Upcoming races and reminders

Ben and I head back to Pittsburgh for the first time since our move at the end of January. He is looking forward to seeing many of his friends who he still talks about! I am also looking forward to seeing friends, running in Mt. Washington along the beautiful view, and worshiping in our home church on the date of our wedding anniversary. I expect it to be bursting with joy and completely emotional!

Things are getting busy with the 13 in 2013 race initiative and I wanted to be sure to get a post up about some upcoming races as well as reminders about the June races! There are 6 total races between June and July! We have one more June race on June 29. It is the Caledonia Kilt Klassic (5K) in Caledonia, MI. Second confession: I also chose this race based solely on the name in hopes to see some kilts while running. I'll be collecting money for the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.  Aaron was treated in their oncology department as an 8 year old boy when they were still Butterworth Hospital. I hope to write a more detailed post about this early next week but realized I had not really mentioned anything about it yet!

July is packed with emotions and families. Each race is in honor of a friend battling cancer or in memory of family and friends. Here is some brief information about each race so you can begin prayerfully considering how you can impact each of these families. I'll have more information on their stories in the coming week!

Amy and her husband, Jerry, and their children, Riley and Ryan

July 4: Volkslaufe (10K) in Frankenmuth, MI in honor of Amy Sain (childhood cancer survivor and currently being treated for gliosarcoma) and the Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation ("RSG1"). The RSG1 foundation provides support for those, like Amy, who are on the ketogenic diet as an additional avenue to stop tumor growth.

Aaron, Jenny, Ben, and Laura's daughter and our dear friend, Beth

July 13: 3rd Annual Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma 5K Walk/Run (5K) in Pittsburgh, PA (North Park) in memory of Aaron Moeller (nerve sheath sarcoma) and Laura Campbell (liposarcoma) to raise funds for the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

Alyssa and her husband, Jeff, and their son, Kase

July 20: Gopher the Gold (5K) in Shelby Township, MI in honor of Alyssa Wright (diagnosed with cervical cancer) and her young family. All of the funds raised will go directly to this family to help with the numerous medical bills that accompany cancer.

Please remember, I am still collecting monetary donations for Super Sam and the Rutherford family throughout the month of June! Thank you for all of your support!

RHGYC Charity 5K for the Rutherford family: Post Race

Rochester Hills Government Youth Council Charity 5K run/walk

My 6th race is in the books! That means that after I cross the finish line of my next race, I will have completed over half of my 13 in 2013 races! This race was in honor of Chad Rutherford, who is currently in hospice care at the age of 29. He is able to be at home with his wife, Kelly, and their children, Carter (2 1/2 yo) and Madison (3 1/2 mo). Please keep them in your prayers and remember that I will continue to receive donations for them through the month of June.

I can't believe I am almost half way done with that list on my shirt!

As we headed over to the registration tent to check in, we spotted "Captain America." Ben was so excited and joyfully exclaimed, "'Mer-i-keen flags!" He finished in the top 10!

Runners are an interesting group of people.

While we were lined up there was a nice presentation of the funds raised for the Boys and Girls Club of Troy. I obviously was too busy waving in a creepy excited way to Ben to really be paying attention...that is until the guy mentioned how the start of the race would occur

Wow. I had no idea I looked this creepy. No wonder the kids giggle back at me!

And they're off!

I used to run cross country on my middle school and high school teams so trail running was "the thing" and way better than going around a track 4,309 times. The cross country runner in me came out with excitement thinking about the adventure of hopping mud puddles and tree roots. 

This is when I realized I was running a 7:15 min/mile pace! What!?

However, I morphed into a road runner some time after my high school graduation. I had this realization at approximately mile 1.5 when I was no longer enjoying those mud puddles covered in wood chips. Despite my obvious transformation away from trail running, I managed to beat my best high school cross country time! I ran 24:28 (7:50 min/mile pace), which is my second fastest 5K of this race series, my personal record for a trail race, and I took second overall female and first in my age group (25-29 female)!

No one ever said running was pretty

After the race, we played on the playground and enjoyed the beautiful morning. Ben is growing so quickly and is now big enough to sit on the playground animals on his own!

Let's ride, Ducky!

This is a baby swing. I am clearly a big boy.

Another perk of running races is the great excuse to stuff your face after crossing the finish line. A bonus of being the son of a runner is that Mamma will feed you.

Chocolate chip cookie at 9:00 am?  Thanks!

Why yes! I will chase that cookie with a donut hole!

Can you believe that the 13 in 2013 donation total is $1,755!?!? I cannot! I had hoped to maybe hit $1,000 by my 13th race in November. I never imagined we would fly right by and be running full steam toward $2,000 by the middle of June! Thank you!

Mamma, quit messing around. This motorcycle riding is serious business.

