#RunforHerLife: End GYN Cancers
What in the world am I doing?
My name is Alicia, and I’m going to run my own marathon to raise funds for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. I’m doing this in honor of my mom, Sondra, who was diagnosed with Primary Peritoneal and then Ovarian Cancer in March 2019. She is still on her journey of living with cancer and I am so glad to walk that road with her. Her drive, joy, and strength inspire me every day.
My Story
I’ll be honest with you, life is hard right now. It’s hard to watch my mom go through weekly chemo treatments, major surgery, and more chemo treatments. It’s hard to see her lose her beautiful hair, have it grow back surprisingly curly, and then lose it again. It’s hard to know the many side effects she is dealing with, and the additional medications needed to manage those. It’s hard to face the reality that eventually we all die. We will all lose loved ones one way or another. The blessing of having such close relationships with family is coupled with greater grief when those losses inevitably occur.
I cope with this hardship by running. I’m not a competitive runner who places in races. I’m the middle- to back-of-the-pack person who celebrates finishing and maybe going faster than I did last time. I’m the person who takes walk breaks to catch my breath and then starts back up again. I started long distance running about 5 years ago and it has become so important to me as I go through life’s everyday challenges. I can’t remove my mom’s cancer, but I can run. Her positive attitude and joy through all of this inspires me to do hard things, to push farther and faster. I achieved my fastest mile of my life a few weeks ago by thinking that I have the cure for my mom’s cancer and I need to get to her. I’ve never run harder.
Running gives me a sense of joy in the ability to move my body, a sense of accomplishment when I finish a hard run. Races give me something to work towards and a purpose for each run. 2020 has seen more races cancelled than I could have anticipated. I can probably count on one hand the races that are actually taking place this year. While I understand and agree with the reasoning behind these cancellations, it is so disappointing. I picked a race goal, started a training plan, and then it was cancelled. I picked another race goal, adjusted my training plan, and it was also cancelled. I was depressed and struggling to find motivation to keep running. I wanted a greater purpose and goal.
Enter the self-marathon idea.
Who says I have to run someone else’s marathon? There’s nothing stopping me from running 26.2 miles by myself around town. It won’t have the crowds of spectators or the cool medal at the end, but it’s still a major accomplishment! But what will keep me going? Why would I do this? Just because I’m crazy? Some might say that’s true, but that’s not why I’m doing it. I realized that I could run and raise money for a foundation that supports research, education, and public awareness of gynecological cancers. On December 6, 2020 (originally scheduled for Nov. 22), I will run 26.2 miles on my own to raise money for the Foundation for Women's Cancer.
“Lovely, but what does that have to do with me?”
Are you female? Do you know and love a female? In 2019, the global population was 49.6% female, meaning there are 3.8 billion amazing and unique women around the globe. While God has given us the ability to bring life into the world through our unique anatomy, sometimes those very body parts can turn cancerous and try to kill us. Ironic, no? There are 5 main gynecological cancers: ovarian, endometrial/uterine, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal. According to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 110,070 new cases diagnosed and approximately 32,120 deaths from gynecological cancers in the United States in 2018. Many of these cancers are hard to detect in the early stages of the disease, so more research must be done to improve early detection.
I'm running for my mom and all the women who could be impacted by gynecological cancers. I’m running for all of those people who love women who are facing these cancers. Will my running 26.2 miles cure my mom? No. But if it inspires others to give, if it increases awareness, if it unifies individuals for the cause as I do a crazy thing, then I’ve accomplished my goal. Frankly, it seems crazy to set my fundraising goal at $10,000. But really, why not? Why not reach to accomplish TWO amazing things: running 26.2 miles AND raising that amount of money.
I’ve picked the Foundation for Women’s Cancer because it is the official foundation of theSociety of Gynecological Oncology (SGO). Your donations to this foundation will further their mission to eradicate gynecological cancers. It will support them in their work of:
Awareness: Promoting public awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, early diagnosis and optimal treatment.
