April 2022 is a big month! I am turning 30 and celebrating 10 years of keeping Katrina Brehm's memory alive. What better way to honor her and celebrate a new decade than running a marathon and sending a child to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta ?!

Nine years ago I made a list of promises to Mom before she died. One of the promises - run a marathon. So, it's time to run a marathon. On April 10, 2022 I will run the Brighton City Marathon. Fun fact my crazy amazing mother ran seven marathons in her lifetime. One will be no problem, right?!?!

I have fond(ish) memories of running with my mother or her encouraging me to run. Over the years I would use different tactics to elude having to actually run. If we were running together she would always run backwards trying to encourage me to run faster, at which point I would complain of a cramp and turn around to go home. If I was running by myself I would splash water on my face to make it look like I was sweating and just completed a hard run. It's fair to say that at that stage in my life I did not love running like my mother did. Running was Mom's therapy and peace; a place she could go to reflect and unwind. Thankfully, over the past decade, I have found the same peace in running that it provided her. Who would have thought!?!

If I had to choose one word to describe Katrina it would be - warrior. Mom met every challenge life threw her way with grace, resilience, compassion, grit, and love. After her final surgery, Dad and I were in the hospital room waiting for Mom to wake up. An acute pain resident came in to check on her. At this point Dad and I were used to the small chat that would ensue. However, this chat was different. This doctor was different. He started talking about this place called Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. An organization that supports families that are experiencing or have experienced childhood cancer. Dad and I were so inspired and when Mom woke up we told her all about it. As a family we made the commitment that when Katrina got better (we knew she wouldn't) we would go and volunteer.

Mom never physically made it to Camp, but she is there in spirit. My Dad works in the kitchen , I fundraise, and many family and friends donate and now volunteer in her memory. It is humbling and an honor to see how Katrina continues to live through all of us. The total cost to send one child to camp is 2,500 USD. My dream is by April 10, we will have raised 2,500 USD to send a child to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in her honor!

Thank you for your time, thank you for your love, but most importantly thank you for continuing to keep my mother's memory alive. Sending a child to Camp is a small way. There are so many other ways to keep her memory alive - go for a run, help someone, work hard and play harder, be kind, and above all love and forgive.

It's always a good day to be a Brehm.

Love,

Samantha