In 2022, my family watched helplessly as my dad slipped away from an aggressive form of bladder cancer within a span of 6 months. As hard as it was to lose him, I can only imagine what parents of a pediatric cancer patient go through. As a mom of two young children, I would want every resource available to fight that worse possible nightmare! Team Fired Up helps make Dragon Master Foundation’s goal to cure childhood cancer a reality. Runners fundraise on the Foundation’s behalf to earn their registrations in runDisney races. It is through their commitment to both their races and pediatric cancer that Dragon Master Foundation is able to support research through Cavatica, a large­-scale open access database, and help children travel to cities providing life saving treatments.

As you know our family LOVES disney. Our first trip in 2022, a short month after my dad passed away, was so healing for me. I wept through many moments that trip reflecting on how hard he worked to give us so many opportunities like a Disney trip as a family when I was in 3rd grade. I thought of how he called me "princess" as a nickname and the many special father daughter disney princess relationships I saw through fresh eyes. And ultimately, the joy that we had as a family of 4 was so cathartic. We just vibe down there as we escape the day to day and have since been back twice together. 

I have never run a half marathon and expect it to be a challenge mentally and physically.  I am so excited to say I will be running with my little sister, Emily, who also happens to be one of my very best friends. Together I am envisioning us standing in front of the castle, decked out in princess paraphernalia making my dad so very proud. He took up running later in life completing many distance runs. He spent his days working as a scientist in food packaging. I know he would be so excited to see these kids be helped by new and cutting edge treatments.

I will proudly run in his memory and for the many kids who are battling these awful cancers. They hopefully will live on to make many more happy memories, possibly at the most magical place on earth.