Diversity and Inclusion: Committing to cultural humility and diversity of thought and engagement.
Education: Providing innovative education and continuous learning.
Leadership: Setting an example of integrity, quality and excellence to eradicate gynecologic cancer.
Partnership: Supporting efforts of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) to eradicate gynecologic cancers.
Research: Advancing innovation and discovery to eradicate gynecologic cancer.
How You Can Help
- Please consider sponsoring my individual marathon. Would you give $10 per mile that I run? $1 per mile? Any and all donations are appreciated.
- Help me spread the word about this foundation and women's cancers. Share the link to your Facebook timeline and tell those you know about my crazy endeavor and why I’m doing it.
- Sign up to run or bike a segment with me. I’d love the company!
- Sign up your dog to run with me. Their energy (and leash) can pull me along!
- Consider assisting me with a water table on November 22nd, or signs to encourage me.
- Help me develop my running route in the central bluegrass region of Kentucky (as flat as possible!!)
- Wear a teal ribbon for GYN Cancer Awareness month in September.
- Share my awareness posts throughout the month of September.
- Be part of my Go Fund Me fundraising team.
What Comes Next
Between now and December 6th I will be training hard with running, biking, and strength training. I’ll post updates here so you can accompany me on the journey. I’m putting my all into this project. I’ll also be doing frequent updates here and on social media with facts about gynecological cancers and celebrations of donations received. We can do amazing things together!
Teal Ribbon Options:
https://www.awardsandgiftsrus.com/aw7.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=aw7
https://www.supportstore.com/teal-ribbon-lapel-pin.html
Thank you so much to the business sponsors!
Fuel Your Sport Coaching
Nutrition and Running Coaching for every level of runner
The Wine Project by Winefellas
The best place in Georgetown to get your handpicked wine, located within Meraki and Moon creative market.
My name is Alicia, and I’m going to run my own marathon to raise funds for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. I’m doing this in honor of my mom, Sondra, who was diagnosed with Primary Peritoneal and then Ovarian Cancer in March 2019. She is still on her journey of living with cancer and I am so glad to walk that road with her. Her drive, joy, and strength inspire me every day.
My Story
I’ll be honest with you, life is hard right now. It’s hard to watch my mom go through weekly chemo treatments, major surgery, and more chemo treatments. It’s hard to see her lose her beautiful hair, have it grow back surprisingly curly, and then lose it again. It’s hard to know the many side effects she is dealing with, and the additional medications needed to manage those. It’s hard to face the reality that eventually we all die. We will all lose loved ones one way or another. The blessing of having such close relationships with family is coupled with greater grief when those losses inevitably occur.
I cope with this hardship by running. I’m not a competitive runner who places in races. I’m the middle- to back-of-the-pack person who celebrates finishing and maybe going faster than I did last time. I’m the person who takes walk breaks to catch my breath and then starts back up again. I started long distance running about 5 years ago and it has become so important to me as I go through life’s everyday challenges. I can’t remove my mom’s cancer, but I can run. Her positive attitude and joy through all of this inspires me to do hard things, to push farther and faster. I achieved my fastest mile of my life a few weeks ago by thinking that I have the cure for my mom’s cancer and I need to get to her. I’ve never run harder.
Running gives me a sense of joy in the ability to move my body, a sense of accomplishment when I finish a hard run. Races give me something to work towards and a purpose for each run. 2020 has seen more races cancelled than I could have anticipated. I can probably count on one hand the races that are actually taking place this year. While I understand and agree with the reasoning behind these cancellations, it is so disappointing. I picked a race goal, started a training plan, and then it was cancelled. I picked another race goal, adjusted my training plan, and it was also cancelled. I was depressed and struggling to find motivation to keep running. I wanted a greater purpose and goal.
Enter the self-marathon idea.
