Hello All!
As some of you may already know, throughout the pandemic walking had become my daily go-to for many reasons. Sometimes it was for fresh air, time outside of our house, a way to relieve stress, or a form of exercise. What started as just short neighborhood walks with my 4 boys to keep me company during remote learning eventually became "me time" with their return to school. My walks have become much longer and more frequent with the occasional stroller to push along the way. I also got a FitBit and then a Garmin Watch during this time and found out that on average, I walk between 8 and 12 miles a day...and sometimes that's without even leaving our house or the neighborhood! Also during this time, I was living through making some of the hardest decisions of my life. This included being at high risk for Breast Cancer and choosing to have a double mastectomy followed by several breast reconstruction surgeries. During all of my recoveries from surgeries which included weeks of no lifting, pushing or pulling, walking has been about the only thing I could continuously do without hesitation or concern of injuring myself. Raising awareness for Breast Cancer has always been a passion of mine, whether it be through Breast Cancer walks, dying my hair pink, having my boys wear pink ribbon socks during the month of October for their sports, initiating for our schools to do a pink day and donate to a local organization (goPINK+), or donating to national foundations. When I started to become more in tune to Breast Cancer Awareness in my early 20s, I would often think of my Bubbie, who was a 50+ year survivor of Breast Cancer. I never imagined that in my lifetime, my mom would become a Breast Cancer survivor and that I would take precautions to not get Breast Cancer and become a previvor. Now more than ever, I continue to want to contribute to the cause of Breast Cancer and support those that have Breast Cancer in some way. I have finally found the best fit for me to do that at this time. I completed my first walk in May 2023 which was a 9 mile walk and I raised over $1600 for Cancer Connection.
In October 2023, I participated in the TBBCF's 18th Walk for a Cure Half Marathon. I was not a runner, but I walked 13.1 miles. I've been actively training towards participating in the 2024 WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon by being a 9 mile walker for Cancer Connection.
Thank you so much for your support. I'm excited to join this incredible initiative! Cancer Connection's intiative is very important to me and I'm proud to help them make a difference. Please support me by giving to my page. Every dollar raised goes directly to breast cancer research! Every dollar counts! Thank you.
WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon
The WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon has been supporting Cancer Connection for 14 years! .
This race is one of extremely FEW that operate on donation. Race expenses are kept to a minimum, yet we try to make the runners' experience top-notch. This race has a vibe of gratitude, appreciation and so much love. Not only are runners happy to run, volunteers are happy to help and cancer-warriors are happy to benefit from the free services provided by Cancer Connection.
It is truly The BEST half in Western Mass! This race makes an impact!
Cancer Connection provides a haven where people with cancer and their loved ones can learn how to navigate the difficulties of cancer through FREE one-to-one guidance, education, peer support, integrative therapies and exercise and creative programs.