennsylvania
I run for them
I am a member of the AF Reserves. I am a Flight Med Tech, a nursing student and a woman. Many of the flight nurses and tech’s that I work with have battled many types of Cancer… I run for them. I have family that have had Cancer scares. I have friends who have Cancer. I have friends who have succumbed to Cancer ...I run for them. I know that cancer doesn’t only effect the patient. I know that cancer effects everyone who has been touched by that person and their family… I run for them. I run for those who can’t. I run for those who want to run. I run for those who run with me. I run for me. And… I run for them. FM, NDO, TKT, VM, KB, JAJ, GLP, DPP, MAB 459 ARW, AES, ASTS, AMDS, 315 AES I RUN FOR THEM… Because they can’t…
Melissa Barber
Arlington County, Virginia
Why I'm running
I share a common thread that weaves the fabric of your marathon. I too am a breast cancer survivor and a runner. On top of my breast cancer diagnosis, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. On a very physically and emotionally challenging day, I opened my new issue of Runner’s World to the page advertising "26.2 with Donna" (great name by the way...). There looking back at me was my newest goal. From that moment I made a commitment to run with you. A perfect opportunity for me to do what I do best ...run. I have been running for nearly 30 years (yikes!). Running has been part of my life, recovery, and renewal for a very long time. So after a lengthy forced hiatus, I am back! I will continue to run, staying a head of breast cancer and MS. Neither will catch me! So, here’s to all of us who have survived and live each day and for those who fought the battle and sadly lost the war. Thank you for taking on this worth endeavor! I plan to raise lots of money for the cause. Let’s Go!! See you there!
Donna Davis- Rankin
Manchester, Maine
I run for them
I have three friends at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office who are currently fighting breast cancer. I am running for them. Continue the fight girls! God is faithful!
JoAnne Seach
Jacksonville, Florida
Celebrate life
I am a two year breast cancer survivor I began running after I ended all my treatments as a way to begin living a healthier life and fight back against this disease that had entered my life. I am so excited to be coming to this event with my wonderful husband (and greatest caregiver in the world), a dear friend who was with me during treatments, and a sister-in-law who has supported me through these past two years with love and encouragement. I will be running for hope, for life, and to encourage those who may be touched by this disease. I hope to encourage others to fight back against this disease and not let it take away their spirit and hope.
Belinda Johnson
Why I am Running With Donna!
I met a wonderful woman when I was 14 years old. She held my hand as I recovered from my first Breast Biopsy when I was 15. She saw me grow into a woman and I eventually married her son. A beautiful woman with so much life. She laughed easily and lived humbly. She went to church and sang in choir. This woman, my mother-in-law, Linda Toussaint , was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1992. She became a survivor. In 2003 she was diagnosed a second time with Breast Cancer. Although, knowing the chances for a second time diagnosis, she under went treatment and was present later that year when my son was born. On January 3, 2005, I held my mother-in-law’s hand as the doctor explained that the cancer had returned and that this time it was not treatable. She passed away November 2005 at the age of 54. This is why I run. I run in the memory of Linda Toussaint. I run to help support all individuals who, has had or will have this horrible disease. I run to help fight the good fight.
Penny Punnett
Jacksonville, Florida
I run for you
I run for you. I may not know you, but I run for you. I may not have the same pains as you, but I run for you. We may not share the same faith. We may not come from the same background or have the same beliefs, but I run for you. The only way I can feel you is to feel my own heart beating. My breath is the same as yours. The blood runs through my veins and my muscles ache, and that is how I know you. You are with me, and I run for you.
Andrea Ayotte
Fort Meyers, Florida
Why I'm running
My beautiful mother passed away just one year ago from breast cancer. She was only 49. She raised 5 of us virtually by herself. She watched three of her sons who were Marines enter and leave Iraq several times. She lost everything she ever owned in Katrina and then she lost her battle with breast cancer right when she should have been starting her life over again. I will train and I will run in her memory and to try to fight this disease which I have come to hate. I wish I would have known that breast cancer doesn’t go away, that once you are diagnosed, the cancer isn’t killed, it’s just waiting to come back. My mom was first diagnosed in 2003, when I was pregnant with my second child. She was going through chemo at the birth and she was in the delivery room when Amelia was born. She fought the breast cancer and won, but a week before Amelia’s third birthday- she was gone. Amelia looks just like my mother. She is gone, and I miss her. I want so much. I want to run this marathon so that maybe one day no one will have to face this kind of sorrow. I will run, and I will fight this disease for those who can’t, and in the memory of my mom. A great mom and a wonderful grandmother- if only for a little while.
Lisa Berger
South Carolina
I Run for life
I have three daughters. I do not want them to have to face the fight with breast cancer. I run for a cure. I run for life. I run for the future. I run in remembrance of those who suffered in the past. I run for those facing the fight NOW! Payton, Paige and Paxton (my daughters) I run for you! Love Mommy
Tyree Crews
Jacksonville, Florida
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