Children with brain tumors deserve much better.

It has often been said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” As a parent - and a bereaved one - the wisdom of this statement holds true. And when it comes to finding a cure for children battling brain tumors, that “village” is equally important, if not more so. My desire to honor the legacy of my sweet son, Rohan, and to expand and strengthen the sense of community that lifted my family during our darkest time is what moves me to action at every opportunity.

Rohan was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was just 7 years old. His short journey of 28 days at Seattle Children’s Hospital showed me the true meaning of Faith, Hope, Love, resilience, positivity, and strength. He would be 18 years old on October 5^th, and November 3^rd will mark 11 years since his passing. The aftermath of loss and grief is exhausting, repetitious and extremely hard...similar to training for a marathon. But I have come to understand and realize that endurance can help turn elusive sorrow into something tangible, like aching muscles and blisters, because such pain can be easily described. I am truly honored to train, endure, and lace up my running shoes for a world marathon major in TCS NYC marathon for my sweet boy, as it presents another opportunity for me to honor his deep Faith, Love, Hope, resilience, strength, and positivity. I want to run in his shoes that can no longer run, breathe the air that he can no longer breathe, and for a few hours subject myself to a small glimmer of the endurance he willed himself through for 28 days. I wholeheartedly take this opportunity too to run for the many children and families affected by brain tumor diagnoses. I care and advocate for awareness, education and funding for advancing research for pediatric brain tumors and partnering with the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) is an avenue for advancement and Hope. CBTF relentlessly invests in improving treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research support, education, and advocacy to families and survivors. CBTF is the nation’s leader in quality of life programs for families impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.

I Hope for the night I can go to bed smiling without a cancer worry in the world.

I Hope for the day when pediatric brain cancer is over and won.

I Hope and look forward to the day when all marathons are big celebration parties where kids can run happily and live healthy once again.

Until then, I will keep Rohan’s Faith and Hope that there are many beautiful things waiting for our precious kids.

Until you see a brain tumor firsthand, it is hard to conceive how brutal it really is. But to the parents who face this reality, my plea is this: Never Give Up Hope, because Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.

THANK YOU for your support, and for giving me the opportunity to run NYC for the cause that is closest to my heart. I fundraise in the Hope of a future where all pediatric brain tumors have a cure, and all children have the opportunity to thrive.

From my family and I, the CBTF and all of those impacted by the heart-breaking diagnosis of a brain tumor.