Do you have a friend or family member who has fought for his or her life due to being diagnosed with cancer?  I have and am pretty sure that you have also.  I never met one of my grandmothers.  Both of my grandfathers fought and survived battles with cancer.  One of my dear great aunts was taken too soon.  And one of my brothers is a survivor of multiple cancer diagnoses.

Most recently, I witnessed the heart breaking fight that my mother-in-law lost to cancer.  Literally, just hours before her passing last year, I was able to join my husband and his family to be by her side.  I was told that she'd asked where I was earlier in the day, but by the time I'd made my travels to her, she was no longer able to speak.  She was truly a strong woman, who never complained and was always sweet, kind and loving to me.  She never made me feel like just an "in-law", but instead, she embraced me into the family from day one.  I sat at her bedside telling her that all her children were with her and softly reminded her of all the many laughter-filled good times we all shared.  I held her hand, gave her little kisses on her cheeks and pinned the "Comfort & Peace" angel pin to a bedside pillow that she'd sent to me several years prior when I'd been home sick.  I tried not to shed tears in those last hours, but rather tried to provide strength and comfort with long hugs and reassuring words to my husband and his family.  It was a devastating loss when she left us, but we all carry her in our hearts.  

I want to help prevent the pain that a cancer diagnosis and the loss of a loved one can produce.  This is why I've joined the American Cancer Society DetermiNation Team, and I hope that you will help me raise funds to honor those fighting and to remember those who have passed!  

The strength and courage that it takes to cope with a cancer diagnosis, let alone the treatment they endure, are a couple motivators I will keep with me while I take on the challenge of training for and running the Rock N Roll Savannah Half Marathon.  I know that any fatigue, soreness or discomfort that I will experience while logging miles is NOTHING compared to what a cancer victim endures.  I am not a natural runner, but I have learned to embrace my "sLOw Lo" pace that will get me through the miles ahead.  I plan on giving it my ALL during training, and will put one foot in front of the other, until I cross that finish line on race day!      

Running and fundraising are things I can do that will help give HOPE to those fighting for their lives.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to take on this challenge.  I am embracing it in memory of those that you and I have lost and in honor of those who survive and are fighting for their lives!  

Any donation you are able to make to join me in this fight is truly appreciated!  Much love!