12 years ago I began participating in the Run for the Cure. My mom Cathy was diagnosed with breast cancer and she was fighting. I wanted to fight with her. The treatment available, the support systems in place and everyone fighting with her got her through that battle and she won. She became a "Survivor". She started participating in the Run for the Cure too, every year.

In July of 2019, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer. The doctors said she was terminal, but she chose to fight anyways. Chemotherapy, alternative treatments, diet changes and prayer led to regression of the disease in the fall of 2019. In early 2020 however, the disease was growing again. So she kept fighting, doubling down on her treatments and adding radiation therapy. On April 12, complications with the disease led to her being admitted to the hospital, in the midst of a pandemic. She was told she didn’t have much time left. She spent two and a half weeks in the hospital, with no visitors allowed, and she fought like hell to get well enough to go home, to see and hold her family again. On April 29, she was discharged from the hospital and spent the next 24 days at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She could finally stop fighting and she could rest. On May 23, 2020 at the age of 64, the Lord called her home and gave her peace.

My mom was a fighter, and I vow to continue fighting in honor of her. Cancer touches the lives of so many people. Today, I think it touches the lives of everyone, one way or another. My hope is one day, cancer will be beaten. And if we can find a cure for one cancer, I know that will lead to a cure for others. 

Thank you for your support. Please remember my mom as a beacon of light and hope for others who are still fighting.