Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer. Why are you running? Submit your story.
My Daughter Inspired Me
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. It was caught very early and I believed after surgery that was it. And it was--sort of. For 9 years I never gave it another thought. But in 2007 I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, and that hit hard. For a while, I lived each week as if it was my last. A bad period in my life. Two years ago, my daughter, who declared she hates to run, decided to challenge herself and she trained and flew across the country to complete the 1/2 marathon with Donna. She did it for me, and 2 others dear to her who also have had the disease. As I listened to Jeff Galloway at the Expo the night before that race, and then watched my daughter cross the finish line, I made myself a promise that the following year I would run, too. Because the cause is to important not to. I completed the 1/2 marathon last year, inspired by my daughter, for a dear friend lost that year to breast cancer, and to celebrate a future for myself. This year my daughter will again fly in and we will run together. Life can’t get much better!
Jenrette Mardee
St. Augustine, FL
In Honor of my Sister Wanda
Back in April of this year while sitting relaxing on the Deck of a Cruise Ship to the Bahamas, I was reading one of Jeff Galloway’s Book. In the back, it talked about Donna and how she started the World’s only Breast Cancer Marathon that donates 100% of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research and to those who need assistance. I told my sister who was cruising with me, THAT’S IT! I will COMPLETE my FIRST marathon in Honor of you! My sister Wanda, who lives in Tampa, FL is a 15 year Breast Cancer Survivor as of 6 July 2011! We had a great event in Columbus GA in her Honor, called The Pink Party!! Other Survivors who attended were Spotlighted and received Speical Gift Bags! So, when Big Dawg Running Company decided to bring Jeff Galloways Half/Full Marathon training program to Columbus, GA, geared toward the Soldier Marathon scheduled for 12 Nov, I immediately signed Up! My thing was WOW! I can get the training, and I will have a Marathon under my belt before Feb !
12 2012! We’ve been training since 7 May, and it’s been AWESOME! I feel great as we add on the MILES! I also will be running in Honor of all the survivors who attended my sisters Pink Party! I also will be running in Memory of my friends I’ve lost to Breast Cancer.I’m Looking forward to the day WE FINISH BREAST CANCER!!!!!
Cynthia Hightower
Columbus, GA
Jan's Journey
Wow, It’s really hard to believe this is 26.2 with donna #5! How time flys...and oh how precious is that time. Sometimes we happily leave a place we will never see again , and sometimes we return though we hoped we never would. I started training for the first donna run for my sister Jan( a 3 time BC survivor) by start day I too was a survivor. I’ve learned to hold some things closer and to let others go and God has been really good! Today I found out that Jan has a tumor in her brain and next week we step up the treatment again. So year 5 I’ll again be running for my sister. And though we face another giant- we’re no longer scared. We’re focused, not afraid. We know a truth so much bigger and stronger than any cancer. We know in the end the good guy wins. And we can do all things through God who strengthens us. February 12, 2012 will be another good day and again I’ll run cause I can!
Kristi Pritchett
Neptune Beach, FL
Why Rebecca Runs
Hi - I just wanted to let you know how much the marathon & 1/2
marathon mean to me. In 2010, I decided to do an event every month of the
year - it was my way of staying focused and staying accountable with myself.
I live in the NW and didn’t know what to do in the month of February and as
it turned out I was scheduled to go to Jacksonville for a work trip. At the
last minute, I signed up for the 1/2 marathon. Traveled by myself and ran by
myself. As I was waiting for the shuttle at the hotel, I met a wonderful
older couple. I thought how sweet to run with your husband (or wife). My
husband gave up running years ago. Anyways, we started talking and I noticed
the woman had on a survivor shirt. Since breast cancer runs in my family, I
asked her how she did it - how did she get through all the surgery and
treatment. She responded - I ran. I thought to myself, if I EVER have to go
through that I will run - just like she did. Well as I at the starting line
- shivering - I thought you know, I have that lump in my left breast...I
really should get that checked out. It took a few months but I finally
convinced my doctor do send me for a mamagram (I’m 35 so technically I was
too young). Well as it turned out I was later diagnosed with breast cancer
and had a bilateral mastectomy and 12 weeks of chemo. I remember what that
woman told me about running through treatment. I wish I remembered her name
- she helped me in so many ways. I stayed with my commitment and completed
12 events - including walking 60 miles (a month after surgery); running a
full marathon, and 2 1/2 marathons all during chemo. I’m very thankful for
that last minute decision to sign up for the 1/2 marathon 26.2 with Donna.
