Who do you want to be? This is a question I ask myself
often. I recognize that I am defined by both my words and my actions. Training to run a marathon and fundraising to
support innovative cancer research with my DFMC teammates reminds me that I
make the choice of who I want be each and every day. It is not always easy. It
is also the reminder that words, while important, are often easier than action.
I have been thinking about this quite a bit on my training runs, my solo runs
on the treadmill and when I ask family, friends and coworkers to continue to
support our collective efforts to fund research aimed at world without cancer.
I think just about everyone I know dreams of or at least desires a world
without cancer. This is where I ask the question-who do I want to be? I know I
want to be part of making that dream a reality and therefore, the question has
been translated into- what am I willing to do? My teammates, our dedicated volunteers and our many supporters provide great inspiration.
One of my greatest reminders and calls to actions comes in
my mom’s words as I leave the house most days, when she smiles and says “be a
light.” These three simple words have
taken the place of what is often said “have a good day.” While I am sure she
wants me to have a good day, the real wisdom in her words is that with each day
comes a call to action and it is in our response that the day’s destiny takes
shape. If I see myself as a light and choose to be one in my interactions with
others throughout my day, it is likely to be a good day and if not, I can help
to make a difficult day, bearable.
Over the past few years I have been fortunate enough to
travel several times to Europe. I have spent time in France, Germany and Italy.
One of the experiences that impacted me the most was standing still in silence
in great cathedrals inspired by and in awe of the architecture that took
hundreds of years to build. In the 21st century it is difficult to
comprehend working on anything that doesn’t provide more immediate
gratification from the fruits of our labor. This causes great pause for me. I
find myself amazed of all the progress we have made with technology and wonder
what the builders, engineers, and scientists of centuries ago would think of
the incredible advances of today. In the same pensive pause, my mind travels
and recognizes that we still have so much work to do to support greater
advances in medical research. In spite of all the advances of the 21st
century, there are days I feel like we are like the builders of ancient times when
it comes to fighting diseases such as cancer. We keep plugging away and doing
our part. We run and raise funds with the help of supportive family and friends
to support the innovative research of some of the brightest researchers the
world knows hoping and believing that someday a cure will be upon us. It is in
the continued efforts that we all decide who we want to be and what we are
willing to do.
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| My mom and me in front of the Cathedral in Colonge, Germany |
It is 6am on a Saturday in early February. It is cold,
raining and expected to turn to snow. As I sip my coffee and begin to prepare
for my 14 mile DFMC team training run, my mind starts to race with many excuses
of why I should stay home. Some make great sense. It is amazing how we can
convince ourselves just about anything and how hard it can be to ignore that
inner voice that wants you to surrender. On the particular Saturday I am
thinking of, it was especially hard because even once I was ready to go with a
little inspiration from my friend Sandy, I had an hour car ride in the pouring
rain. “Who do you want to be?” and “what are you willing to do?” are the
questions I asked myself as I drove to Newton. My answer was a resounding; I
want to be someone who shows up. I want to be someone who sees the challenge
and says let me help. I want to be someone who runs on days even when I may not
feel like it because I am running for a reason so much larger than myself. I
want to work hard to support a world without cancer even though at times it
seems miles and years away from meeting that goal because too many people I
know have been impacted by this horrible disease. As a member of the DFMC team,
I am in good company. After an hour drive in the pouring rain, I am greeted by
smiling teammates and volunteers. The cold, rain, and snow do not seem so bad
when we are together. You see my teammates and the volunteers are what I aspire
to be, a light. When we are together, the conditions of the day
become part of the backdrop and become part of what makes us stronger. It is
with my teammates that I believe the cathedral is possible.
Four years ago, when
I first joined the team to honor my friend Matt’s nephew Josh, I was not sure I
would be able to raise the $5,000 minimum required. As I enter my 5th
year on the team, with your help, I have surpassed $70,000 raised to support
innovative cancer research in Josh’s memory and the memory of Matty and so many
other friends and family members. I stand still in silence and in awe of the
collective power that exists when we all continue to show up and step up in the
ways we can. Progress is made when we continue brick by brick, mile by mile,
and dollar by dollar to contribute and to be a part of the change we desire. This is who we are and who I want to continue
to be. You continue to show me this. Even
on dark days I want to be a light. Being a member of the Dana Farber Marathon
challenge Team has proven to be one of my greatest lessons helping me to be the
person who I want to be. We do hard things and we do them together. I am
inspired by my teammates, the volunteers and our many supporters. Together
anything is possible and collectively we are a bright light. We are closing in on $8,000 towards my yearly goal of $15,000.
With many inspired miles to go!
Kerry D
