Dear Family and Friends,

Thank God for the photos in my iPhone. The only way to know when I ran a race was by searching for a medal. And there it was. The last half marathon I ran was December 2021 in Fort Lauderdale with my cousin Roger. Not sure why or how I stopped, but I have found a reason again to put myself back in those shoes. Because what I am attempting to do again, the pain and strain my body will endure is nothing compared to someone who’s trying to stay in this race called life. I have started a 12-week training program to complete a half marathon race on August 23rd in Far Rockaway Beach, New York in honor of my aunt Yoice Iturralde.

At the beginning of every new year, we all start with goals and best wishes and hope the year is a good one. But along the way, the year throws some very unpredictable and uncomfortable curveballs. For some, even life-changing with the word “cancer.” We hear about it, we know of it, but until it hits you or one of your loved ones, we have absolutely no idea nor feel what this disease really is.

In late January of this year, my aunt Yoice, at 51 years old, wife and mother of two children, got diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).

TNBC is an aggressive type of invasive breast cancer where the cancer cells are negative for estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone (PR), and HER2. Due to the lack of hormone receptors and HER2, TNBC doesn't respond to hormone therapies or HER2-targeted therapies. Chemotherapy is the primary systemic treatment option, along with surgery, radiation, and emerging therapies like immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

I will not bombard you anymore with medical terms as I will leave that to the doctors.

It has been 3 months since Yoice started the first stage of chemotherapy. She continues to work part time as a Telecom Design drafter. It goes without saying, it has taken a toll on her body, both physically and mentally. Last week she began her second stage of chemo treatment with stronger side effects. “Stay strong,” we say, but the unpleasant days that follow she must withstand alone and face the stormy days.

How she does it or where she gets the strength to keep going, I don’t know. Perhaps it’s the medical treatment she is receiving combined with her strong faith and her resilience to stay alive. I visited Yoice in Dallas for Mother’s Day. She had just gone for treatment a day before I landed. She welcomed me with a new hairstyle, a smile, and the same love. This only pushed my desire to run this race for her even more.

At one point or another in our lives, we struggle and question God why he allows certain tragedies or even takes away our loved ones. I certainly don’t have an answer today. I do believe God will answer in his time, not mine and not ours.

There are many ways to join the fight against cancer. I have chosen to dedicate this race to my aunt, a resilient, loving woman of great faith. I ask you to embark on this race with me. I’ve set this page up to help Yoice and her family with monthly expenses. Anything you donate to this fund will help tremendously. I ask you to keep Yoice in your prayers. She will continue the fight until she is cancer-free.

Feel free to check in with me on my progress. I’m not the most talented with IG postings but I will post a weekly total of miles ran. And Cousin Roger will again be my wingman! I couldn’t ask for a better one!

Thank you all very much for taking the time to read this and I wish you all a nice summer.

Lourdes Raily