Up until last week, I thought preparing for Oregon's 2018 Hood to Coast relay was the hardest thing I'd ever do (15.97 miles what?!). I've been preparing since January, but could never have been prepared for the news we received last Wednesday. My mom was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer - and I quickly realized running 16 miles was nothing.
As a little girl, my mom was always the first one I would look to when I felt hopelessness and fear, and she'd always comfort me (or tell me to "rub some dirt on it" if I was being dramatic!) - and nothing changed last Wednesday. When I saw her post-diagnosis, she had that same contagious smile and upbeat tone in her voice - I knew my mom was going to beat this. She has always been the rock of our family and even in her moment of despair, my mom was still that rock and that shoulder for our family to cry on. I've never met a stronger person in my life, and I will always thank God for making her my mom.
I'm starting this campaign to raise money for the Pink Lemonade Project because early detection saves lives. The Pink Lemonade Project educates, supports and empowers those affected by breast cancer. Each year 3,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Pacific Northwest alone (that's 70 women a week!). With more than 380 hours of mentoring and more than 560 social and educational events provided - I am fighting with the Pink Lemonade Project to educate more women on the importance of annual exams for early detection. And most importantly for the support they provide to those warriors battling. It's time we tell cancer to F*** off!
So on August 24-25 2018, my Hood to Coast relay team and I will run 199 miles for ALL the women diagnosed and fighting breast cancer and the absolute BADASSES who've already beat it. Just when we hit that hill on our 10th mile at 3:45 AM and are dead tired - we will rub some dirt on it for my angel mother. We won't stop until we cross that finish line - just like my mom.
We love you.
We fight with you.
And WE WILL WIN!
