Why I Run...

My father died when he was 39 from cancer.  I was 7.  When my sister, Meredith, was 39, she was diagnosed with cancer.  On the day she called me crying saying she had cancer, I was watching my dear friend, Kim’s little girl, for the evening because Kim’s son, Sawyer, was undergoing brain surgery.  He too had cancer. 

After months of chemo, we received great news – my sister’s scans all came back clean.  She was cancer free.  Since that news 2 years ago, Sawyer has passed away at the age of eight, and my sister’s cancer is back.  

When Meredith and Sawyer were diagnosed, I shaved my head in solidarity, and ran with Team in Training.  Now, I’m mad and, a bit scared. I’m mad that Meredith’s cancer is back.  I’m mad that I took my 7 year old to the funeral of his 8-year old friend.  I’m scared because I am about to be 39 – the same age my father was when he died and the same age my sister was when diagnosed. 

But, I refuse to sit back and be scared.  That is why I am registered to participate in the Fort Worth Half Iron on May 20th, 2018.  I will be racing 70.3 miles to raise money and awareness for Children’s Cancer Fund.