One particular little rockstar near and dear to my heart was diagnosed with high-risk Neuroblastoma months before her 3rd birthday. When I saw her for the first time since her diagnosis, Caroline was beautifully bald and in an isolated hospital wing. Her immune system was barely existent, but her spirit was amazingly good. The only real color in her face was the dark circles under her eyes, where you could tell she was tired, weak and absolutely over being sick. The only reason I can imagine my heart didn't break was ... hope.
Beyond the bustling of nurses and unrelenting parent anxiety was an impenetrable air of inspiration. Everybody around her was doing everything they could to enable her body to keep fighting. I wanted to do something -- anything -- to make a difference too.
Finally, I have an opportunity to run for a reason much bigger than myself! Struggling through 26 miles will be easy compared to what these kids and their families face on a daily basis. With your help, we can cross the finish line together while getting one step closer to finding a cure for childhood cancer.
- Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food
- Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90%, and they won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
- St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
Caroline's contagious smile is back and she continues to be a rockstar. I'm hoping to mirror her mojo in New Orleans!
