CrazyBusy Mama! (Dot Calm)

In 1980, Nancy Goodman Brinker watched her sister, Susan Goodman Komen, suffer and lose her battle with breast cancer. In those days, there wasn’t much research being done regarding that particular type of cancer, and it was barely talked about above a whisper simply because it began with the word “breast.”

Much has happened since then to give breast cancer the national, and now world-wide, attention necessary to find a cure, and it all began as the Komen Foundation, which Nancy began in her living room in 1982 (it is now known as Komen for the Cure). Nancy had promised her sister, as Susan lay dying, that she would do whatever she could to make sure other women didn’t have to suffer from such a hideous disease. She kept that promise.

This week, Nancy was notified that she was nominated to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest award that can be given to a civilian. An untold number of lives have been saved thanks to Nancy’s promise to Susan, and I’m sure we all agree that this medal is long overdue. Congratulations, Nancy!

Read the full story here: White House to Award Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Founder Nancy G. Brinker

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As I sit here icing my shins and left knee, I’m mulling over the decision I’ve made to run in next year’s Race for the Cure in Seattle. So often, when I think of something like this to do — a noble idea, to be sure — I’ll dismiss it with a figurative wave of my hand. “It’s a wonderful thing…for those who can do it.”

But this…so far…is different. Cancer has touched me personally, and I want to do whatever I can to beat the monster back. You see, my husband has cancer. It’s not breast cancer (though men have been known to get it), which is what the money raised by Race for the Cure goes to finding a cure for. Lonnie has multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that begins in the marrow (it’s a cancer of the plasma cells, to be more exact). You can learn more about it here. To learn a little more about when he was diagnosed, etc., see my about page. Eventually, I would like to run a race through the MMRF, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, if one ever comes to Seattle.

As far as breast cancer goes, my grandmother had it (she’s passed away now, but was actually a breast cancer survivor), two friends currently have it, and a couple more friends are in remission.

Cancer frustrates me. No…it infuriates me. It could make me feel helpless if I let it. But I can do something about it by taking part in the Race for the Cure, and so can you. Start training now if you aren’t a runner (which is why I started today), and take part in a few other races between now and when the Race will be in your area.

Even now, as my knee, shins, and ankles ache, it’s a good ache. I feel like I just kicked cancer in the face a little, just by starting this.

Look into the Race for the Cure and start making plans today. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, pledge. Do something!

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Are you new to running, like me? Take a look at these 100 tips for beginning runners.