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Imagine.....
A world where my mom wasn't sick
A world where she could still give me a kiss, a hug
A world where I could tell her it is going to be okay
A world where we could be traveling together again
A world where my mom is not confused or anxious
A world where she is not hurting
A world where she is still here
This is a world without cancer
Kathleen: Is married to Tom and together they have Gwenyth (9) Colin (8) and Tommy (4). Why am I so passionate about running for Dana-Farber? I am running for Mom and all those who cannot run. Our family hopes to carry on Mom's legacy and do what we can to stop cancer. I have learned that being part of the Dana-Farber team is the perfect mix of empowerment and giving. The impossible happens (running a marathon) and more importantly you get to make a difference in the world. But if you ask my sister she would tell you I am running to get new shoes.
Kristin is an ICU nurse who has recently moved to Maine to be closer to Kathleen. Why am I running and fundraising again?
I owe it to the people I love to help make a
difference and I feel so strongly that indeed we can one day have a world without cancer. Also without a doubt for mom. I miss her terribly and wish she was still here. I know that she would be proud.
- Unlike general hospitals, Dana-Farber specializes exclusively in cancer research and care
- For five straight years, Dana-Farber has been ranked as the best cancer hospital in New England and fourth best in the nation in U.S.News and World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" survey.
- Harvard Medical School affiliate
- The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (in it's 20th year) aims to raise $4.85 million for the Barr Program to better understand, treat, and, ultimately, cure cancer. The DFMC directs 100% of funds raised to the Barr Program, which enables scientists at the leading edge of discovery to achieve better cure rates and to enhance patients’ quality of life.
In October 2006 our lives changed in a way none of us could have foreseen.
Here is our story,
- October 30th, 2006 our mom was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a stage IV cancerous brain tumor. We were told with radical treatment the median survival is 12 months.
- She underwent a craniotomy (brain surgery) to remove a large amount of the tumor.
- After 4 weeks of rehab she was able to go home but only with constant supervision
- Then a 6 week round of radiation and the first round of chemotherapy. At the same time mom was attending a day program for physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- We got through another round of chemo in spring.
- In mid-May we had a new scan that showed new growth. At that time we were told that no medical treatments would work and that we would be lucky to have a month.
- Mom was placed on hospice.
- Seven months after being told that mom only had a month to live she passed away (12-31-07). We all miss our mom terribly.
Those are the details but read between those lines and you will see our struggle, our heartbreaking journey with cancer. We know our families story is not unique and that is why finding treatments to cure this disease is such an important goal.
How does this all connect to running a marathon? We, as a family, want to take steps to prevent this from happening to other families. Through raising money from your donations for cancer research (which we are enabled to do so through Dana Farber Cancer Institute) we are taking steps in the right direction.
