Ashley Runs For A Cure

I'm Off...

2010-04-19T05:16:00.003-04:00

Today when I leave for Hopkinton, I will be wearing my Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge singlet. On the back of my singlet are the names of three people whose battles with cancer remind me of what race I am really running in today. I run to honor the memory of my Aunt Nancy. I know that although she lost her battle, she would be proud to know that I am doing what I can in hopes that others may be cured. I run in honor of Grammie. She is the strength that holds my family together, and the bravest grandmother around. I run in honor of Brandon. I know that no one in their entire lifetime should have to face what Brandon faced in his childhood.

Running a marathon is hard. Fighting cancer is harder.

As I have said before, the battles these three individuals have fought, with cancer are not unique ones. Cancer attacks everyone around us – parents, loved ones, siblings, and children. The back of my friend Kristan’s singlet last year said “In Honor of Too Many.” Like Kristan, unfortunately there is not enough room on our singlets for the names of every person that we know touched by cancer. In addition to running in honor of the people on the back of our singlets, I also running in honor of all of your loved ones who are currently battling, have battled, or have unfortunately lost their fight to cancer.

And so with that, I am off to run in the Boston Marathon. See you at the finish line.

Tomorrow.

2010-04-18T20:35:00.003-04:00

Today I went to the DFMC pasta party with my family. Both Brandon, his mother, and his sister and brother also attended, and it could not have made me happier. The program was incredible, and included speakers Uta Pippig, first woman to win 3 consecutive Boston Marathons, and Jack Fultz, my amazing coach and 1976 winner of the Boston Marathon. There was an "in memoriam" slideshow of all of the brave children of the Jimmy Fund clinic who unfortunately lost their battle to cancer. Although it was an extremely emotional portion of the program, the most amazing part was going on stage with Brandon and all of the other individuals in the patient partner program. It was quite an inspirational moment to be in front of everyone with my 4-year-old hero. Brandon has overcome far too many obstacles, more difficult than any 26.2 miles.

I am having a difficult time trying to express my feelings and emotions 13 hours before I cross the starting line of my second Boston Marathon. I am extremely humbled, overwhelmed, excited, nervous, yet feeling entirely fortunate to be apart of such an incredible experience. My teammates are my heros; each and every one of them. Running a marathon for such a wonderful cause is a selfless act, and I am lucky to be associated with these individuals.

I will have to blog before I leave at 5:30 AM, since I am simply unable to write much right now. I am inspired, motivated, and determined to finish the Boston Marathon tomorrow. This is the most incredible feeling.....

And in the words of my incredible coach, Jack Fultz, "the hay is in the barn."

See you all tomorrow!

5 Days.

2010-04-14T00:29:00.008-04:00

It is hard to believe that in five short days, I will be running my second Boston Marathon. As a child, I never considered this a possiblity. Year after year, I watched with amazement as each runner passed me by. I always dreamt of achieving such a goal, but knew this was miles and miles away from any reality.

I like a good challenge, and I will not give up until I accomplish any goal that has been set. When I stood anxiously at the starting line last year, I knew I would make it to the end. It did not matter what needed to happen in between, as long as I reached my goal; as long as I ran the 26.2 miles.

And so I find myself five days away from standing at the starting line for yet the second time. I do not know what will happen in between. Life is unpredictable, as is any marathon. But I do know that I will make it to the finish line.

Left foot. Right foot. Repeat.

One Week.

2010-04-12T21:25:00.006-04:00

ONE week to go until Boston! As I count down the days, I will be thinking about the 26.2 reasons why I am running.

"The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed."

-- Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon winner

Counting Down.

2010-04-10T14:43:00.002-04:00

9 days to go until the big day!

The Finished Product.

2010-04-08T18:19:00.009-04:00

I am so thrilled with how beautiful my singlet turned out! It is such an honor to display the names of these three inspirational people. I will be wearing their names proudly on the upcoming special day.

Two Weeks To Go.

2010-04-05T10:06:00.005-04:00

Two weeks from today, I will be setting out on my 26.2 mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston. Nothing is easy about this being my second marathon. In fact, I find aspects of the training and mental preparations to be more stressful. Last year my training was quite difficult as a result of my injury. I had been diagnosed with iliotibial band syndrome, better known as ITBS. In short, it involves the band of tissues that run from the outside of the pelvis to just below the knee. The pain was a result of the continuous rubbing of the band against the femur during running, which ultimately caused inflammation. Although I prepared for the marathon last year to the best of my ability with this injury by icing, stretching, rolling out my leg, and attending physical therapy, I am currently faced with the same ITB issue today.