Despite my race time and the many happy pictures, this race was very difficult for me emotionally and I felt it physically through my entire race. It was the day before Father's Day and shortly after finding out that Chad Rutherford, the beneficiary of all 13 in 2013 funds raised for this race, had been placed in to hospice care. Knowing another young family is walking the same painful path we did only 5 months ago tears my heart out. It brings back a flood of memories and emotions. More so, I want to be able to take all the hurt and pain upon myself so no one else would ever need to walk down that road. I wish I could become the "road closed" sign. However, I am not able but God is. He is able to carry any burden we lay at His feet and He gives us His strength, His perseverance, His peace. Amen! Praise God!

RHGYC Charity 5K benefitting the Rutherford family in 1 day!

Whew! I am ready for the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council Charity 5K! It is going to feel really good to be done running at 3.1 miles instead of being just half way done like my past 2 races.

I am also humbled and grieved to be helping this family in great need of prayer and encouragement. Chad Rutherford, his wife, Kelly, and their 2 children (Carter - 2 1/2, Madison - 3 1/2 months) have been through a whirlwind, roller coaster ride of bad and unexpected news over the past 6 months. Chad was diagnosed with advanced-stage rectal cancer on December 21, 2012 and learned that it it had spread to his liver.

I have recently learned that Chad has been placed into hospice care. Please be in prayer for this family! I know that God can do all things including healing a man of his cancer and strengthening the broken, fearful heart of his wife. It is still a time full of uncertainty and sorrow.

Please be in prayer for Chad. By accepting hospice care he has elected to not receive any additional treatment for his cancer. Pray that God would give him the strength and heart to continue to show his wife and children immeasurable love and courage. Pray that this time, though filled with unknowns and heartache, will be filled with blessings for his family.

Please be in prayer for Kelly. She is caring for her husband as well as their son and daughter. Just caring for two young children is exhausting, just caring for a husband with cancer is exhausting. Doing both at the same time takes perseverance, grace, and love that is beyond our human ability. Pray for her to focus on her beloved and cherish this time with him.

Pray for their children, Carter and Madison, during this time of stress and anxiety. Pray that they will be showered with love and feel peace. I ask you to pray that God would cement at least one beautiful memory of their daddy into their minds that will never fade.

A card Carter made for his daddy

Pray for Chad's and Kelly's parents, siblings, and friends as they are walking this journey with them. Pray that their hearts would be moved and that God would give them wisdom about how to encourage and help this young family.

Family and friends, please consider how you can help this family in their greatest time of need. Prayers are crucial and financial contributions are appreciated.

In addition to my "13 in 2013" fundraising efforts, a "Team Rutherford Benefit Dinner" will be held at Mangia Pizza in Westland, MI on Wednesday, June 26 from 5-8. If you are in the southeast Michigan area or up for a visit out this way, please consider joining those who are coming together to support the Rutherfords.

I'll be at the dinner because I like to eat. I got that trait from my daddy!

13 in 2013 donation total : $1,755! Please remember that I will be receiving donations for Super Sam, and the Rutherford family throughout the month of June. I also have a race benefitting the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, where Aaron was originally treated for his childhood cancer, coming up on June 29th.

Upcoming Races
June 29: Caledonia Kilt Klassic (5K) in Caledonia, MI. I will be running in support of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

July 4: Volkslaufe (10K) in Frankenmuth, MI. I am honored to run on behalf of Amy Sain (diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in her brain) and the Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation ("RSG1")
July 13: 3rd Annual Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma 5K Walk/Run (5K) in Pittsburgh, PA (North Park). I, along with the other members of The Great Lakers team, will be running in memory of Aaron Moeller (nerve sheath sarcoma) and Laura Fellows Campbell (liposarcoma) to raise funds for the Sarcoma Foundation of America
July 20: Gopher the Gold (5K) in Shelby Township, MI. I am honored to run on behalf of Alyssa Wright (diagnosed with cervical cancer) and her young family

August 7: Red Carpet Run (5K) in West Bloomfield, MI. I will be running in support of the Hillman Cancer Center

September 8: Montour Trail half-marathon (13.1 mi) in Pittsburgh, PA (Montour Trail). I will be running in support of The Gideons International 

October 13: Step UP for Down Syndrome Walk in Grand Rapids, MI. I will be walking in honor of Ellie Helmus and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan

November 2: Give Kids the World 5K Gingerbread Run (5K) in Kissimmee, FL. I will be running in support of Give Kids the World

Completed Races
Kona Run (10K) - 51:22     Donation Total on 6/8/13 - $1,175
Fifth Third River Bank Run (10K) - 51:37 
MOM 5K walk/run (5K) - 24:14
Run with the Cops, not from Them (5K) - 24:32 
Passion for Life (5K) - 26:27   

RHGYC Charity 5K walk/run benefitting the Rutherford Family

As I was registering for my second June race, I was informed that the one I intended to run, the Detroit Rhythm Run, is in the process of being rescheduled due to construction interfering with the course. Yup, it is orange cone season here in MI. Also, for those who know me and my type A-ness, you know how much it bothers me that my shirt will not match up with my races. Anyway, I digress.

