My connection with cancer, Lymphoma in particular, is my sister, Annette, and here is our story and why I want to run in her honour.
In 2007, when I was 43 years old, my life
was brought to a
crashing halt by Lyme disease. A once
active mother of two and
athlete, I was reduced to a near invalid by
the disease. My
sister, Annette, being an Occupational
Therapist, supported me
throughout my long, three year battle to
regain my health and
mobility. During this time, needing a focus
to get better, I set
myself the goal of running the NYC
marathon, (at this stage the
furthest I'd ever run was a 10k). I wanted
to run not only for
myself, but to give hope to others
with the disease that they
might also get well again. In October of
2010, as I was preparing
to run my first ever marathon, my beloved
sister was diagnosed
with Lymphoma. I wanted her to cancel her
plans to accompany me
to NYC and to start treatment immediately.
She refused, insisting
she wanted to be by my side as I took on
what seemed like a
daunting task - I even saw her
at mile 8 on the day which was
like a pure tonic. After NYC, my sister
started treatment. Her
journey has been long and her battle has
been fought with
courage, dignity and composure. She will
never be "cured" but she
is in remission at present.
When I was very ill with Lyme disease, I
wanted to die. However,
this year I am turning 50 and I want to
celebrate this by giving
back to others who have helped me so much
along the way. I want
to recognize my sister and all she has done
for me and given me;
hope, courage, inspiration and literally
saved my life. I'd like
to do this by running in her honour. It is
time for me to do
something to help save other lives and give
back to a community
that my sister now belongs to.
