WELCOME TO MY WMASS MOTHER’S DAY Half Marathon FUNDRAISING PAGE!
I don't normally do this but this time is different. I need your help to push me on this. This run is critical to me for so many reasons. Obviously the cancer connection but also I have done this race the last two years since moving to MA and it took the place of my Capitol City Half Marathon in Olympia WA every May. I think I did that race at least 5 times and it was such a motivational experience at all different stages - when I was in the best shape of my life, after the birth of my daughter, and after recovery from chemo and radiation. Upon moving here I found this race that is also in May but even more connected to me as it is on Mothers Day and raises funds for support of those going through cancer and their families.
This was also my last race before my headaches and subsequent brain tumor surgery and while I have tried to talk myself out of doing this one this year (since I am just starting back into running now) I am too stubborn to talk my own self out of it! I did three miles at 12 min per mile pace so there will be a lot of walking but it is all mental right? :) So I know that money is tight for many so don't feel you need to give but knowing that you know and that you are rooting for me will help force me to prepare! The race will take care of itself but honestly I am having trouble pushing myself to the gym and to train which is what prompted me to do this as a fundraiser as opposed to just pay the entry fee. I need to be accountable to all of you and know that every time I talk myself out of the gym you are all staring me in the face with signs "turn around". This is a powerful race for me as a mother, as a cancer patient, and ultimately to show to Hanna that my way to strength is through running and that staying true to yourself is absolutely necessary even if it requires stubbornness from time to time. And that to achieve your goals you may need help from others and that makes you stronger not weaker. I am hoping she will be able to link up with me to run my last half mile or so. That would be so meaningful for me. So I now consider myself accountable to you all and it will push me to get this!
Thank you!
Below is the general information write up:
On May 14, I will run the Western Mass Mother’s Day Half Marathon with the purpose of raising critical funds and awareness to help those dealing with cancer!
It takes more than one person to make up a team and that’s why I’m asking you to join my cancer fighting team through your tax deductible donation.
By participating as a fundraiser for Cancer Connection, I am raising funds to help fund wellness programs and therapies for those dealing with cancer as well as their families & caregivers.
Your donation will help fund treatments that impact lives every day; like yoga, reiki, water aerobics, knitting, as well as many support groups. You may not know it, but every single donation helps provide these services free of charge to local community members.
Please make a donation in support of my efforts for Cancer Connection and help us be able to offer more wellness services to our community members.
Honor the angels, support the heroes. Thank you!
WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon
This race is a fundraising benefit for Cancer Connection in Northampton, MA.
Cancer
Connection offers a haven where people living with cancer, their families and
their caregivers can learn how to cope with their changed lives and bodies and
emotional turmoil by sharing strategies and resources. All of our offerings are
free of charge. There is much to be gained from learning to team with the
medical system and draw on our own strengths, a constellation of integrative
therapies, and the wisdom of our peers who have traveled the same road before
us.
Cancer
Connection is at heart a living room, a place to find kindness, understanding,
energy, laughter and respite. Our homelike, handicap-accessible center is
located at 41 Locust Street (Route 9) in Northampton. We invite you to come in
to talk with a staff member or a trained volunteer for help sorting out
priorities, medical questions, family, work or legal issues. Although we can
offer referrals and information, our goal is to give you time… time to figure
out what it is that is most complicating in your life because of the cancer and
to help you find ways to unravel the knots.
Since
its founding in 2000 by Deb Orgera and Jackie Walker, Cancer Connection has
dedicated itself to creating a creative environment emphasizing vitality and
good times rather than isolation and illness. We are able to offer our services
free of charge, thanks to the generosity of the individuals, corporations and races
like this that support our work.
At our center on Locust Street in Northampton, people living with cancer, their families and caregivers can meet one-on-one in a comforting and welcoming environment with staff or volunteers. We also host support groups that offer coping strategies and emotional support. Other services include integrative therapies (Reiki, reflexology, acupuncture, massage and guided imagery), programs and workshops including creative arts and exercise classes that focus on relieving physical and emotional stress and building physical and emotional strength.
Cancer Connection offers programs and support free of charge for men, women and children living with a cancer diagnosis, their families and friends. You are welcome to attend as many programs as you would like, based on space availability. We offer additional classes and workshops in the spring and fall. You can call our center and ask to be added to the mailing list for our next program guide.
Priority for our programs is given to those currently in treatment along with their family and caregivers. All programs, unless noted, are held at Cancer Connection:
41 Locust Street in Northampton, MA.
Many classes can accept new participants, even if the class has already started. Call today to ask about joining!
Visit our website, http://cancer-connection.org/programs, for a listing of current programs or call our office and we can mail you our current program guide.