I will still be running in honor of a brave young man and his young family. Chad Rutherford was diagnosed with colorectal cancer the day before Aaron was admitted to the hospital with confusion in December of 2012. The race I will now be running to raise money and awareness for this family is the Rochester Hills Government Youth Counsel Charity 5K walk/run. Despite having a husband with cancer, a 2 year old little boy, and a 3 month old daughter, Chad's wife, Kelly, was able to find time to tell us their story:

Chad and Kelly on their wedding night

"The symptoms all started back in May of 2012...constipation, cramps...back and abdominal pain. After visiting urgent care and a primary care physician multiple times, he was diagnosed with hemorrhoids (with no exam). One of the doctors I work for is a GI doctor out of Providence Hospital, so in December I sent him there. He had a colonoscopy on 12/19/12...I'll never forget that day.

Chad, Kelly, Carter, and Madison (in the womb)

It was taking forever and I was 7 months pregnant with our daughter and had a 2 year old son waiting at home. Usually when the doctor comes out after the colonoscopy, he talks to you at the bedside. When the nurse said he wanted to meet with us in the conference room, I knew it was bad. He said "So, your colon looks good, however I did find a mass in the rectum." I literally felt my world crush. What does he mean "mass?" "Could it be something else?" I asked through tears..."There's always a chance but this is highly suspicious..." I thought I was going to be sick. Then he said, "I'm setting up at CAT scan for tomorrow to see if it has gone anywhere else..." So on 12/20/12, Chad went to have the scan done with his brother and uncle and I went to work.

Carter and Daddy

On December 21, 2012, we saw our first oncologist, who gave us the results of the biopsy first. "It is cancer." Oh. My. Goodness. This isn't happening! But it was...then she left the room saying she was going to look at the CAT scan. When she came back in, someone was with her, a social worker...that's when we knew it was bad. She did an abdominal exam and asked if it hurts when she pushed on the upper right side of his abdomen... "Yes...this isn't going well at all is it?" Chad said. He came and sat back down next to me..."It has spread to your liver," said the doctor. We both lost it...we had many questions that she couldn't answer - what are his chances? how long does he have? We came home and talked with his family. Chad couldn't even look at our son. We got Dr. Jeffrey Margolis' name from a friend of Chad’s who's girlfriend's mom was being treated by him and said he was the best. Chad started chemotherapy the first week of January and began to see Dr. Margolis, who has given us nothing but hope. Going thru chemotherapy was hard enough let alone going from one child to two at the same time. Our daughter was born February 25, 2013. Thank God that Chad was here for that.

Madison and Daddy

He was supposed to have his 1st surgery on April 26, 2013 to remove the rectal mass and do some liver clean up so they stopped chemo in preparation for it. Since being off chemo, all the masses have grown and have begun blocking the bile ducts. He's now had 3 drains put in his liver to drain the bile...now he is losing blood and going on his 4th transfusion this week (week of 5/13/13). We are still hoping & praying for a cure. Thank you for all of your help."

Carter and Madison - Aren't they adorable!?!?!

Parenthood is difficult on its own. Going from one to two children is a beautiful challenge. My heart breaks that this family had to take that step with cancer trying to steal their joy, redirect their focus from family to fear. Please pray for the Rutherford family. Please consider if you can also help relieve the financial burden cancer brings. Thank you.

How can you help Chad Rutherford and his family? 1. Donate: By Check - Please send a check made to the "Aaron R. Moeller Memorial Fund" and indicate the Rutherford family in the notes section. If you need my mailing address, please send me an e-mail or leave a comment with your e-mail address so I may reply privately.  I will be taking donations for the Rutherford family through the month of June even after "their race" is completed!

2. Run: Come check out Rochester Hills with me! You can register online. Be sure to let me know so I can look for you!

3. Spread the word: Please tell your friends and family by sharing the link to this post on your Facebook or in an e-mail...

4. Pray:
* Pray for healing for Chad - pray that his liver function will improve, that he will be eligible for surgery
* Praise that they are receiving such good care from their oncologist and that they were lead to him
* Pray for wisdom for his medical care team to determine the next course of action, whether it be surgery or beginning chemotherapy again or taking another approach
* Praise for the medical era in which we live, that scans, therapies, and specialists are available and knowledgeable
* Pray for Chad, that he will be filled with a courage and peace, that he shows patience and love his wife and children, and that he will be able to enjoy those around him despite his pain and discomfort
* Pray for Kelly, that she will be granted wisdom as she juggles caring for Chad, her children, and possibly working, that she will be given compassion, grace, and perseverance as she walks this exhausting path
* Pray for Carter and Madison, that they will be filled with peace and feel the deep, wide, and great love of their parents toward them
* Please also pray for the runners and the fundraising of the race and this race series

Thank you so much for helping Mr. Rutherford and his family

Thank you so much for your generosity of time and money.