Cancer in its various forms has had a tremendous impact on my life. I remember the moment I was told that my uncle would not survive his battle with esophageal cancer when I was 15. I couldn't understand how anything could be powerful enough to take down the strong and vibrant man that I knew. He loved living, had boundless energy and also a knack for finding the fun in everything. He fought long and hard but cancer ultimately took him away, leaving the world a little less bright.
My first Christmas with Uncle John
A few years later, my aunt was diagnosed with glioblastoma. I soon learned that it is the most aggressive form of brain cancer and that she was terminal. She and I had always shared a special bond and I couldn't imagine life without her. She left behind three children and a hole in all of our hearts that will never be fully healed.
Me at age 3 with my Aunt Dorothy
In 2008 my mom's youngest sister - my aunt and close friend - learned she had a malignant tumor in her pancreas. Having survived breast cancer and sarcoma I was convinced that she'd beat this. As they wheeled her into surgery to remove the tumor I told her I'd be there when she woke up. She never did. A massive bleed on the operating table caused her to slip into a coma and she passed away peacefully a few hours later. Her closest friends and family were by her side to say goodbye.
Aunt Colleen and her yorkie Beatrice
When my youngest cousin was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the same cancer as her mom, at the age of 12 my ability to be shocked by a cancer diagnosis was sadly gone. We held fundraisers, cooked meals, and showered her with all of the love we had to give. But it wasn't enough, and cancer broke our hearts once more when it took our beautiful girl.
Stephanie's photo on the back of her book, The Ruby Heart. Published with the help of Make-A-Wish, a dream come true, shortly before she passed away.
My mom met and eventually married a man who had lost his 12-year old son years earlier to Burkitt lymphoma and that's ultimately where my cancer-fighting journey began. I joined his team Project Trevor in 2010 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb and was amazed by the number of people who had come together for one incredible cause: to fight cancer. I would continue to participate and volunteer with LLS at many events for the next 5 years.
In 2014 I took it to the next level and made cancer-fighting my career, joining LLS as staff so that I could literally work for a cure. It was there that I learned about Team In Training (TNT) and at last I found something that united my passions. Over the past 5 years, I have participated in 5 amazing events with TNT, raising nearly $15,000 personally for the LLS mission.
2015 Nike Women's Half Marathon, San Francisco
2017 Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon
2018 Lavaman Waikoloa Olympic Triathlon, HI
2018 Pacific Crest Olympic Triathlon, Sun River OR
2019 America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, Lake Tahoe
2020 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Dopey Challenge), Orlando FL
I am now taking on Team In Training’s Resilience Challenge to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. During the month of June, I will be moving for the LLS mission, completing 500 miles while fundraising and raising awareness for blood cancers. Blood cancer patients need our support now more than ever in these challenging times. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is at the forefront of the fight against cancer and provides critical support to blood cancer patients across the country. I invite you to be #TNTRESILIENT in the face of cancer by making a donation or by joining me in this challenge!
I swim, bike and run in honor of all those currently battling this disease and in memory of my Uncle John, Aunt Dorothy, Aunt Colleen, cousin Stephanie, Trevor Price and all of the others who have lost their lives to cancer.
GO TEAM
