Why I run....

I am running the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge to honor my father Scott’s struggle with cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer in November 2010, and after a 2 month struggle to find the source, and a very scary free-fall, he was determined to have Adenocarcinoma of unknown origin and started chemotherapy in January 2011. By the time he started treatment; he had lost a lot of weight, lost appetite, was in a lot of pain, and had a tumor marker count that was off the charts. We all feared the worst.

Since he started chemotherapy he has stabilized, the pain has subsided, the tumor marker counts are under control, and he is at work again. Yet we know this is a battle for the long-haul. Chemotherapy is now part of life, and Scott and my step-mother Maureen have adjusted to a new normal. Their grace and resolve during this ordeal has been inspiring.

I run for my Dad and Maureen. To honor their struggle, and the struggles of all families whose loved-ones are battling cancer now, or those who have lost loved-ones to cancer.

I have run marathons before, and have even run for the Marathon Challenge before, but this time it’s personal. Any time I am tired at the end of a long-run, or hill work-out, I think of what he has faced this past year and deals with every day. I see that my problems are small, that those last few miles to run, or hills to climb are insignificant in comparison, and I power through and finish as strong as I can. By race day on April 16, I will have run over 650 miles, biked over 1,000 miles, and climbed hundreds of steps, all for Dad and Dana Farber.

Please help me in the fight against cancer. Please help me to honor my Father’s struggle, and the struggles of all families who have been touched by cancer. My goal is to raise $10,000 for Dana Farber by the day of the Marathon and help them find a cure for cancer.

Please share this blog, and links to my fundraising page with others!