I'll be running the Western Mass Mother’s Day Half Marathon this May to raise funds for the Cancer Connection, in memory of my mother, Terry, who passed away in December after battling cancer.
When my mom was first diagnosed with cancer in 2015, she kind of marveled at how people kept telling her that she was strong. I was incredulous that she didn't realize what we all did: that she was the strongest person we knew.
She was physically strong - laboring day and night on the dairy farm, and completing difficult hikes like Mt. Washington whenever she could. She was mentally tough and unshakable in her morals. Emotionally, she was the rock for all of us. It was on her steadfast support and love that my sisters and I built our lives.
We'll need her to send us some of that strength as we tackle this half-marathon. It's an ambitious goal for us, and my mom would absolutely love that.
It's a fundraiser for the organization to which we owe so much: Cancer Connection. The nonprofit offers free wellness programs, therapies and other activities for those dealing with cancer as well as their families and caregivers, and my mom relied on it so much.
When she was first diagnosed, they helped her process what she was going through, connect with kindred spirits, and get the massages and other services that helped her feel better. When leaving the house for appointments became too taxing, a reiki practitioner even came to the house.
It makes me so happy to think that these donations could help another family just like mine, going through the hardest thing possible, do a little bit better.
Thank you!
WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon
This race is a fundraising benefit for Cancer Connection in Northampton, MA, which offers free services to people and their caregivers facing cancer in Western Mass.
Rachel is a young woman dealing with cancer who uses the aqua aerobics class at Cancer Connection. She said it's "a non-treatment way to also treat yourself. In that class I don't feel like a patient. And last fall, I was completely bald. I had no hair whatsoever. At the beginning of the class, I had eyebrows. Those were gone by the end of the class. It doesn't feel like treatment, but at the same time, it's still beneficial. I feel like that's what sets that class apart. It's also a very safe space. You're like, we all have the same thing in common. We don't even need to talk about it. We're in this world together and we're dealing with the same sort of crap, and it makes you feel comfortable."
With every $100 you raise, you've sustained another exercise class, support group or massage. Now through Mother's Day, you can help Rachel and make sure Cancer Connection is there for your family, friends and community when needed.
Cancer Connection emphasizes vitality and good times rather than isolation and illness. For more information about Cancer Connection, please call (413) 586-1642 or visit the website: www.cancer-connection.org and Facebook page: @cancerconnection413.
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.