In 2019, I ran the Honolulu Marathon while my best friend in Japan was fighting breast cancer. She was enduring harsh, continuous treatments, and being over 6,000 miles away, I felt helpless. To support her, I challenged myself to do something I never enjoyed—running. I had already lost my beloved aunt to lung cancer in 2016, and seeing my best friend suffer in 2018 broke my heart even more. Despite being a slow runner, I completed the marathon and flew straight to Japan to see her. She fought bravely for another year, but sadly, we lost her. I will never forget our last FaceTime call, when she thanked me for everything. That moment stays with me always.

Since then, I have lost more friends to cancer, and each time, my heart aches. But I know I am not alone—so many of us have faced these losses. Life moves forward, and we must keep going, even when it’s hard. After losing another friend in May 2023, I decided to run again and created a Facebook group to bring people together for the Honolulu run. Now, with about 50 members, I want to use this opportunity to fundraise for cancer research and support.

My story is just one story, but I know everyone has many stories. Together, we can honor our loved ones and help others facing cancer. I am raising funds to donate to the American Cancer Society and the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Your support will help advance research and provide hope to those affected by cancer. Please join me in making a difference—every contribution counts.