The discomfort I am experiencing is what I felt last year with four months to still train and nurture my injury. With only two weeks to go, it is safe to say I am extremely nervous and frustrated. I believe my frustrations with this injury stem from the fact that I am certainly not running this marathon for myself. In fact, I never was a huge fan of running. Swimming was always my main gig, but do not get me wrong, I have grown to enjoy certain aspects of running. I can best attribute this enjoyment to the simple fact that I am running this marathon for cancer.

During the marathon last year, I would pass bystanders who would actually thank me for what I was doing. I did not find my running to be anything exceptional and worth thanking me for, but with each occurrence, I was overcome with emotion. When you are running 26.2 miles, there is much time to think about absolutely anything and everything. I thought about the fact that each of these bystanders have been directly affected by cancer, whether it be someone they knew who fought it, or someone who has unfortunately lost their battle. So when I say I am running this marathon for cancer, it is for absolutely everyone.

So as I said earlier, my second marathon is not any easier. Of course my injury has provided with setbacks in my training and focus, but this is something I can handle. It is merely based on the difficult fact that there are more people this year than last that have been diagnosed with cancer or who have lost their battle. I am running for all of these incredibly brave people.

Running a marathon is hard. Fighting cancer is harder.

In just two short weeks, I will set out on my journey to reach the ultimate finish line: A World Without Cancer.

Another Reason Why I Run.

2010-03-15T20:13:00.004-04:00

I am running in honor of my incredibly brave new friend, Brandon. This amazing 4-year-old boy is in remission from anaplastic large cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

I met Brandon through the Patient Partner program, which matches Dana-Farber runners with patients at the Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic. The partners meet numerous times throughout the season for planned activities, such as the "Meet Your Match" and poster decorating parties. On marathon weekend at the DFMC pasta party, both my family and Brandon's will come together to celebrate the anticipating marathon. On marathon Monday when I reach the 25-mile mark near Kenmore Square, I will be greeted by Brandon, his family, and all of the incredible children in the partner program.

With only 5 short weeks to go, I am cherishing every moment of this experience. I am extremely proud and humbled to be running in honor of this courageous young boy. He gives me the strength, determination, and courage I need to get me through 26.2 miles.

Three Years Later.

2010-02-12T08:21:00.007-05:00

Three years ago today I got the phone call that I knew was coming. It was from my father telling me that my Auntie Nancy had passed. Prior to this phone call, two days before, both Lindsey and I went to see Auntie Nancy for what was our last time. Although some family members were hesitant about us doing this, we knew in our hearts how important this was. Nobody can prepare you for the moment you have to say goodbye to someone for the very last time. For me, this was the most difficult experience of my life, but when looking back, I realize how important it was in getting me to the point I am at today.

Today, I have the courage, determination, and strength I need to get me through each day, and I thank Auntie Nancy for this. By all means, I am not saying that there is no struggle involved, because there is. It still hurts to go through milestones and experiences without her there. When I most recently passed my exam and became a nurse, I immediately wanted to pick up the phone to tell her. She was always so proud of her "niece the nurse" and I can easily attribute much of my success to her. Having Auntie Nancy in my daily thoughts has provided me the constant motivation I needed to accomplished my goal of becoming a nurse. Although I still struggle at times facing the reality that she is physically absent, one thing remains certain. The courage, determination, and strength she provided me with has allowed me to work towards another very important goal.

The goal is to run 26.2 miles in honor of the extraordinary person that Auntie Nancy was and the incredible legacy she left. I have gone into the marathon training experience with an open mind, knowing that I will have my good runs and my bad runs, but at the end of the day, I know where my motivation comes from. It comes from my role model, my second mom, and my friend. It comes from my Auntie Nancy, with whom has provided me with everything I need to reach the ultimate finish line: A World Without Cancer.

I miss you more and more each day, but I know you are always watching over me. I love you.

Yet Another Reason...

