Last year, my mother was diagnosed with primary central nervous lymphoma (PCNSL), an incredibly aggressive and rare type of brain cancer. This cancer is so aggressive, that in just a few short weeks, my mother’s sudden onset of headaches progressed into a complete loss of personality and incoherence. My father, knowing something was deeply wrong, rushed her to the hospital where she had emergency brain surgery.

This surgery marked the beginning of my mother’s fight for her life. She endured additional brain surgeries, multiple rounds of painful and draining chemotherapy, and long periods of isolation due to her weakened immune system. Thanks to the incredible work of her medical team and what could only be described as a miracle, my mother was able to achieve remission within less than a year.

Despite my mother’s positive outcome, my heart aches when thinking back on this time. It’s painful to watch the woman who raised you go through so much. It’s a terrifying feeling to not know if she will ever wake up, be herself, or recognize you again.

According to the National Institute of Health, 1700 people in the US are diagnosed with PCNSL annually. This means that every single year, 1700 people are being told that they have brain cancer. Every single year, 1700 people are enduring incomparable pain. Every single year, 1700 people are fighting to keep who they are alive.

With this in mind, I am joining the American Cancer Society’s “31 Miles Challenge” with a fundraising goal of $1700. My goal in running is to help the American Cancer Society in their mission to support those impacted by cancer.

Please support my cause by sharing this story, donating to my fundraiser, or signing up to run, too! Together, we can work to make a difference in the fight against cancer.