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Why I'm Running

Why I’m Running is a series of inspirational stories surrounding breast cancer.

I run because I can... while others can't...

Sandy and Jessica At age 35 as a brand new divorced mother of three, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My doctor told me in September that since I was 35 years old I needed a mammogram. I was in the middle of a divorce and didn't actually go for my exam until January 2001. Although I'm not an advocate for ignoring your doctor's recommendations, I am glad that I waited because a small lump was found on my very first mammogram. I had never noticed it and probably would not have for quite some time without the mammogram. If I had gone when the doctor first told me to go, I'm not sure it would have been found. God has his plan even when we don't understand it. I am just grateful every day that my doctor sends all his patients for a mammogram at age 35.

So after 2 mammograms, an ultrasound, and a needle biopsy, I got the call that I never expected....it's cancer. I knew immediately who my oncologist (Dr. Tad Beeker) and radiation oncologist (Dr. John Russell) would be as the two men whom I trusted to cure this disease had already done the same for my mother who had been treated by them for lung cancer and brain cancer. She lived 9 long years beyond her first diagnosis and I truly believe they are the reason. I chose a surgeon (Dr. Gerhard Boehm) who did an incredible job on my lumpectomy which was performed on February 15, 2001. (My husband proposed on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2001 on the night before my surgery. He could have easily walked away from the whole situation, but I'm sure glad he didn't!) The surgery was followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments that lasted until August 2001.

I'm proud to say that I have been cancer free for 7 years!

At the time of my diagnosis, I had been running for health and fitness reasons for about 6 months. I was running 3 miles 5 or 6 days a week and had run a few local 5 K and 10 K races. Throughout my treatments I continued running but only about 2 or 3 days a week. I never really got back to running regularly until my friend Barb talked me into a 10 K race about 4 years ago. I continued running in local races with her encouragement. Last year my friend Isabel asked me if I would be interested in participating in Team in Training to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and to train to run a marathon. I have been very active in raising money for cancer charities in the past by raising money for breast cancer by sponsoring Denim Day at my school and by being a committee member and team sponsor for Relay for Life. Team in Training sounded like a lot of fun: raising money for cancer and training for a marathon. I joined up and ran my first marathon, The Disney Marathon, in January 2007 with my daughter Jessica. I had so much fun that I ran the Country Music Marathon in April. Jessica and I teamed up again as members of TNT and we ran the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in October 2007.

At the Disney Marathon expo, I found the booth for the Breast Cancer Marathon and knew that I had to run this event. This is my event, my chance to help others who are breast cancer patients and to help find a cure for this disease so that others won't have to go through all that I've been through.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones and I want to help others get to where I am...Living my life and loving my friends and family. So I run because I can!

- Sandy Falgout

I run to celebrate every day......

I couldn't believe this marathon was on this particular date - exactly 15 years to the date of my own breast cancer diagnosis. I am so excited to be a part of this event, that the fitness center I work at is also motivating members to run the course. First time half marathoners as well as marathoners will be running together in celebration of fighting this disease. I am also thrilled to have my daughter, who lives in Jacksonville and runs her own Pilates studio in Atlantic Beach, with me for the event. Another wonderful supporter is my mother, who at 67 is running the half marathon with us. I urge everyone to grab whoever they can and let's make the biggest effort ever to conquer this problem. As a 15-year survivor, I am proud of what breast cancer has made me become - a runner with a mission.

- Darla Bennett

I promised myself, that if I was healthy (and alive!), I would run

I survived a breast cancer diagnosed just 14 months ago at age 42. As I prepared for the first of 4 surgeries I went through, I told myself, and those around me that if I was healthy, fit (and frankly alive!), I would run the inagural National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer. Because you don't know what is in store for you when you are first diagnosed with breast cancer, making a committment had to be based on "if" I was able to do it. I needed something to aim for. This was my goal.

I live close to and train along the marathon route, so being here was no problem, but physically I was not able to committ to this until a few months ago. Since then, I have been training with the support of my friends and family. My wonderful husband Steve and our son Henry come out and ride their bikes with me on the long runs, and are there supporting me, just as they were during my diagnosis and treatment. I have a 20 miler under my belt (not easy!), so am beginning to feel this is possible.

