Hope's Polar Bears: Fighting to End Colon Cancer

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Hope's Polar Bears
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On Friday, June 26, 2009, I was hit with the news that my very best friend in the whole world -- my mom -- had Stage IV colon cancer, with 99% blockage in her colon and tumors in her liver and lymph nodes.  Immediately my family was hit with a flurry of emotions.  Google gave us scary statistics.  And doctors gave us scary choices.

Months later, mom's surgery was successful with limited complications and after six months of chemotherapy, we recently received the news that mom's cancer is in COMPLETE REMISSION!!! 

 

 

Not only is my mom my BFF, she's also the strongest, most amazing woman I've ever known.  It's really no wonder that I'm as stubborn and feisty as I am...I learned from the best!  I'm so very proud to call her my mother.

 

To celebrate my mom's strength and courageous fight -- plus a successful end to chemo -- I'm gathering people to run in her honor at the "Undy 5000," an annual 5k run/1-mile walk in Forest Park to raise awareness about colon cancer, hosted by the Gateway Chapter of the Colon Cancer Alliance. 

 

Our team: Hope's Polar Bears

 

Polar bears are a silly joke between my mom and me (long story) -- but they're also the most loyal, loving moms within the animal kingdom.  Also, in Shamanism, polar bears represent strength in the face of adversity.  That fits my mom perfectly.

 

And why hope?  Well, hopefully at least one person will hear about this race and schedule a colonoscopy -- and in doing so, avoid the pain and fear that my family has endured.  And then hopefully someone else who's in the middle of battling cancer -- colon or otherwise -- will be inspired to keep fighting...just like my mom.  And then hopefully someday there will be a cure.  Lots and lots of hope.  Some days, that's all we have.

 

Thank you so much for your support of the Undy 5000 -- whether you've contributed through a donation or by registering to join Hope's Polar Bears on Saturday, March 27.  Every little bit adds up to make a big difference. 

 

To learn more about my mom and her fight to beat colon cancer, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/formymom.

  

 

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