On October 10, 2021, I will be "chasing hope" for 26.2 miles on the Columbia Trail in support of Cancer Hope Network. Running a marathon has been on my bucket list for many years. I decided to make my dream a reality this year and have been training for the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA for several months. Unfortunately, my race was just cancelled due to COVID. It was soul crushing news... but, it is nothing compared to receiving a cancer diagnosis. So, instead of being disappointed and upset about my marathon, I'm going to focus on the fact that I have extraordinary opportunity to put all of my hard work and training into a cause that means everything to me. 

For 40 years, Cancer Hope Network has been connecting cancer patients and caregivers with trained survivor mentors who provide support and guidance. Support Volunteers serve as mentors for patients going through treatment, provide practical suggestions to caregivers and create hope. The hope we create makes a difference. More than 90% of matched clients report that their match has definitely created hope. And, anecdotal reports tell us that match visits encourage patients to continue with their treatments.

Please join me by donating to this fundraiser, and if you'd like to join me for all or part of my run, I will be posting details here and on my Facebook page in the coming weeks. Thank you for support. If you'd like to learn more about Cancer Hope Network, please visit cancerhopenetwork.org