Let’s Go

Join me in supporting real change. Let’s support good in the world and make a difference. Help us for Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, Inc.

Why do I want to run for CBTF? I will tell you a story.

I ran track in high school with a friend. Her name was Diana. Diana was a force! She brought pure joy and love to everyone. She had the greatest giving spirit. She was an amazing, accomplished scientist and professor. Her daughter and my son were born on the same day just twelve hours apart. We were 34. Diana’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare pediatric brain tumor near her pituitary gland at the age of 4. We were 38. Thankfully, they were able to remove most of the tumor with surgery and it did not continue to grow. Diana continued to run multiple marathons and other races as an adult, I hadn’t run in almost ten years. We hadn’t seen each other for twenty years (thank goodness for Facebook). She had to be at a conference in my city and we decided to have dinner. We were 39. At dinner I mentioned that I wanted to run the Chicago Marathon when I turned 40. She grabbed my hand and said she would run it with me. I was so taken aback by her excitement and genuine support, it scared me, and I chickened out. Four months after we were supposed to run the marathon together, Diana was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. Diana fought her tumor vigorously. She continued to run AND win races while going through treatment. She finally succumbed to her tumor on New Year’s Eve. We were 41. I pledged to run the Chicago Marathon with the ABTA, in her honor, the following year. Diana’s family was so supportive as I trained for this seemingly impossible feat. I was 42. I ran my first marathon with my friend’s spirit and her family’s love. Diana’s sister, Elene Nemergut, has been on a running journey for several years now and has run more than one marathon. She and I would like to run the 2024 Chicago Marathon together as a show of sisterhood in honor of both Diana’s Legacy and her daughter Neva’s survival. I will be 50. I have known too many people who have had brain tumors, my cousin, my neighbor, my coworker’s son, a former patient, and yet another classmate. Now there is research that is showing promise against glioblastoma. If I can help forward that research to save anyone else’s loved one, I will do what I can. 26.2 miles is nothing compared to the fight all of the brain tumor patients go through.

Just a small donation will go a long way to helping me meet my goal for Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, Inc.