My 2024 running challenge for my fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada was to run the 80km Ultra-Trail Harricana in Charlevoix on September 7th. Since January, I've been training hard for this important challenge, and along the way, I achieved my best time at the Ottawa Marathon with a time of 3:40, qualifying me for the Boston Marathon in 2025.
"Unfortunately, my running dreams were put on hold on July 10, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer."
On July 29, I went under the knife for a total mastectomy on my left side, and right now I'm recovering slowly, awaiting the results for further treatment. Rest assured, I'm doing fine.
So this year, the name of my traditional fundraising team, 'Run for a Cure', is changing to 'Cure to Run', as life has decided to put an even greater challenge in my path: beating cancer!
Why do I want to raise funds?
- To give myself a sense of power over this cancer that is beyond my control
- To have a tangible goal on the horizon: to be on the starting line of the Boston Marathon in April 2025.
- To support my colleagues at the LLSC - where I work as Quebec Director, knowing that the funds raised go directly to support fondamental blood cancer research - WHICH ALSO GOES TO ADVANCE ALL CANCER TREATMENTS.
Did you know that the first chemotherapy treatment was developed with a leukemia patient? And that if I benefit from this life-saving treatment, it's thanks to global cancer research? This fills my heart with joy!
I'd like to thank you in advance for your generosity. Together, we can kick cancer's ass, and thanks to your support, I can dream of being cured to RUN... again!
Marianne xx