Ladies, early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and gives you more options. Go for your mammograms- that's why I am able, after such a short time, to be running in this marathon, and getting on with my life, rather than enduring more life altering treatment. I truly believe the mammogram has saved my life.

I don't expect this marathon to be easy (they never are!), but completion will be a victory for me, and will hopefully spread the word further about early diagnosis, and help end breast cancer forever. Roll on Feb 17th!

- Sheila Hickson-Curran

Her name was Charlotte...

My grandmother was a vibriant, energetic, lively woman. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, my family was in shock. She was healthy and young. Why her? She went into remmission, but a few years later the cancer spread to her liver. Although the doctors only gave her less than a year to live, she fought for another 8 years. All the while still teaching her young students, living her life as a loving grandmother, planting her flowers (her favorite past time), and fighting the cancer by getting weekly treatments. Although she lost the battle on May 15, 2005 at the young age of 58, I know she lives today cancer free with her heavenly father. I am dedicating my pain, sweat, and tears of running my first marathon to her many years of suffering with cancer. I am running for her....and the many others just like her- loving grandmothers fighting to win the battle of breast cancer.

- Kristie Matherne

Walking for Cancer

Pam This is my first marathon, and I must say, I am excited to be a part of this event, knowing that it is for such a good cause. Although I do not know what tomorrow brings, I thank God today for my health and the ability to walk with and for the people that are affected by this disease. There are several women that I would like to lift up and let them know that I am walking on their behalf and I do pray for them often.

Barbara Sanders - my mother's friend and co-worker

Lateisa Grant - a classmate who is a patient where I work

Annie Stanton - the mother of a co-worker, Liz Sefton

My prayer is that the Lord gives you the strength that you need daily and to let you and all the others who are in this fight against cancer that your strength and courage are to be commended and are inspiring. Keep up "the good fight".

- Pam Taylor

I Believe

Hi. I'm Steph, from Naperville,IL (Chicago suburb). I recently received the "clearance" from my oncologist, Dr. Melody Cobleigh (Rush University Medical Center), that will allow me to skip a chemo treatment, spend a few days in Jacksonville, and participate in the 1/2 marathon event.

I am 48. I was diagnosed at 35. My kids were 3 and 5 years old. I have had numerous treatments, radiation(twice), several recurrences, more X-rays, CT scans and PET scans than I care to count, lumpectomy, axillary node dissection, biopsies, surgeries (including lower intestine/resection where the cancer had traveled, oophorectomy, several types of chemo, hormonal, anti-body treatments. The cancer metastasized a few years ago (right femur, more nodes).I'm still here. I'm still running (and walking a bit more. ..)

Since October 2000 I have completed 11 marathons, a dozen or so 1/2 marathons, many 10K's and 5K's, a few triathalons, and basically have determined that I must continue to run/walk to maintain my identity and to be fully alive and living with the daily knowledge and routine of breast cancer in my life. I am currently receiving weekly treatments of Abraxane, bi-weekly treatments of Avastin, and Zometa every 4th week. I'm still in hats (no wig this time), as my 4th set of "new hair" is growing back. I take a pill daily for my thyroid and a pill for blood pressure, both casualties/side-effects of specific treatments.

My kids are now 15 and 17. I am thankful to wake up every morning and continue to beat the odds. Oh,I have my rough days, but overall I know I am receiving excellent care from people who support me, and that gives me the strength to do things, like enter this inaugural event. I am a runner and I am a survivor, and I MUST be there and participate in the 1/2 marathon. Maybe next year, the full event. My friend and running partner, Bill Kreger, has encouraged me every step of the way. That's why he'll be there next to me, crossing that line with hands up, hearts open, tears streaming down our cheeks. And it will be the happiest moment of my life.

- Steph Lesiecki

Why I'm Running

I am running because breast cancer has always been a cause near and dear to my heart. My grandmother and aunts have had it. I am very excited to run the 1/2 marathon because running is a very new goal for me- I couldnt complete a 5k without stopping to walk in September. And here I am running going the distance and raising money at the same time.

- Pauline Fallon

In Loving Memory of Aunt Jane...

I have been involved with the fight against Breast Cancer since 2005 when I began walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in memory and honor of my Aunt Jane. This past summer after the walk I decided I needed a challenge to push myself both physically and mentally...I wanted to run a marathon. I looked online and began searching a calendar of marathons, when suddenly a pink pop-up window appeared with an ad for 26.2 with Donna, in Jacksonville Beach FLA! I believe this moment was fate...