Thank you and I’ve already signed up for the 1/2 marathon in Feburary! I
can’t wait!
Rebecca Seago-Coyle, Breast Cancer Survivor
Washington State
Why Lorie Runs
I am excited to be able to run again as I recovered from head trauma due to a car accident that totaled my car in 2009 and the doctors said i could never run but I am proud to say that I beat the odds thanks to the Almightly God above! I am running for the survivors and also for everyone who has lost someone they love, long before their time. And I am running for my best friend Shawn McCave who passed away Thanksgiving day 2010 due to a long battle with cancer. And to my grandfather “Poppy” , Aunt Doris, and Uncle Gary who lost their fight to cancer. May they smile forever down from Heaven knowing they are remembered always!
Lorie Bush
St. Augustine, FL
Why Sally Runs
I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 11, she was in her early 40’s. I ran the inaugural Breast Cancer Marathon in 2008 and the week after I returned home from the trip, I found out I was BRCA2 positive. A week after getting those results, I found a lump and upon the recommendation of my doctors (due to being high risk) I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy. After seeing my mom go though a tough battle with cancer, I felt this was a choice I was comfortable making but also was so inspired by all the positive survivors I came across in Jacksonville. This year, I am returning with my two daughters (ages 5 and 7) so they can see all the beautiful success stories of strong women fighting and winning against breast cancer, which I wish I had encountered more of when I was young, dealing with my mom’s cancer and death. I became fear ridden of the disease and it’s a strong drive in me to give me ladies a different outlook!
Sally Williams
Gilbert, Arizona
Why Louis Runs
I Run for 3 reasons: 1. For the cause of defeating this disease. 2. For my sister who died of Breast cancer at 47 years old. 3. For my daughters so they will never get this disease. Hopefully they find a cure soon. I think that every health father who has a daughter should join this cause. Thanks for your support!
Louis
Jacksonville, FL
I am Running to give Hope
I am running to give Hope! I love to run, and I am running because I can! I am a 2 time breast cancer survivor and have always been an athlete. During treatment with the second diagnosis I found myself running to get away from it all; running was my time to be free and to talk with God. At first I thought I was running away from the cancer and the fear, but as I ran I found peace, it was me, God and the road and I realized I wasn’t running away but was running toward something - Life! I developed lasting side effects from chemo and my neurologist told me my running days were numbered. I was so upset when I heard this news; how could they take this away from me? Running was my solitude time and I couldn’t imagine my life without running. I always thought Marathons were for the insane, and couldn’t imagine myself running that distance, but then I met Donna at the 2009 Disney Marathon Expo and decided that if I were to run a marathon this is the one I would want to run. However, based on what my doctors had told me, I didn’t think it would be possible for me to run it. Thankfully my oncologist decided to send me for a second opinion and I was told by my new neurologist that if I wanted to run a marathon then she would help me to get there. That was great news. My goal was set for 2011 and the training began. As I was training I also read Donna’s book “Through Rose Colored Glasses,” and I was so motivated and inspired. I knew this was going to be awesome. As the race draws closer the excitement continues to build. I can’t believe I am running my first marathon, but its not just any marathon. I am running for the women who have been on this journey before me and for those who are with me so we can hopefully ensure that those in the future won’t have to go through and experience what so many of us have - let’s Finish It! Thank you to all my friends, family and of course, my sister survivors! I have been blessed to have people like you in my life during this journey! Love & Hugs, Melissa
Melissa O'Neil
Woodbridge, VA
Why Stephen Runs
This will be my third year participating in the 26.2 With Donna. I run because of my wife and best friend, Pam. She is almost a five year survivor. Everyday I am inspired and motivated by her. She has fought hard and braved the nightmares of this terrible disease. Pam has such a zest for life and it instills me to keep running. This year I have the priveledge of having Pam run with me! This will be her first half marathon and I am so exicted for her. I cant wait to see her cross that finish line and receive her medal. She is sooo deserving! I am so proud of you sweetheart!!
Stephen Mueller
Clemmons, NC
Why Jessie Runs
The date of marathon day in particular is a bittersweet one for me. On Feb. 13th, 2003, my first husband was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. Two weeks later he was gone at the age of 28. Although he did not have a battle with breast cancer, it was cancer still the same. And in reality, he didn’t get to fight. I am also running for 2 different Nancy’s. My mom’s friend and my friends mom who are both breast cancer survivors. Any way I can help to fight any type of illness seems well worth it to me. So I am running for the memory of Bill, and for the future of the Nancy’s.
Jessie Taft
Florahome, FL
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