Who says I have to run someone else’s marathon? There’s nothing stopping me from running 26.2 miles by myself around town. It won’t have the crowds of spectators or the cool medal at the end, but it’s still a major accomplishment! But what will keep me going? Why would I do this? Just because I’m crazy? Some might say that’s true, but that’s not why I’m doing it. I realized that I could run and raise money for a foundation that supports research, education, and public awareness of gynecological cancers. On December 6, 2020 (originally scheduled for Nov. 22), I will run 26.2 miles on my own to raise money for the Foundation for Women's Cancer.
“Lovely, but what does that have to do with me?”
Are you female? Do you know and love a female? In 2019, the global population was 49.6% female, meaning there are 3.8 billion amazing and unique women around the globe. While God has given us the ability to bring life into the world through our unique anatomy, sometimes those very body parts can turn cancerous and try to kill us. Ironic, no? There are 5 main gynecological cancers: ovarian, endometrial/uterine, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal. According to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 110,070 new cases diagnosed and approximately 32,120 deaths from gynecological cancers in the United States in 2018. Many of these cancers are hard to detect in the early stages of the disease, so more research must be done to improve early detection.
I'm running for my mom and all the women who could be impacted by gynecological cancers. I’m running for all of those people who love women who are facing these cancers. Will my running 26.2 miles cure my mom? No. But if it inspires others to give, if it increases awareness, if it unifies individuals for the cause as I do a crazy thing, then I’ve accomplished my goal. Frankly, it seems crazy to set my fundraising goal at $10,000. But really, why not? Why not reach to accomplish TWO amazing things: running 26.2 miles AND raising that amount of money.
I’ve picked the Foundation for Women’s Cancer because it is the official foundation of theSociety of Gynecological Oncology (SGO). Your donations to this foundation will further their mission to eradicate gynecological cancers. It will support them in their work of:
Awareness: Promoting public awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, early diagnosis and optimal treatment.
Diversity and Inclusion: Committing to cultural humility and diversity of thought and engagement.
Education: Providing innovative education and continuous learning.
Leadership: Setting an example of integrity, quality and excellence to eradicate gynecologic cancer.
Partnership: Supporting efforts of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) to eradicate gynecologic cancers.
Research: Advancing innovation and discovery to eradicate gynecologic cancer.
How You Can Help
- Please consider sponsoring my individual marathon. Would you give $10 per mile that I run? $1 per mile? Any and all donations are appreciated.
- Help me spread the word about this foundation and women's cancers. Share the link to your Facebook timeline and tell those you know about my crazy endeavor and why I’m doing it.
- Sign up to run or bike a segment with me. I’d love the company!
- Sign up your dog to run with me. Their energy (and leash) can pull me along!
- Consider assisting me with a water table on November 22nd, or signs to encourage me.
- Help me develop my running route in the central bluegrass region of Kentucky (as flat as possible!!)
- Wear a teal ribbon for GYN Cancer Awareness month in September.
- Share my awareness posts throughout the month of September.
- Be part of my Go Fund Me fundraising team.
What Comes Next
Between now and December 6th I will be training hard with running, biking, and strength training. I’ll post updates here so you can accompany me on the journey. I’m putting my all into this project. I’ll also be doing frequent updates here and on social media with facts about gynecological cancers and celebrations of donations received. We can do amazing things together!
Teal Ribbon Options:
https://www.awardsandgiftsrus.com/aw7.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=aw7
https://www.supportstore.com/teal-ribbon-lapel-pin.html
Thank you so much to the business sponsors!
Fuel Your Sport Coaching
Nutrition and Running Coaching for every level of runner
The Wine Project by Winefellas
The best place in Georgetown to get your handpicked wine, located within Meraki and Moon creative market.
Co-organizers (2)
Alicia Roddy Olsen
Organizer
Lexington, KY
Foundation for Women's Cancer
Beneficiary
Sondra Roddy
Co-organizer