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| The Back of My Team Matty Shirt "Don't Stop Believing" and my Phil Riley Patch |
Getting Started, Gaining Perspective, and Getting Inspired
I have shared that each week before our long run, the team gathers and we sign banners for people that are being treated for cancer and to also listen to the Barr Impact Statements (this is the research for which we are raising funds). This week was different. My good friend Sandy, who is actually the person that got me connected with the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team, would be giving the inspirational talk to kick off our run. Sandy is the proud mom of three boys; Chris, Matty, and Zach. On March 25, 2007, Matty lost his battle with cancer. As Sandy reminds us, cancer is family disease. While many of us run with special people in mind, the family members are also a source of inspiration, they too have endured and continue to endure so much. In 2008, Sandy and her husband Johnny ran with Dana Farber to honor Matty's memory. Sandy, Johnny and their sons Chris and Zach continue to volunteer at water stops for many of our team runs. This weekend’s run was in honor of Matty Dubuc’s angel anniversary. Matty and the entire Dubuc Family provided inspiration for the entire Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team as well as for thousands of other runners who were greeted with the most amazing water stop. As we approached you could hear “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey brining you towards them. There were beautiful posters of Matty, SpongeBob balloons, peeps, gummy bears, water, Gatorade, and inspirational stories to remind us why we are running.
As Sandy spoke, my eyes filled up. This season has certainly not been easy for training. However, as I listened to Sandy, I no longer worried about the challenges of training or the 22 miles which I was about to run. My focus was on the many families and loved ones I know who have been impacted by cancer and the importance of what we are doing- running to raise funds in support of a world without cancer. I thought about the Dubuc’s. I thought about my dear friend Matt and his nephew for whom I run in his memory. I thought of so many friends and loved ones. I thought of too many people which reinforced how important the work at Dana Farber is.
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| Team Matty water stop: All the inspiration needed |
Rather than recapping this weeks challenges and lessons learned, I wanted to share with you the words Sandy shared because in her words were both the inspiration and lessons learned for this week and so many more. Her talk can be found on Matty’s Caring Bridges website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matty. I would encourage you to check out his site for the story of a truly inspirational family.
This is my son, Matty (poster of Matty was displayed next to me). Matty was diagnosed with liver cancer when he was 4 years old. Matty endured so much throughout his 3 year battle, which included chemo, radiation, blood transfusions, a liver transplant, 3 lung surgeries, 2 brain surgeries and his left arm was amputated 5 months before he passed away.
Jan asked me to say a few words this morning because since Johnny and I ran with the team, the year after Matty passed, DFMC has continued to honor Matty on this weekend's training run, with his angelversary being on Monday.
I just want to redirect your inspirational focus for today's run. Every mile you log, I'm sure that you have an inspiration behind it. I'm guessing that the majority, if not all of you, are running for someone who's been touched by cancer. And because every run is mostly likely about that person, for today's run, I'd really love for you to dedicate it to the family members of that person, most especially, to the siblings.
I have three boys. Chris is my oldest, Matty, then Zachary, my youngest. Chris was only 6 years old when Matty was diagnosed and Zach was just 12 days old. Although, Chris and Zach never went bald, had a port accessed or received a blood transfusion, they, too, suffered greatly. I always say that cancer is a family journey because it absolutely takes a toll on each family member.
In our family, Chris and Zach missed out on so much. They grew up too fast, they've seen too much and they've learned life's hardest lesson at too young of an age. I know that I'm not the only one who smiles through the pain or who's heart aches with unimaginable pain.
I am so very proud of ALL 3 of my boys. And so, today, I ask you to please think about my boys and the strength it takes for them, my husband and I, just to get up each and every morning to acknowledge yet, another day, without Matty.
I want to thank all of you for doing your part in helping to imagine a world without cancer. On a personal note, I want to give a big thanks to Steve Poirier, who's running again this year for Matty. And I think Steve has something very special to ask Chris.
At that point, Steve took over and thanked Chris for all he's doing to help give back at such a young age! Steve then asked if Chris would jump in at mile 25 (the Jimmy Fund cheering section where will be) of the marathon and finish the marathon with him. Chris was/is thrilled to do so!”
With the inspiration of Sandy and the entire Dubuc Family, I (like many of my teammates) made it the 22 miles. I am not sure I would have made it up over the hills without carry them in my heart. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it has been and continues to be for them or for so many people I know who have or have had a loved one battle cancer. Running a marathon is in no way a comparison to this. I am not sure anything could compare to this. However, perspective is a wonderful thing. Especially when it is families like the Dubuc’s for whom we run. What I said over and over in my head when I felt tired was simply “keep putting one step in from of the other. Imagine the strength that it takes for the families for whom you run. This is NOTHING compared to that. Suck it up. Right foot, left foot, breathe. Repeat.” I did this for 3 hours and 45 minutes. I thank the Dubuc’s for their inspiration. They continue to make me want to do more. Running for DFMC is just one of the ways I can do more.
Fundraising Update:
We are now 21 days away from the marathon. I am excited to report that I hit my initial fundraising goal of $10,000. However, with three weeks left until the marathon, in the spirit of pushing capacity, and because families like the Dubuc’s continue to show us just how much we can do when we commit to making the world a better place, I have increased my goal to $13,100. As of today I have $10,352.45 posted to my fundraising page. One step at a time. One dollar at a time, we will get there.
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| DFMC 2013 |
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| Team DFMC 2013 |
With Gratitude, Kerry D
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