I'm running the 2026 Disney Marathon with Team Fired Up, supporting the Dragon Master Initiative and their goal to revolutionize cancer research and treatment. Dragon Master understands that clinical trial results take too long. Their mission is to support the expansion of a free research tool that enables doctors and scientists to rapidly share, search and analyze cancer patient data. 

There is nobody who has not been impacted by cancer in some way. Friends, family members, coworkers... the list goes on and on. Through the years, I've lost loved ones, but in December 2023 it hit too close to home  

2023 was my mom's 80th birthday year. We decided to surprise her with walking the Wine and Dine 5K as a family. So, in early November, me, my husband, my brother and mom, all dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters walked our way through Epcot that Friday morning. Mom had the best time, but we all knew something was off.

She was slower and more tired than she should have been, and had a cough. Three weeks later, the fatigue and cough, along with unexplained weight loss were obvious. For a woman who weighed 110 pounds soaking wet, she had dropped into the 90s. After a few misdiagnosis as bronchitis and pneumonia, a trip to the ER confirmed our worst fears, Stage IV lung cancer.

The next six weeks were a blur of appointments, tests and then back to the hospital where she made the decision to stop treatment. Mom passed peacefully on January 22, 2024. 

I was to run the 2024 Dopey Challenge with Team Fired Up. I'd met my fundraising commitment and was looking forward to the four days of running through the Most Magical Place on Earth. That was not to be. in 2026, through Team Fired Up, I'll take on those 26.2 miles in honor of not just my mom, but all the moms, dads, brothers, sisters, friends and family that have been impacted by this horrible disease. Any help you provide goes right to this amazing organization. Thank you all!