2010-02-01T22:59:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, a dear professor of mine passed away after a long and courageous battle with colon cancer. Eileen Hayes was a nursing professor during my final semester at UMass. She took a leave of absence halfway through the semester to focus entirely on her treatment and to get well. I have an email from Eileen that she sent to my nursing class, discussing her condition, treatment, and outlook on the future. Despite the difficult and unimaginable battle she was fighting, Eileen always remained positive.

From the moment I met Eileen, I knew there was something special about the extraordinary individual she was. She was genuine. Compassionate. Kind-hearted. Eileen mentored and inspired her students and always brought out the best in every individual she came in contact with. She was a beloved and highly respected teacher, and I will forever be grateful for the relationship I had with her.

In the email Eileen sent, she shared with us an Irish blessing that was important to her, and in memory of this remarkable woman, I would like to share it with everyone as well.

An Irish Blessing

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Thank you for opening up your heart, sharing your smile, and teaching me the importance of being a compassionate and competent nurse. You will forever be an inspiration and will never be forgotten.

Another reason why I run....

Let Me Catch You Up To Speed

2010-01-28T10:27:00.008-05:00

I know, I know. It's been a while. Life has been crazy, but so good to me. Not only did I pass my boards and am now a Registered Nurse, but my training is going great! When I look back on where my training was at this time last year, I was working entirely on the Arc trainer, and doing little to no running. My ITB (iliotibial band) injury was at its absolute worst and I was constantly discouraged, with a fear of the condition I would be in on race day.

This past Saturday I ran 8 miles like it was nothing. The true measure of success was based on how I felt the next day. Typically, I am sore, but there is usually a vast majority of pain and discomfort around my right knee. On Sunday, my quads hurt. My hamstrings hurt. Even my abdominals hurt, but my knee did not hurt! I am training smart, and not pushing myself to a point where I know I could cause major discomfort. I am getting all of my miles in and listening to my body. I will continue to keep my fingers crossed in hopes that these next months of training will continue to be successful and injury-free.

After my long run tomorrow, I will be meeting my 3-year-old patient partner for the first time at the DFMC Match Party! Not only am I looking forward to the ice cream sundae bar (obviously), but I truly feel lucky to have the opportunity to work closely with a patient in the Jimmy Fund Clinic. I am looking forward to writing about and sharing my experience with everyone tomorrow!

So until then, stay warm and have a wonderful day!

Why I Am Running 26.2 Miles...Again

2009-10-26T12:40:00.025-04:00

I am running 26.2 miles in memory of my Aunt Nancy Wolfson, who lost her five-year long battle with ovarian and endometrial cancer in February 2007. Although my Auntie Nancy never married, she always considered me, my sister Lindsey, and my cousins Sara and Amanda as her own children. She was a role model, a second mom, a friend and a fighter. Of all the very important lessons that Auntie Nancy taught me, the most important one was how precious family is. With that, I learned that other things may change us in our lives, but we start and end with family. Auntie Nancy showed me how to love unconditionally and to each day remind the people in my life how much I love them and how much they mean to me.

I am also running in honor of my grandmother, Marion Wolfson, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2009. Fortunately, her cancer was found early, and with a positive outlook on the future, I am very thankful. My Grammie lives life a day at a time with both courage and determination, which are the same traits she passed on to my Auntie Nancy. Her genuine character displays a constant love for life and for everyone around her. Grammie is a kind-hearted, compassionate and strong individual, and most importantly, a very special grandmother.

My Auntie Nancy fought her battle with cancer until the very end. I am running in memory of the extraordinary person that she was and the incredible legacy she left. I do not know if I would have had as much time with my Auntie Nancy after her diagnosis if it were not for the Dana-Farber Cancer Insitute in Boston. For many reasons, especially this one, I am running with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team to raise money for the Claudia Adams Barr Program for Innovative Cancer Research. This is the same research that provided my Auntie Nancy with experimental treatments throughout her battle with her disease.

Neither of these stories about cancer are unique ones. Cancer attacks everyone around us – parents, loved ones, siblings, and children. In addition to running in memory of my Auntie Nancy and honor of Grammie, I am also running in honor of all your loved ones who are currently battling, have battled, or have unfortunately lost their fight to cancer.

