Help Dawn raise money

I swore I would never run back to back marathons, but made a liar out of myself. Despite the fact I'll be toeing the line in NYC just three weeks before, I couldn't say no to year 4 of running the Philadelphia Marathon with the AACR Foundation as a Runner for Research! This cause is so near and dear to my heart, and it's an honor to make every single terrible, difficult, strenuous, BEAUTIFUL - step count for those who might not be able to do the same.

When I was a little girl, I lost my beloved grandmother, Dawn, to cancer. She was nothing short of amazing, and I aspire to be like her each day. I've never met someone more beautiful (both inside and out), loving, and kind. She lived the golden rule. She was the most fashionable, the best cook. She knew so much! I miss her teaching me Greek through Greek Orthodox hymns, and I miss her hugs. I still dream about our backyard adventures. I like to think I get my passion for movement from her - she loved her daily walks around the neighborhood. And I'll never forget that waist twister thing that I used to play on when I was little... I'm pretty sure it's still in my grandparents' garage, but I'll stick to my Peloton core classes 😉

People share their fondest memories of her to this day - 26 years later - and when that happens, I especially realize the true loss it's been to live in a world without her. But I smile like this because I am so very blessed to have known her, and keep her legacy and name alive. Since I was so young when it happened, I've spent many of my older years grieving, wishing she was still here, and wondering how different my own life would be had there been a cure or more advanced treatments available then. Running, to me, is meditative, and has helped me to process this (and so, so much more). It's a privilege to run this marathon, year after year, for those who can't, and make my miles count by fundraising for cancer research with the AACR 💚

Here's to a cancer free world with more Dawns 🌅