I was introduced to Tell Every Amazing Lady® by a run friend of mine, Kia, who recommended that I help raise money by running for the team in the 2018 United Airlines NYC Half. I’ve had friends work with charities before who told me that they didn’t really feel any connection with the charities they worked with.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that T.E.A.L.® was a group of amazingly passionate people, whose only focus during any of our engagements was the task at hand. They truly strive to make the world better in the fight against ovarian cancer, a cancer I had little knowledge about at the time, and it was that passion that has me coming back and supporting them again and again.
This won’t be my first TCS New York City Marathon. With that being said, in prior years, I’ve been complacent with the idea of “Just finishing.” While this is still an impressive feat to do, I found myself taking the event less seriously and thus didn’t really feel a sense of pride on the matter. This year, I have set up a training regimen, and am fully preparing myself to perform at my best possible level. While I don’t have an exact time in mind, this will be my first TCS New York City Marathon representing T.E.A.L.®, and I plan on giving a performance to make my team proud!
I find running to be a great escape from day-to-day trouble. To get to express that feeling of weightlessness when you hit the right pace, as well as the immediate breathlessness after passing your goal or finish line is a state of mind I always strive to hit with every run.
When asked what I would do if I had the power to make a difference or change in one thing related to ovarian cancer, I feel like our first answer is to want “A cure.” What I think we all end up missing, however, is that there is no “If” in this matter. Everyone here has the ability to make a difference with ovarian cancer. Everyone here, especially the amazing people working for T.E.A.L.®, have already made a difference, and continue to do so each day. I have the power to make a difference here, and that starts by getting people to understand what ovarian cancer is, by raising support on the matter, and by finding and supporting amazing groups like T.E.A.L.® so they can give those resources to people affected by it.
If I could tell amazing ladies one thing about ovarian cancer, it would be that they shouldn’t assume that it can’t “Happen to you.” Take the necessary precautions and make sure you’re up-to-date on all the latest info.
As for anyone who has received news that they have ovarian cancer, please know that you’re not on your own. Please know that it’s ok to be upset and cry. When I started my time supporting and representing T.E.A.L.® it was so that every single person who gets that dreaded news knows that they have a shoulder to lean on, and that they have a group to hold on to.
To support the Team Tell Every Amazing Lady® 2020 TCS New York City Marathon fundraising efforts, please visit https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/team-tell-every-amazing-lady-2020-tcs-new-york-city-marathon
