Boston 2015, Running for a CURE!
This may be the most
important thing I’ve ever shared…
I hope you’ll stay with me. I’ve got some
really big news!!
6 weeks ago I applied to run the Boston Marathon 2015 for
Dana Farber and I’m in! Truth be told, I cried. Then I called my Dad. Then I told a small bunch of people. In that order.
I hope you’ll take a few moments to read about why I had to do this. You can click the link below which will bring you to my DFMC page.
www.rundfmc.org/2015/tarabedard
www.rundfmc.org/2015/tarabedard
Cancer changes
everything.
It’s does so much more than
that but if I could only sum it up in three words, those would be the words I
choose.
Unfair, doesn’t even begin to
describe cancer and what it does to patients and their loved ones. Watching
someone battle cancer is one of the most painful things that family and friends
can go through. You are left with a feeling of hopelessness beyond anything
you’ve ever really experienced. Everyone feels hopeless now and again but
Cancer promises to make you feel the most hopeless as you watch your family and
friends fight day in and day out.
I come from a family of strong women. They
are strong, smart, determined, loving, caring and kind women. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by some amazing women in my life. 4 of the most
important women in my life include my Mom and her sisters. 3 of them have
battled cancer since 1993. That’s 21 years of fighting. Not all of them at the
same time, but for 21 years. It’s become a way for life for my family.
But we rally. Our family is
large. Our family is strong. But we’ve lost so many to cancer. We have a motto in our
family…
“In times of Test, Family is Best” It couldn’t be more perfect because
this family has been put to the test. It’s our slogan, our motto, it’s who we have
become.
We have watched these women,
these strong, determined women who raised 2 daughters each and brought us up to
be just like them, fight way too hard for one lifetime. They have fought for
themselves, for each other, for us and they never once gave up. We won’t give
up either but the feeling of hopelessness never really goes away.
As much as I have ever wanted
anything, it has been my dream to run Boston for a cause that is close to my
heart. A cause that has taken up so much space in my heart. When I was at Simmons and I went to my first
ever Boston Marathon, I vowed that I would run someday. Then I vowed to run for
those whose lives were changed forever when I was at the finish in 2013. I vowed
to run for my city. I vowed to run for all of Boston. But now on top of all of
that, I vow to run for Cancer.
There is no other cause that hits as close to
home for me. I wish I didn’t have to type that. I wish life were easier for my
mom and her sisters.
I wish they didn’t have to
fight for their lives. I wish my grandfather didn’t have to watch his daughters
go through so much pain. I wish my father and my uncles didn’t have to watch
their wives hurt and fear and pray that their own daughters futures would be
safe from this awful disease that has impacted so many.
Cancer truly changes lives in
so many ways.
Running Boston FOR Dana
Farber is not something I hope to do. It is something I HAVE to do. I have to
do this for myself. I have to do this for 3 amazing women who have made me the strong woman I am today. I run for my mom Donna who is a breast cancer survivor, for my aunt Judi who continues to battle thyroid cancer and in honor of my aunt Shirley who lost her battle to colon cancer this past summer. I run for every
family member who has been added to our shirt each year and family members who have lost their battle. I run for friends who have been diagnosed and for my friends who have lost loved ones. I run in honor of Matty. I run for Shelbie. For everyone who has struggled, for those who
continue to fight and for those that are no longer fighting I will run. The bottom line is
that we need NEED a cure. And I would run to the ends of the earth if it would
help to find one, never mind 26.2 miles.
This was one of the best days ever. I know I can top it in 2015.
To my friends, my family,
complete strangers who I know will become my friends...
Fundraising is a huge commitment. This I am so well aware of. Giving is something I wish I could do for everyone.
I am hoping with the amount
of people I am going to reach out to, every little bit will help me reach my
fundraising goal.
Truly, every little bit helps. I pray it leads us closer to a
cure so that we can stop this horrible disease so that no one else has to
suffer, no one else needs to say goodbye too soon and no one else needs to live
in fear of a diagnosis.
“In times of test, family is best.”
You have my whole heart.
See
you in Boston 2015.
Please consider donating by clicking the link below.
Love,
t
Please consider donating by clicking the link below.
Love,
t
