Shifting Mindsets, Changing Lives: Why I’m Running 13.1 Miles

 


In just a few weeks, I will be running 13.1 miles—not just for myself, but for the children and families who are in the fight of their lives (and the ones who lost their battle). I’m running to raise awareness and funds to support families navigating childhood cancer treatment and clinical trials, and I need your help.

On my wrist, I will wear a bracelet that says “I GET TO”—a simple yet powerful reminder. I don’t have to run; I GET TO. I get to push my limits, challenge myself, and use this opportunity to make a difference.

We often go through life thinking, I have to—I have to go to work, I have to work out, I have to do this or that. But what if we shifted our mindset? What if we saw these moments not as obligations but as opportunities? I get to wake up and train for this race. I get to move my body, breathe fresh air, and feel strong. I get to use my health, my energy, and my privilege to make an impact for those who don’t have that choice.

Too many children don’t get to run, play, or live without the weight of cancer. Instead, they spend their days in hospital rooms, undergoing treatments that steal their energy, their hair, and sometimes their hope. Their families face unimaginable emotional and financial burdens, doing everything they can to keep going.

That’s why this run is about more than just crossing a finish line. It’s about standing with these families. It’s about making sure they have the resources, support, and financial relief they need during the hardest moments of their lives.

Alongside my bracelet, I carry another powerful reminder—my tattoo: “Be Uncommon.” This phrase is more than ink on my skin; it’s a daily commitment to stepping up, standing out, and taking action when it matters most. Most people choose comfort, routine, and the easy path. But being uncommon means pushing past excuses, showing up when it’s hard, and doing what others won’t.

How You Can Help

I’m asking for your support in this mission. This Charity is very personal to me, my family lost an amazing little 9 year boy, Ryan, to DIPG, he confined him to a wheelchair before his passing last June. I will run for Ryan.   Even a $1 per mile donation ($13) can provide meaningful assistance to families facing childhood cancer. Every dollar raised goes toward easing their financial stress, helping with medical expenses, travel costs, and everyday needs so they can focus on what matters most—being there for their child. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RYAN AND DONATE!


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