Time stops for no one. It has been well over a year since I have blogged. In this space and time, there have been many miles logged, funds raised, lessons learned and love ones lost. Along the way, it seems I feel out of the habit of documenting it through this blog. It is so hard to believe that this will be my 6th Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team running in honor of Josh, Matty and so many others. We are now just 43 days away from the Marathon. Time stops for no one. Yet we continue to work towards our goal- a world without cancer.
When I
applied to the team back in August of 2011, I never imagined that this team and
raising funds for innovative cancer research would become such a core of who I
am and what I do. When I first applied, I remember being so nervous about fundraising.
I had never done it. Joining the team began as a way to my dear friend Matt’s
nephew, Josh, who had lost his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma the year before. My
desire to honor his courageous battle far outweighed any worries I had about fundraising.
Just like the training, I took it one step at a time. Now as I enter year 6, I
am chasing down a fundraising milestone achievement of $100,000. WOW! It is the
great reminder of all that is possible when we are willing to step up, continue
to show up, and ask others to help and support along the way. Raising funds would not be possible without
the love and support of so many friends, family and coworkers. So I want to
begin with gratitude for all those who have stayed with me on this journey. Together
we are making an incredible impact. We have lots of reminders why funding this
research is so important. Each year more names are added to my shirt and the
shirts of my teammates. This is why I keep coming back. We can and must do
more.
With just 43
days to go, I have $8,191 posted to
my fundraising page. This means I am $11,102 away from reaching the milestone
of $100,000. The amazing thing about our collective achievement is that 100% of
funds go directly to supporting innovative cancer research and that is having a
direct impact on patients currently in treatment while working towards the
ultimate goal of a world without cancer.
A quick summary
of my fundraising:
2012: $15,585
2013: $15,450
2014: $15,979
2015: $15,850
2016: $17,843
2017: $8,191
(as of March 5th)
Total: $88,898 (as of March 5th)
Staying the course- A sustained commitment
We dream a
world without cancer and we are willing to work relentlessly to help make that
dream a reality. We believe that a world without cancer is possible, but
requires funding to support innovative research. It is that simple. My teammates and those who
support us know far too well the pains of a cancer diagnosis, the treatment,
and the enormity of the pain and loss that results from living in a world where a cure
is not always possible. So we do what we can. We run. We ask for donations. We
flood our Facebook feeds with pleas to support our efforts. We share the
stories of so many of our heroes who continue to the fight and those who have
earned their angel wings. We stay the course. This is how I arrived at my 6th
year. I am surrounded by inspirational teammates, some who are in their first year and others who are entering the 20th
year on our team. Together we can do
great things. Together we can work towards a world without cancer. We must step
up, continue to show up and ask for support along the way. So once again, I ask…will
you continue with me on this journey and help me reach the $100,000 milestone.
Together we can crush this goal! Check out the video if you have not seen it
from our team run last week. It is why I do what do. With gratitude and many inspired miles to go!
