So that no one faces cancer alone, Gilda's Club Madison provides free emotional support, cancer education, and hope to children and adults living with any kind of cancer, and those who care for them.
Growing up, my dad was an avid runner (and cyclist, and occasional swim-across-the-laker). I remember attending one of his races, but mostly what I recall is it being really hot, and there was one kid who barfed at the finish line. So began my phobia of vomit.
Anyway, I've done around three official 5Ks in my life, with the last one when I was 36 - a "fun run" with the salon I worked with as a "team building" thing. There were a lot of bubbles and I don't remember why, but I ran the whole thing. I think the one before that was about 10 years earlier, when my good friend, Gen, persuaded me to make healthier choices for myself (rather than sit around crying about my stupid ex-boyfriend, drinking whiskey). That 5K was more epic, as it was attached to an all-women's sprint triathlon. Honestly, I will never do one of those again.
As has unintentionlly become my decennial tradition of participating in an organized block of moderate exercise marked by wearing a number pinned to my chest, I am running yet another 5K, but this one is in honor of my dad, Allan, who died of an aggressive form of cancer in May 2024. Training for this seems like an appropriate way to move through a little bit of this grief I always carry, and the race lands in Dad's birthday month. This is my first fund-raising 5K. It's a good cause, so please consider donating.
The Run/Walk fundraising efforts go towards ensuring that Gilda's Club Madison can provide this vital support for years to come.
