Help Regina raise money

Last year I ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon in memory of my mom, Pat. This year, I am running the Philadelphia Full Marathon, because my mom never did anything half way! 

Even before my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was a role model for tenacity, hard work and determination. These characteristics helped her fight cancer as you can see in her story below.

I've never run a marathon before, but as I train I will lean on her strength to advocate for cancer research. As part of the Independence Challenge, I will also be running the 8k on Saturday. I invite any friends and family members to join me to honor her and advocate for cancer research!  

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At the age of 50, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It required 19 lymph nodes removed, 10 rounds of chemo, and 42 rounds of radiation prior to going into remission.

While in remission, she battled through multiple health challenges including a 21 day stay in the ICU due to pneumonia. At the age of 60, mom was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic triple negative breast cancer. She worked for 9 months while going through treatment. She was determined to keep working despite countless chemo sessions. It wasn’t until her doctors determined it was absolutely necessary, that she finally stepped away from work to focus on her health and her family.

My mom had a courageous and brave fight of over two years. She would endure 76 doses of 5 different kinds of chemo. During one treatment, she would take 2 chemo pills a day for 21 days at a time. She was hospitalized 7 times, fought through 6 surgeries, and had over 22 scans before she passed away on February 7th, 2020.

My mom did not lose the battle with cancer. She fought and fought well. She conquered every chemo, every procedure, and every setback. My mom was strong and won every battle that came her way. I promised my mom that we would not see her as losing the battle, but that it was time for her to stop fighting, that it was her time to rest, and that the battle is to be passed on to those she leaves behind. In honor of my mom’s strength, life and journey, it is time for us to continue her battle. To continue to fight for a cure

Living locally, I was able to spend time with my mom daily and attend her doctor's appointments. We were told over and over that there was not a lot of research being done for Triple Negative Breast Cancer and that there were limited options for treatment, so we continued to look for answers. When we attended a Breast Cancer Conference, my mom had requested that I ask the panel of oncologists a question in her place since she was in a wheelchair at the time. I remember waiting in line with my mom's question written down so that I would not forget it. When it was my turn to speak into the microphone and ask these leading oncologists about research and options for Stage IV Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, I will never forget their faces. They paused, looked at each other and then one took a deep breath and stated that he apologized, but that there was not a lot of research and not a lot of options. It took me a moment to collect myself and walk back to my mom. We have heard this before, but we were hopeful that the conference would give us a different answer. Though there were some positives to come out of this conference for us, I can’t help but hope for better for those that follow my mother with this diagnosis.

I hope to play even a small role to ensure that others in my mom’s position might not need to hear that there are limited options. As part of my race, I’m proudly supporting the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). With your help, we can make the AACR Philadelphia Marathon the largest run dedicated to cancer research in the U.S.! I’m running to make every step through Philadelphia a step toward a cure and truly appreciate any contributions you can make. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is on the front lines of the quest for new and innovative ways to understand, prevent, and cure cancer. We bring together the greatest minds in cancer science to defeat the more than 200 types of cancer, including Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The AACR invites you to join us in imagining a world without cancer. More importantly, we invite you to join us in making it happen. Of every dollar donated, 88 cents goes to support lifesaving cancer research including Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Last year I was able to talk to representatives from AACR about their research for Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Below you will find some highlights of their research! I am proud to support AACR so that other families do not have to be told over and over that their options are limited. I am proud to run for my mom knowing there is research to impact not only treatment but also prevention. 

I am proud to be running the 2023 AACR Philadelphia Marathon in support of cancer research. Thank you for your support and see you at the finish line!

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is on the front lines of the quest for new and innovative ways to understand, prevent, and cure cancer, bringing together the greatest minds in cancer science to defeat cancer.

Your donation will support critical lifesaving cancer research, as 88 cents of every dollar raised directly supports the groundbreaking work of the AACR.