When I signed up for this race, I was torn between fundraising options. I wasn't sure if I should run for my dad's surgical division like I did in 2020, or should I run for the Labor & Delivery team who brought my son safely into the world in 2021 (a story for another day). Never in my wildest dreams did I think there would be a third reason. 

I knew that once I turned 40, preventive mammograms would begin as part of my routine care. I scheduled my first one a few months after my birthday to simply "check the box" and make sure everything was fine. Two mammograms, two biopsies and two surgeries later, I am a cancer patient. Me. How was this possible? No family history, no symptoms, no idea that this could be my reality. But here I am. As I'm about to start my treatment journey, first with chemo, then radiation, I don't know what June 25th will look like for me. Will I run, walk, or simply not be able to participate? TBD. But what I do know, is that I signed up for this race, and I made a commitment to fundraise for a (new) cause that is very important to me. 

I chose the Breast Care Center this year, as they were my first stop on this unplanned journey. They were the ones that carefully and thoroughly took the images, reviewed them, scanned again, and weren't willing to take any chances on what they saw. From the start, I have been met with such compassionate, caring and educated staff at BWH and BWFH. They're incredible at what they do. 

This is my small way of bringing awareness to the importance of routine care. 

This may not be the comeback year I was hoping for... but B.A.A. 10k 2024 - I'm coming for you!!!

Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital (BWFH) care for patients across New England, throughout the United States, and from 120 countries around the world. Every day, our clinicians, researchers, and caregivers work to find new ways to predict, prevent, and treat the most challenging diseases of our time while delivering world-class care with a profoundly human touch. Our Brigham 10K Teammates are proud to fuel quality patient care, innovative training, and life-changing discoveries that will benefit patients here in Boston and around the world, all in support of an area that is meaningful to them.

Thank you for supporting this extraordinary group of runners.