My Aunt Jane, whom our family lost to breast cancer in 1985, was born, raised and lived her entire life in Jacksonville Beach. No marathon could have been more perfect for my first, and I knew it was meant to be. I immediately registered and then tried to start figuring out what I had gotten myself into.

After many countless training runs, a few pairs of shoes, one 1/2 Marathon under my belt, and a nasty bout with plantar faciitis, I am so proud to say I am coming to Jacksonville in a couple weeks! I cannot wait to be a part of the Inaugural Run of 26.2 with Donna.

My mom remembers a time when we visited my Aunt and walked on the beach together. Even as a toddler, I was long and lanky, mostly leg. Aunt Jane made a remark to my mom about my long legs, "She's always gonna have those long skinny legs"... I do still have them. And I am so grateful and honored that I am using them to fight a battle that she and so many others have lost.

I am honored to be running with survivors like Donna, who show me what it means to be a fighter in the marathon of life. I can't wait to see you all in February!

- Annie Dempsey

Why I'm Running

I am running to honor the tremendous courage of Donna and all other breast cancer survivors. Donna is an amazing role model and I admire her strength (both physical and mental). I am also running to honor Kristi Pritchett and her dedication in training for the marathon and for the privilege of knowing her and working with her.

I am also running for myself just because I am a runner! Being a runner is part of my identity and I am so glad I can be a small part of this event.

- Adelle Johnson

For Donna, for Charity, and because it's my last marathon

It’s been 3 years since I completed the Miami Marathon which was my 49th marathon distance run. I had been suffering from shortness of breath during that race and after several years of doctors and specialist, I was diagnosed with stage 2 COPD. This was from many years of smoking cigarettes. (Please persuade your children not to smoke)

I have many friends in the running community who have persuaded me to run one final marathon and with their help, I just completed a long run of 16+ miles.

I decided to run Donna’s marathon, for several reasons, first my dear sister-in-law suffered from breast cancer and I am running in her memory, also I have always tried to align myself with charity runs. Runners are a special community of people, who give freely of their time and recourses for great causes.

Finally, I am running for my friends and wife, Kristi. If it wasn’t for them and their support, I would not have the courage to run.

Look for me, I will be wearing my special "50th marathon for Donna’s first" shirt. This will be my last marathon and there isn’t a better cause, group of people, or place to run.

- Craig O’Neal

Why I'm really running...

Hi Pals.......!!!! Just a note to share with you WHY I'm really running...........this Half-Marathon.....

JUST a MID-Life experience!!!!....

Just turn 40 yrs old when decided to start running and probably training for an official event. My youngest brother, out of 4 we are in total, is an Iron Man, which I had always ADMIRE, but I had never pass myself from an aerobic 1 hr class, spinning, power walking, ETC...

Then, D Day comes...... a co-worker just ran a marathon on her 40's birthday and wanted everybody to know and share her SUPER (& somehow terrible too) experience. She just started recluting people to go over this event, selling it as "just a Half-Marathon, I just came from a MARATHON....you can DO this...." Anyways, to make a LONG story short, here I am, almost a year after, READY to run 13.1 miles accross Jacksonville, FL, with ALL my Love, for all the persons that had pass the terrible experience of breast cancer, and of course, for ME, so I can prove to myself, I really CAN, no matter that I just turned 41 last DEC. :)

Wish U ALL the Best!!

See U 2/17.

- Estela Padro

I run to celebrate every day...

- Darla Bennett

Why am I running?

My friend Kitty that was diagnosed with breast cancer early last year, she did chemo and now she is doing well, I am running for her and all the people battling breast cancer.

I pray to God for a cure, I pray to God for those who lost someone dear to them, I pray to God that neither my husband, myself or our son have to deal with such a horrible disease.

I will run to honor you, the survivor and the families of those who lost the battle.

- Astrid Catanza

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

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

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DONNA HICKEN FOUNDATION

The Donna Hicken Foundation raises money for First Coast women living with breast cancer.

MAYO CLINIC

The Mayo Clinic is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

GALLOWAY TRAINING

The Galloway Training Program is the official training program for 26.2 with Donna. Learn more!