I know many of you questioned my sanity last year for running 26.2 miles, and are wondering why I have decided to partake in this journey again. I know I will be faced with five months of crazy weather conditions, aching body parts, and feelings of uncertainty. But I also know what brought me to this point - Grammie and Auntie Nancy's love, determination and courage, and my goal to reach the the ultimate finish line: A World Without Cancer.

It's Official!

2009-10-10T14:14:00.007-04:00

I finally received the email that I was hoping for any day now, saying:

"You've been accepted to the Dana-Faber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) team in the 2010 Boston Marathon!"

Such great news. Such a great cause.

I DID IT!

2009-04-22T22:02:00.002-04:00

I DID IT! I RAN MY FIRST MARATHON. EVERYONE SAYS THAT YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST MARATHON....

.....WELL THEY WERE RIGHT!

I'm Off....

2009-04-20T05:31:00.002-04:00

Today when I leave for Hopkinton, I will be wearing my Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge singlet. On the back of my singlet are the names of two people whose battles with cancer remind me of what race I am really running in today. I run to honor the memory of my Aunt Nancy. I know that although she lost her battle, she would be proud to know that I am doing what I can in hopes that others may be cured. I run in honor of Jaden Cabrera. I know that no one in their entire lifetime should have to face what Jaden faced in his childhood.

Running a marathon is hard. Fighting cancer is harder.

As I have said before, the battles these two individuals have fought, with cancer are not unique ones. Cancer attacks everyone around us – parents, loved ones, siblings, and children. The back of my friend Kristan’s singlet says “In Honor of Too Many.” Like Kristan, unfortunately there is not enough room on our singlets for the names of every person that we know touched by cancer. In addition to running in honor of the people on the back of our singlets, I also running in honor of all of your loved ones who are currently battling, have battled, or have unfortunately lost their fight to cancer.

And so with that, I am off to run in my first marathon EVER. See you at the finish line.

This Is It.

2009-04-19T22:28:00.002-04:00

I am having a hard time figuring out what I want to say in this blog, considering my thoughts are all over the place.

In less than 12 hours I will be off and running in my first marathon, EVER. I have heard from many veteran runners that they constantly find themselves jealous of first time marathoners when they get to the starting line. Only once in your lifetime can you say that you are running your first marathon, and I am overcome with emotion when thinking about this.

One Step At A Time

2009-04-15T20:43:00.004-04:00

My wonderful DFMC teammate, Tyler gave me great advice to think about as I journey through 26.2 miles on Monday.

Left foot. Right foot. Repeat.

4/20

2009-04-15T14:08:00.000-04:00

4 Days, 20 Hours, 20 Minutes, 40 seconds until April 20th.

A Shoutout From My Cousin Eric.

2009-04-13T22:56:00.009-04:00

Our amazing cousin Eric gave me and my sister a great shout out here!

This summer, Eric will be riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge. The PMC raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The PMC mission is to provide Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers. If you want another good reason to support Dana-Farber research, Eric gives you a good one here.

I will have the support of my cousins Eric & Liz, and their incredible kids Cole and Tess at the 10k mark in Natick.

This time next week, I will be celebrating with my DFMC teammates our amazing accomplishment of completing the Boston Marathon. I realize I should not jinx myself by talking about finishing when I have not even crossed the starting line, but with the amount of inspiration and motivation I have, 26.2 miles will be a cake walk next Monday!

DONATE!

Almost There....

2009-04-12T20:49:00.003-04:00

Today I am feeling inspired and determined. Please help support me as I am only one week away from my FIRST marathon!

Donating is just one click away!

Mapping It Out

2009-04-08T23:55:00.003-04:00

HOPKINTON - ASHLAND - FRAMINGHAM - NATICK - WELLESLEY- NEWTON - BROOKLINE - BOSTON

Mind Over Matter

2009-04-06T21:22:00.031-04:00

Today I find myself confronting all of the crazy emotions that have been running through my head. I believe that reality has truly set in about the fact that in two weeks I will be running my first marathon. Back in October, I struggled with the idea of running 13.1 miles, and now that these months of training have flown by, I am once again confronted with the same emotions. This time, though, I am trying to grasp the fact that it is not 13.1 miles. Who is crazy enough to run 26.2 miles? I guess I am.

