Hello Family & Friends (& Friends of Friends!)

Have you ever been asked the question, "Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?" 

 If I was to be asked that question 10 years ago in 2014 ... WOW!  I would not predict that I'd be where I am now in 2024.  In 2014, my future was uncertain.  But fast forward to the present in 2024 & I am celebrating my 10 year rebirth-day!  The 10 year anniversary of my bone marrow transplant for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia!   HALLELUJAH  & THANK THE LORD!. 

This past decade has had some challenges & changes for me - some good, some great, some not so good or great. That's life for everyone & we just keep going.  I control what I can by making good choices in respect to my health.  There is no doubt that running has been my wisest choice.  I ran my first Broad St Run in 2016- the exact 2 year anniversary of my transplant.  It has become my favorite race because it is a tangible reminder that I am strong & I don't quit. Right after my 5 year anniversary, I got my life's motto tattooed on my arm - She believed she could, so she did.  Running long distance requires the mental toughness to keep going even though it would be much easier to stop.  The "never quit" attitude has helped me get through many of life's challenges, especially the challenge to recover from the transplant.

I run this race for myself but mostly I run to honor all of the blessings I have been given throughout my cancer journey.  I know my transplant was an amazing gift and I will always be grateful.  I will never forget all that was given to me.  I am also running this year to raise funds for the AACR - American Association for Cancer Research.  There are more than 200 types of cancers and due to continued research, a cancer diagnosis is no longer an automatic death sentence.  It is still scary, though!

It will be so motivating for me if you would honor my 10 year cancer survival by donating to the AACR. With your help, we can create better outcomes for all cancer survivors. My specific treatments & transplant & recovery were extremely difficult.  More funding for more research is the only way to make that process more successful and less traumatizing.  I hope you will join my fundraising team by donating to the AACR Runners for Research  for  the 2024 Blue Cross Broad Street Run.  Thank you for reading my abridged story and for donating to my team.