Why I Run
~From the RWR website, 2005 National Capital Race Weekend~
"Although I have a long way to go before being in "top physical form" for the RWR, I am ecstatic to be returning to Ottawa with such an amazing group of people for such a worthy cause.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in grade 7, 1991. After operations and therapy, she was told that she'd be fine. 3 Months later, the doctors found a cancerous tumor in her liver. She passed away on February 8, 1994, and with her last breath she said "Amen".
Although her battle was over, my family continued to battle the effects of this disease over the years. Many celebratory moments in life became bitter sweet for us and accepting it was incredibly hard to swallow. Coming from a Christian family, I couldn't understand why God would let this happen without a giving me a good reason.
Over the past few years, I have met people and been mentor to some who have also lost family members to cancer or have family members battling cancer. They were mostly teenagers that I pastor to. To be there for them has been an incredible difficulty for me because of the hurt. However, one day, after my sister Kristen had shared her story about mom, one of the teens was crying and said to me, "I didn't know anyone could possibly feel the same way I do." From that moment on, I was able to look at my loss as a blessing rather than a curse. If I could be there to help others with their battles with cancer, this was reason enough for me.
I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in the RWR again because I will get to spend a weekend with people who are passionate to not only to prevent cancer, but who also want to share their experiences, laughter and love with others, celebrating what we do have and what we can do with our lives, right now. To have these people in my life makes me feel very rich!
So to all participants and those donating and supporting us, thank you.
Thank you for making our lives all the more rich for being part of this event!"
"Although I have a long way to go before being in "top physical form" for the RWR, I am ecstatic to be returning to Ottawa with such an amazing group of people for such a worthy cause.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in grade 7, 1991. After operations and therapy, she was told that she'd be fine. 3 Months later, the doctors found a cancerous tumor in her liver. She passed away on February 8, 1994, and with her last breath she said "Amen".
Although her battle was over, my family continued to battle the effects of this disease over the years. Many celebratory moments in life became bitter sweet for us and accepting it was incredibly hard to swallow. Coming from a Christian family, I couldn't understand why God would let this happen without a giving me a good reason.
Over the past few years, I have met people and been mentor to some who have also lost family members to cancer or have family members battling cancer. They were mostly teenagers that I pastor to. To be there for them has been an incredible difficulty for me because of the hurt. However, one day, after my sister Kristen had shared her story about mom, one of the teens was crying and said to me, "I didn't know anyone could possibly feel the same way I do." From that moment on, I was able to look at my loss as a blessing rather than a curse. If I could be there to help others with their battles with cancer, this was reason enough for me.
I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in the RWR again because I will get to spend a weekend with people who are passionate to not only to prevent cancer, but who also want to share their experiences, laughter and love with others, celebrating what we do have and what we can do with our lives, right now. To have these people in my life makes me feel very rich!
So to all participants and those donating and supporting us, thank you.
Thank you for making our lives all the more rich for being part of this event!"
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