The main emotion I feel is uncertainty due to the fact I have been training with a silly injury. How did fluid get into my knee anyway? I can not explain how strong the pain can get, but this is something I have learned to deal with with the assistance of my incredible physical therapist. I make sure that I perform specific stretches and ice my knee on an everyday basis. And we can not forget my dear friend Ibuprofen, for if it were not for this incredible medication, training would be far more difficult.

I am nervous. I am eager. I am exhausted. Above all, I am determined to get to the starting line in the best shape I can. I have been working towards getting my legs strong enough to get me through the race. It is a fear of the unknown that has honestly been getting to me lately. I am concerned that I will begin to feel pain in my knee somewhere between miles 5 and 7, but it could work out different. As a result of an extreme adrenaline rush I will surely experience, I may not even feel the pain, which I am truly hoping will be the case.

"Mind over matter. Mind over matter." These words play in my head every day and I know will continue to do so throughout the marathon. I realize that willpower can overcome any physical obstacle you may be confronted with. When you have an important goal, but have an obstacle in your way, it is imperative to not let yourself down and overcome, overcome, overcome!

I remember last year I would give my sister, Lindsey a hard time, ALL the time. She would talk about the marathon constantly, and if we happened to get off topic, something about the marathon would manage to sneak its way back into the conversation. It was crazy to me then, but now, I truly understand why she did this. The marathon has completely taken over my life. It is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep. The reason for this is because I am so proud. Every year since I was little I would go watch the marathon with my Mom, Dad, and Linds. It became a tradition to watch it in the same spot in Wellesley, and soon enough my grandmothers, aunts, and cousins were in on it too. I never quite understood why people chose to run such an insane amount of miles, but even when I knew this, I always wanted to be one of those crazy people. I always wanted the historic Boston Marathon written in my book of accomplishments, so I could look back and say, "yeah, I ran Boston. What did you do"?

The amount of motivation I have to get myself through to the finish line continues to amaze me. I can not help but think about my Auntie Nancy, who has given me the courage, strength, and determination to get me through these months of training. Aside from Auntie Nancy, my inspiration also comes from my 6-year-old Patient Partner, Jaden Cabrera. He instantly stole my heart from the minute I met him. Jaden was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, an uncommon type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma that commonly affects children. Today, Jaden is in remission. During my miles of training, I think about this enthusiastic and warm individual who gives off such incredible energy. I admire Jaden's strength and bravery, knowing that he has been through far too much as a child. At the end of the day, Jaden still has that beautiful smile on his face, which makes this journey for me all the more worthwhile. I am extremely proud and humbled to be running in honor of this courageous young boy. He too gives me the strength, determination, and courage I need to get me through 26.2 miles. Knowing that Jaden, his mother and father Jenny and Jose, and his sister, Talia will be at the mile 25 marker, will get me through to that point. Seeing all of the other Patient Partners and Dana-Farber cheering teams will also motivate me to get to the finish line.

Although I am nervous, eager, and exhausted, I am also strong-willed, and to be honest, this is what I need to accomplish my goal. In 13 days I will face the biggest challenge of my life, and I am ready for this. This marathon means EVERYTHING to me. For all of my friends and family that have shared in this training experience with me, I want to make them proud. I want to represent Dana-Farber in a proper, well-deserving light. The institute provides treatment, hope, and love to individuals in need. Most importantly, I want to make Auntie Nancy and Jaden proud, since these two individuals have motivated me to reach the ultimate finish line: A World Without Cancer.

Commitment Is Everything.

2009-03-26T17:51:00.003-04:00

"Commitment to the body machine. It was as critical as the commitment to the goal itself."

- Richard Christian Matheson, "Third Wind"

Counting Down....

2009-03-24T23:36:00.002-04:00

26 days. 26 miles.

Life Is Good.

2009-03-16T11:44:00.005-04:00

Nothing but good news! The MRI results showed that I have fluid under my right knee, but this is something I can handle with the aid of physical therapy. Only five more weeks. Life is good.

The Waiting Game....

2009-03-13T13:14:00.005-04:00

As I sit here and wait for my MRI results to tell me the diagnosis of my knee injury, I can not help but focus on the many countless thoughts that are running through my head. I ask myself everyday what it is that I want to accomplish in these next months. It is easy; I want to pass my nursing boards and I want to run the marathon. I am not giving myself a choice on either of these, since I WILL accomplish both. It is hard for me to explain how difficult this setback has been. I have dedicated myself to an incredible training schedule, and it is now the daily, constant focus of my life and I would not want it any other way. As I sit here and wait, with these endless thoughts running through my head, one thought stands out above the rest. I am running the Boston Marathon in 37 days, 21 hours, 7 minutes and 17 seconds. But hey, who is really counting?

