As I was thinking of what I was going to write today for
an update on my fundraising page, I looked at the date and realized
that in 6 days it marks my dad’s birthday. This will be the 3rd year we
won’t have ice cream birthday cake as we sing him happy birthday around
the kitchen table. And that makes my heart sad.
I
find myself a bit more upset than usual. I find myself extremely angry
that he is no longer here. I find myself looking for an outlet to
express these feelings, and the way that I know how, is by writing. So I
decided to remind myself, and all of you Why I train, Why I fundraise,
Why I choose to punch cancer in the face.
So here I have compiled my list of:
10 reasons why I choose to PUNCH CANCER IN THE FACE.
10. I have an amazing group of people fighting alongside me.
Through
Team in Training I have personally met hundreds of individuals sharing
my passion, my fire, my drive, my heart, my longing for a cure. They
fight for a cure alongside me. Cancer survivors, runners, fighters and
people who just want to make a difference.
9. Because I can.
I
have the voice to spread awareness. I have the words to write about my
journey and the journey of so many others. I have the ability to raise
funds for a cure. And I have working legs, that will go as many miles
possible, towards the ultimate finish line a CURE FOR CANCER.
8. To give someone else more days
Hearing
of lost of loved ones, days cut short, moments unable to be shared. It
breaks my heart. I punch cancer in the face, to provide more days for
those fighting the fight. More days for them and their loved ones to
cherish. More moments to be captured. More unforgettable moments to be
had. More lasting memories for them to make.
7. I know what I do makes a difference.
Raising
funds and awareness makes a difference. I know, with every fiber in me,
that we are doing good, and making a positive impact in the lives of
others. I will keep punching cancer in the face to continue making a
difference in the lives of those I know, and those I will never meet.
6. To inspire others
By
punching cancer in the face. By running. By training. By fundraising.
By spreading awareness. By sharing my connection to cancer... Who knows,
maybe I can inspire another. Maybe, my words can impact someone. Maybe
the story of my dads cancer journey and my journey alongside him can
touch someone else. Maybe, my actions can lead someone else on a journey
towards punching cancer in the face, as well.
5. To help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.
I've
seen first hand the lives saved by the money The Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society has raised. I do this for more success stories. For more
survivors. For a world with no more cancer.
4. I want to change this statistic: “Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every 10 minutes someone dies”
I
aim to change this statistic. That is far too many people being
diagnosed & far too many lives lost. I will keep fighting, keep
running, keep fundraising, keep pouring my heart into this until a CURE
is found.
3. With every day that passes my list of those I train for, grows longer. The length of the list needs to diminish.
Every
name I add to this list, I carry them with me. Every person that I
know, those that I don't. Stories that I hear about others. Every
honored teammate I have the privilege to meet. Every cancer jouney I
encounter. For every person I will not meet. They all hold a place in my
heart. Always. I won't stop until the writing of names stops.
2. Because CANCER SUCKS.
Obviously. It's an asshole. End of story.
1. Because not having made any new memories with my dad for the past 2 ½ years is absolutely heartbreaking.
All
I want is one more day, one more celebration, one more hug, one more
smile, one more laugh, one more moment. I’d give anything to do what he
loved, play golf. One more dad and daughter day at the driving range,
one more birthday round of golf, one more large bucket of golf balls
shared.
Let's PUNCH CANCER IN THE FACE together!
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