My brother-in-law, James (Jamie) Hanna, had always been a dear friend. Always greeting me with a smile, always having a funny quip to share, I always looked forward to my times with Jamie. We would talk earnestly about each other's lives and he was always genuinely interested in what was happening in my world, even though it was miles from his (architecture vs. music). Stranded at the Atlanta airport, due to Delta's issues in May of last year, Laura called saying Jamie wanted to drive out to meet for lunch to see his "favorite brother-in-law." I so regret that we had already gotten to our gate and couldn't make a quick meet, but that was Jamie... always willing to do what it took to reconnect.

When I found out about Jamie's condition in November, I didn't hesitate, as I knew I had to see my "favorite brother-in-law," and drove to Atlanta to offer support and be with Jamie, Laura, Auguste and Sterling. He was still the chipper Jamie I had always known when I arrived... still making us laugh and sharing his earnest reflections of life.

To see this disease ravage Jamie so fast and so relentlessly made me numb...and so incredibly sad. I discovered that melanoma has been a difficult disease for researchers to figure out and needs much more dedicated research to curtail.

When I found out that Jamie had already committed to the Eugene 1/2 Marathon, I knew what I had to do. I am honored to say that I will be running with Jamie's race number on April 27... OK, maybe not "running" the entire time, but I WILL finish and I WILL be participating to raise funds that will go directly to Melanoma Research.

You may have seen it already, but I think it is important to share my sister's (Laura Moore) story as well:

Last year my running buddies and I committed to running the 2025 Eugene marathon. My husband, Jim (aka, Jamie) had accompanied me on several of these trips, serving as chief race-day driver and cheerer. This time he decided to train to run the half marathon in Eugene, and he submitted his registration in August. Jim and I shared a long history of marathoning as after we met, and before we had our two now adult sons, I ran nine full marathons. He accompanied me to nearly all of them, meeting me along the course. We even ran the Birmingham marathon together one year, where we each ran two five-mile legs, and I finished it off with the final 6.2 miles. We nearly broke 4 hours that year!!

In September of last year Jim was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. Despite having his cancer-laden lymph nodes removed in October, the cancer spread to his lungs and Jim died on November 30th.

The idea of traveling to Eugene to run the marathon without Jim left me numb. Then my brother Christopher, who ran the Atlanta marathon with me many years ago, told me he would run the half in Jim's place, and run it as a fundraiser for melanoma research. This offer, and the idea of using this opportunity to raise money to fight melanoma, is the primary motivation for finishing the Eugene marathon, in spite of losing Jim.

The MRF is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma, supporting innovative research, educating patients and physicians and advocating for those impacted by melanoma. Every dollar raised supports advancements that bring hope to patients and their families.

This year, we're fundraising for the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF)! The MRF is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma, supporting innovative research, educating patients and physicians and advocating for those impacted by melanoma.

This April, we're running in the Eugene Marathon and 1/2 Marathon (April 25-27, 2025) with Team MRF to raise awareness and critical funds for melanoma research. Every dollar raised supports advancements that bring hope to patients and their families.

Please consider making a donation and help me reach my goal! Together, we can take strides toward a future without melanoma.