Sometimes you read something that just touches you in a special way. That's what I thought after reading the note below, sent to me by Kimberly McAdams, a colleague at the American Cancer Society.
Kimberly's email found its way to me as a thank you and follow-up for her participation in the Society's recent DetermiNation event in New Orleans. What made the note stand out was not that she was someone I (along with many others) supported financially and emotionally as she prepared for her marathon, but the points she touched on as she related how her participation impacted her life. It wasn't just about raising money. No, it was much more: about how she did this together with friends, how she won the race before she ever finished it (a theme I have echoed in another blog this past summer), and how it was personal for her as she carried the thoughts and prayers of so many of her family and friends with her as she prepared for and participated in the race.
Most important was the fact that her mother is a cancer survivor, and at the same time Kimberly was preparing to run the race, her mother was declared to be cancer free.
There are a lot of messages in this note: messages about the wonderful people at the American Cancer Society and why we do what we do, messages about personal determination and commitment, and messages about the journey of life.
I hope you enjoy Kimberly's note as much as I did. As she said frequently in her email, all of us join her in saying "Thank you!" for everything you do every day to help us do better for those we serve, whether they be people who depend on us for services, people who support us in our efforts, and people who hear every day that their lives continue and their birthdays will be celebrated hopefully for many years to come.
"On February 13, 2011 I ran 26.2 miles. I ran it with my dear friend Amy and about 400 other DetermiNation runners. We walked in mass to the start line of the Mardi-Gras Marathon in New Orleans and made the other 10,000 runners jealous as we were led by a brass band. We were all celebrating. We were celebrating the fact that collectively we raised $400,000 for the American Cancer Society.
"I was celebrating the fact that WE raised $11,605 (I was the top money raiser) in honor of our friends and loved ones. Thank you!
"Before the race began I was already a winner. I love this term "winner". When I started running endurance events about 7 years ago my kids would ask "are you going to win?" At that point - finishing was winning. This race was different. I wasn't doing this just for me. I was running this distance for you, for me, for my dad, for my mom, my step-dad, aunts, friends and countless others. I carried with me all the names you gave me - they ran that race with me. This time I was "winning" before I already started. This was my slowest marathon - but my most meaningful. Thank you!
"On March 23, 2011 in Houston, Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center (yesterday) my mom was told she is "CANCER FREE". Talk about winning. It brings tears to my eyes even now. The relief that swept over me must have felt like nothing compared to her and David's relief in knowing that many, many happy years lie before them. Still with humor "I lost 26 pounds - there is an upside to radiation" my mom went through a battery of tests confirming what she believed was true. I know she is grateful for her clean bill of health...I know I am too! Thank You!
"So what is next? As you know a cancer diagnosis is a marathon...
"For my mom - she will be tested and examined quarterly to ensure that nasty little cancer doesn't try to relocate! Her cells and blood and history will be studied to understand cancer better and will hopefully helps others survive treatment with smiles and a sense of humor.
"For the American Cancer Society - thanks to you - we will continue to provide services and information to anyone who needs them in every community in the country through 1-800-ACS-2345, cancer.org and local offices. We will continue to fund research that helps the world understand the biology of cancer and how best to beat it. We will fund more amazing researchers that will join go on to join 44 other ACS funded researchers in winning a Nobel Laureate. We will continue to look for the best way to prevent cancer through research studies like CPS3. We will continue to lobby on behalf of health care, quality of life, cancer research and other critical topics at the local, state and federal level. The American Cancer Society will continue to all this work because of amazing donors like you willing to support a crazy girl willing to run a marathon. Thank You!
"For me - we'll I've already run another 1/2 Marathon. I will continue to run. I am signing up to run the Rock n' Roll Savannah Marathon on November 5, 2011. I will be running as a DetermiNation athlete...and yes you'll be hearing from me later in the year. I continue to love working for the American Cancer Society. Mostly I continue to be Determined in so many ways. Your willingness to support me has inspired me. Thank You!"
Congratulations, Kimberly, for running and truly winning the race. And thank you for sharing these wonderful thoughts.
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