Help Dominique raise money

I always have difficulty with writing this. My name is Dominique Hawk. This year marks the 5th year that I’ve been running for a reason.  The Pittsburgh Marathon pairs with the American Cancer Society to give runners the opportunity to run for a reason. My dad is my reason. 

My dad died from cancer when I was 12 years old (on New Year’s Day). I typically sign up on New Year’s day for that reason . I signed up earlier this year for many reasons, but the one that stands out the most to me is the holidays. My dad spent the entire month of December in the hospital. I can remember my mom playing Christmas music & having us look at decorated houses on the way to & from the hospital. The feeling I had of impending doom & powerlessness was so heavy & very difficult to undertake in an adolescent’s brain. 

Grief is a funny thing. It’s not linear & it doesn’t follow an exact path, but I know when I look at Christmas lights from the car and/or listen to Christmas music, I sometimes get that same feeling that I had 20 years ago. While grief is an inevitable thing for all of us in life, dealing with that grief will be individualistic. 

I feel like my dad deserves to be remembered & I know he ALWAYS would help anyone with anything. He literally did for everyone & enjoyed doing it . So, helping people who are diagnosed with cancer is something that he would definitely want to do. I want to remind myself as well as others the value of giving & selflessness & fundraise for a cause that is relevant to not just my family but everyone else who has watched someone’s  battle with cancer. I definitely feel like it’s my responsibility and obligation to create a legacy in his name. This marathon /The American Cancer society is one of the biggest & best ways I can do that. 

NOW, my mother is in her second year battling cancer as well. She just had another big surgery & her chemo begins at the end of January.   I  really have no words for any of that right now, but I thought it was important to add her battle as well while we’re living through it presently.

Please consider donating. There is no amount too small. It’s about the principle & the spirit of generosity & selflessness, not the amount. It is hard in the world for everyone right now, but I think about the people who have it harder & maybe we can’t make a huge difference all alone, but all together we can help the ones who have it harder. The ACS uses the money  to get patients to their chemo appointments and other major services during their illness that they otherwise could not obtain. Many of these patients don’t have family or a person to play a caregiver’s role. So, that’s what this is & why (in my dad’s memory & his legacy . Donate if you can! 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in the previous years. You’re all amazing & i can’t articulate how full my heart becomes when I see all of the love & support on so many levels. It’s just beautiful. So , thank you! 26.2 miles for the best man I’ve ever known (& the best woman too)! In Memory of Kenneth Mckinley Shurtz 🖤