The Celebrate Life Half Marathon raises money for cancer patients undergoing treatment who are struggling to pay for the things that insurance won't cover: transportation to treatment, insurance copays, groceries, rent. The stress and burden of maintaining the everyday necessities make the stress and burden of fighting for one’s life that much harder.

I first ran the Celebrate Life Half Marathon as a relay in 2018, still working through the death of my beloved Aunt Pat from cancer the previous fall. In 2019, I ran the full half, my godfather and uncle George having recently undergone a stem-cell transplant for MDS and just coming out of the 100-day post-transplant period. He would be with us just a few months longer. In 2020, I ran just before the world shut down, in their memory and the memories of all those lost to us, including my Uncle Mike, whom I never got to know. In 2021, I ran it virtually, alone, in the cold and dark, but raised the most money I had ever raised: $4750.

I missed 2022…I missed a lot of things in 2022.

And now, in 2023, I’ll be running it for the last time, as this will be its 20th and final year. What better way to go out than by raising the most money ever? My goal this year is $5000 and I know we can meet it. Every day, I learn about someone in my life, either directly or through those for whom I love and care, who is dealing with cancer. The need for help is endless, and often, just a small amount can make a huge difference in someone’s life. I hope you’ll join me in this final appeal to be the love and support and care we hope to see in the world.

I am not in half-marathon shape and will likely do a lot of walking and suffering (and cursing) in March, but you can leave that part to me! Your financial support will be received with abundant gratitude, and if your financial support is not available, your moral support is appreciated, too.