Help Shannon raise money

I am so excited to be running for Family Reach, and I am running with my sister Tess! This will be my first race since running the Chicago Marathon in 2014… only the best cause has me lacing up the running sneakers after a 10 year hiatus!

Quick backstory: My father was diagnosed with melanoma cancer when I was 8 years old and passed away just 3 years later. My dad was the "breadwinner" for our family, as my mother had sustained serious injury from a car accident leaving her as an amputee on disability.  My family was fortunate to have a supportive network that rallied to help with coverage for doctors visits, juggling transportation, school and meals for myself and my 4 siblings through my dad’s final years. 

It is emotionally exhausting and highly chaotic (even before factoring in the financial drain) keeping a family member alive while raising young children simultaneously, and not many families have access to the care, educational resources, and financial support that my family was blessed with.  Often a diagnosis translates into too low (or no) income as schedules adjust to accommodate medical treatment, and sadly this results in really tough choices for parents and families.  A cancer diagnosis is hard enough, no one should have to make the decision on whether to feed their children, pass on lifesaving medication, or pay their basic utility bills -- and this is where Family Reach steps in.  Family Reach is where families can turn to ensure their basic needs are met. It’s not just a band-aid or stop gap, this organization is truly the difference between life and death for so many families.

Though only recently introduced to Family Reach, I am so deeply impressed with the mission that I was moved to get involved and make a difference with this organization.

Please consider giving to Family Reach - I am so grateful for your support!  

Thank you,
Shannon