Where There Is A Will....

2009-02-26T13:07:00.004-05:00

- Jacqueline Gareau

Another Reason Why I Am Running....

2009-02-13T00:08:00.005-05:00

....the incredible Jaden Cabrera!

Two Years Later.

2009-02-12T23:01:00.015-05:00

Two years ago today I got the phone call that I knew was coming. It was from my father telling me that my Auntie Nancy had passed. Prior to this phone call, two days before, both Lindsey and I went to see Auntie Nancy for what was our last time. Although some family members were hesitant about us doing this, we knew in our hearts how important this was. Nobody can prepare you for the moment you have to say goodbye to someone for the very last time. For me, this was the most difficult experience of my life, but when looking back, I realize how important it was in getting me to the point I am at today.

Today, I have the courage, determination, and strength I need to get me through each day, and I thank Auntie Nancy for this. By all means, I am not saying that there is no struggle involved, because there is. It still hurts to go through milestones and experiences without her there. Sometimes I want to pick up the phone to tell her exciting news or to have one of our ridiculous conversations, but then reality sets in. Although I still struggle at times facing this reality, one thing remains certain. The courage, determination, and strength she provided me with has allowed me to work towards one very important goal.

I am missing you today, and everyday, but I know you are always watching over me. I love you.

As We Approach A New Year

2008-12-31T16:49:00.006-05:00

As I approach a new year, I look back upon what 2008 had to offer me. The ups stand out more than the downs, and I know that the special people I have in my life have given me many positive experiences. I am extremely fortunate to have such incredible family and friends in my life.

A very close friend of mine lost his father to cancer this morning. There are really no words to offer someone when they are going through such an experience. I know that is how I felt when my Auntie Nancy passed away. What I can offer to this amazing friend of mine is that I will be there for him at all times for him to cry to, talk to, and sit in silence with. All that this individual did for his father during such a difficult time is unbelievable to me. He put all of his time, energy, support, and love into his father's constant care. His strength carried him to today, and although he continues to display this strength and bravery, I know how much he is hurting. He is a true inspiration to me.

As I go into a new year, I appreciate all the individuals in my life that have made a difference, such as this person in particular. The experiences that people close to me have gone through this past year is slowly, but surely giving me the strength and courage to train for the marathon. I am going to run the marathon in memory of my friend's father who lost his heroic battle today and go into a new year with my thoughts and prayers going out to this incredible family, offering them peace, love and hope for this upcoming year.

Why I Am Running 26.2 Miles

2008-12-21T19:23:00.017-05:00

It is simple. I am running 26.2 miles in memory of my Aunt Nancy Wolfson, who lost her five-year long battle with ovarian and endometrial cancer in February 2007. Although my Auntie Nancy never married, she always considered me, my sister Lindsey, and my cousins Sara and Amanda as her own children. She was a role model, a second mom, a friend and a fighter. She taught me how important it is to live life a day at a time with both courage and determination. Of all the very important lessons that Auntie Nancy taught me, the most important one was how precious family is. I learned that other things may change us in our lives, but we start and end with family. Auntie Nancy showed me how to love unconditionally and to each day remind the people in my life how much I love them and how much they mean to me.

My Auntie Nancy fought her battle with cancer until the very end. I am running in memory of the extraordinary person that she was and the incredible legacy she left. I do not know if I would have had as much time with my Auntie Nancy after her diagnosis if it were not for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. For many reasons, especially this one, I am running with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team, raising money for the Claudia Adams Barr Program for Innovative Cancer Research. This is the same research that provided my Auntie Nancy with experimental treatments throughout her battle with her disease.

During these next four months of training, I know I will be faced with crazy weather conditions, aching body parts, and feelings of uncertainty. In fact, I know you will all be questioning my sanity. But, I will just keep reminding myself of what brought me to this point - my Auntie Nancy's laugh, smile, and love, and my goal to reach the ultimate finish line: A World Without Cancer.

It is simple.