Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
Why I'm Running
I am running in honor of my wife, Sally, a breast cancer survivor. In March 2009 Sally went for her annual mammogram. The doctors notice some very small spots on the mammogram. They compared this with her two previous mammograms and thought that it could be breast cancer. She had two additional mammograms. Then a biopsy was taken. They were now sure she had breast cancer. Over the next month there were other tests and the doctors realized that the cancer, in its’ early stages were in three separate places in the breast. Surgery and reconstruction followed. This whole process took one year. My sweetheart is now cancer free. Although I supported her in so many ways during this period, I needed to do more. I have been a runner for over 32 years. So, it just seemed natural for me to run a race to honor my wife and raise funds for breast cancer research. I am blessed with a wonderful wife and best friend. This is the least I could do to honor her and raise awareness.
Harmon Feig
My grandmother
My grandmother, Elaine Harris, passed away about 3 1/2 years ago from breast cancer. They tried many different treatments, including costly ones, but they all seemed to make the cancer spread faster. Through it all she remained positive. She loved her grandchildren very much. She even ordered a personalized license plate that read “EEs6Joys” to show her love for her 6 grandchildren. She also planned a Disney Cruise for ALL the family, it was to be a grand celebration. She never knew how much fun it would be to drive around in her convertible with her personalized plate or how much fun the Cruise was because she passed away in her sleep before she could ever enjoy either of them. She battled the cancer for 18 months. I am running this 5k for my grandmother “EE”.
Alexia Smith
Change Why I Am Running
I am running to support finding better treatment alternatives and a cure for breast cancer. Although no one in my family had ever been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, in 2002 to show my support, I participated in the Avon 3 Day Walk. Here it is 2009, and at age 66, it was me who was diagnosed with stage 1, Grade 3 breast cancer. I took my day of grieving and disbelief that this could be true, as I subscribe to a healthy diet, exercise, and a love of life. My diagnosis proved to me that Breast Cancer has no favorites. After my day of grieving, I bounced back with the attitude that Breast Cancer was not going to define me. I also decided that once I beat this desease, I wanted to do something big and powerful to show this desease that we would win this war. I then saw the 26.2 With Donna Marathon, The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer. This to me was big and powerful. My granddaughter Brittni said she would run with me. Feb. 21 made it even more heart warming as it became a family affair as my sisters decided to fly in for the event , it would have been our mothers 86th birthday.
Judy Merritt
Why I'm Running
17 years ago I lost my dearest friend, my mom, to the horrible curse of cancer. At that time we heard the word experimental treatment over and over again. Today she possible would still be alive with the changes and research that has been done. I miss my mother and I am honored to run in support of those who can beat it. Two years ago a very dear friend of mine was diagnosed with double breats cancer. SHe is a survivor. Today and Proudly I run is her honor as she supports me from the sidelines! Love you Pam
Jill Schroer
I'm running because...
I am running this 1/2 marathon for several reasons. One of the main reasons is because I have become a friend of my son’s Science teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer last spring after having fought and won lung cancer at 12. I am and always will be forever amazed at her wonderful personality, her smiling face and her fight and will to live and survive. I recently met my son’s 7th language arts teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer this september. I am running to help find a cure for these two wonderful people and for all the amazing people who I have met along the way, the ones who have survived and the ones who are fighting now. I am fighting my my childrens’ and future grandchidren. I hope and pray a cure is found before it’s too late. I am running because I love to run and have been running since I was 12 years old. I wanted to do something to make a difference and if helping find a cure by raising money. Running makes me feel like a whole different person. It is an amazing feeling when you cross that finish line and clocked your best time ever. I am running for Ms. Fifield and Ms. Miller. Two wonderful people with families both at home and at school. I am running to save their lives as well as everyone else who is fighting this horrible disease.
Lisa Tomasino
Why I Run
Why I Run. I am running because I love the feeling I get when I run. And there is no better feeling I get than when I am out there on that course and I am giving it all I’ve got and I get passed by a blazing blur of pink with “SURVIVOR” on the back. Yep, no better feeling than that.
Matt Morris
Auburn, GA
So I won't have to fight
So my husband won’t have to loose his wife, so I won’t lose my friends, sister, mom, coworkers, the lady driving beside me on the road, the checkout girl. So the Starbucks guy’s Aunt won’t have to fight any longer. I run so we all won’t have to fight.
Brandi Preston
Why I ran
I ran to honor my cousin, Mary Caroline Dellenbach, and Cheryl Dean, the sister of my former co-worker. Both died too soon. Cheryl had the triple negative, and I wanted to raise awareness of how lethal and how quick this is, and how it did not turn up on her mammogram. My mom died of ovarian cancer, and I survived an early brush with it. That and a diagnosis of diabetes made me decide to get healthy. So I changed my diet, lost 30 lbs, and began running 18 months ago. I ran a five mile leg of the relay, and it was a challenge for me. But I never knew I could do that much! Now the training has become a part of my regular routine. New goals, new awareness.
Janet McMonagle
Why I'm Running
I am running in honor of my wonderful sister(in law)Debbie. She was an amazing woman! The bravest and most faithful person i know. Together about 10 years ago we began running, for exercise and weight loss, after completing our first 5k she had a great idea to try running a marathon with a team of people fighting to cure cancer! all cancer! I first said are you kidding me? 26.2 miles! ? We both laughed and thought yeah right but we did go on to try it. Later that spring we began training and it wasn’t long before we knew why we were doing this, for all of those who can’t and for all of those have had to go through pain and suffering or seeing a loved one go through it, all the treatments and drugs to fight off this horrible disease called cancer.. We finished our race and along the way met many others who were doing the same thing..running, raising awareness of the need to find a cure! On Sept 27 of 04 she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She went to run a breast cancer 5k race a year after her treatments, and was very moved by all the others out there trying to find a cure, it provided hope and she wanted to do more.!! She fought it with bravery and faith and hope for 4 years and on Oct 15 of 08 she passed away, leaving behind a husband, a son, two daughters, and 4 grandchildren. The last run I got to do with Deb was a 5k in the winter of 06 and she had just heard of this marathon coming up for its first year,26.2 with Donna, she said I hope I get to do that race, at least the 1/2 marathon.. maybe next year. Of course I said we will do it..she got the bad news that the cancer had returned the next fall..So I will run with her in spirit and i hope we can finish this fight to end breast cancer!! I won’t stop till we find a cure!! Cyndie Welch
Cyndie Welch
Why am I running.....
This summer I went to a Christ in Youth Conference with my church. The last night we all were given envelopes. If you opened the envelope you promise to God to do what every is inside. All my friends were getting things like travel over seas and help those in need or cook thanksgiving dinner for 500 families. I was too excited to wait so I ripped mine open, I looked inside and it said run a marathon...... I wasn’t very happy to see this. My best friend in the whole world’s mom died about 2 years ago from breast cancer. One day I was thinking about it, I love my mom so much in the world, I want her to be there for the rest of my life and never leave me. I started thinking of all the things that Melanie will want her mom to be there for like her Graduation, Wedding, the Birth of her children and so many other things. I began to cry thinking of all the pain she must be going through. The nights that she will wake up crying after dreaming of her mother sitting next to her. So I went online and looked up marathons for Breast Cancer and Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer was the first one that poped up. I don’t know what’s in store but I kind of believe everything happens for a reason.
Courtney Scott
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