Monday, October 4, 2010

This one is for Miss Captain Badass

We call ourselves Team Familia because when cancer tried to tear our family down, it only made us stronger. Since we have been running as Team Familia, for me familia stands for so much more than just blood. For me, it's my GVC Familia, my Badger Familia, my KIPP Team and Familia, and of course our ACS Familia. Being part of the endurance community has been amazing and I continue to be inspired and motiviated by the people I meet.
The backbone of the ACS Familia is Emily Phillips. She is known by many as "Captain Badass". She truly is one of the coolest gals I know, not to mention she has a constant positive attitude and fun sense of humor that is simply contagious.
This summer she participated in a 3 mile race- making her my official hero, we all know how I feel about the water. This summer she for sure motivated me to get my butt out in the water when I didn't want to. I share with you her story:

In July of 2002, while I was home from college and enjoying my summer vacation, unaware of what life was about to bestow upon me – I was diagnosed with bone cancer - a malignant fibrous histiocytoma sarcoma to be exact. It's rare. MFH Sarcoma only accounts for 1% of the new cancer cases in children each year. It is a soft tissue cancer, but mine happened to be inside of my femur. Bone cancer? How did I go from a slight pain in my leg to a tumor? Young people get cancer?

My world was turned upside down. Instead of going back to school to start my junior year of college, I was thrown into the medical world. RUSH was my new home away from home. Nurses became my new best friends and there became a new sense of normal in our family. Blood counts, hourly temperature checks, baldness, what sounds good to eat today, medications, buckets, and hospital stays just becomes part of the normal, everyday routine. This should not be anyone’s normal, but there was no other choice.

From August of 2002 to December of 2003, I did 22 rounds of chemo. I spent 182 days in the hospital at Rush – my Mom probably stayed with me 181 of those days. Looking back, I don't know how I did it - I don't know how we did it.

On October 31, 2002 I had limb salvage surgery to remove the tumor that was inside my femur. Removing the tumor meant that they had to take out the lower 6 inches of my femur, along with 2 quad muscles, and replace it with a modular oncology prosthesis – a titanium rod of sorts. As a result of the surgery I am able to walk, dance and swim but unable to run, jump, or do high impact activities. If I’m being honest, I never really liked running anyways – nor was I that good at it. I am lucky. 10 years ago, if you had a bone tumor in your leg, they used to amputate, so I’m lucky to be able to do the things that I can. This is why swimming is a big deal to me.

Swimming is one of the 'sports' that I can do - it is a low impact workout that leaves my leg pain free. I may not be able to run and jump or walk for miles - but I can swim. Training for this race gives me a goal to work towards. I can only imagine the feeling that I will have as I cross that finish line, knowing I just swam 3 miles in the open water. I think I could consider myself an athlete after finishing that race.

I wouldn't change going through the cancer experience. It makes you appreciate the important things in life. I’m doing this race in memory of my friend James – who taught me it’s ok to eat Doritos, drink Coke, and do laps in the hospital with your IV pole while on chemo. I’m also doing this race in honor of the “Gimpy Gang” – James, Kelly O, and Lindsay – as you have all been there, done that.

Emily has been working hard all season leading up to this 10-10-10 event to make sure that this weekend is awesome for our DetermiNation athletes. However, this weekend she is going to have to participate from the sidelines. I know this must frustrate her and so this weekend, Jenn and I run this race for her. Another blurb from an email she sent today:

Last Tuesday, I went to my orthopaedic surgeon at RUSH because I was having some leg pain and thought I needed to get it checked out. While I was there, the prosthesis in my leg cracked completely in half. This is the prosthesis that was put in my leg when I had my bone tumor removed. I'm extremely lucky that this happened while I was at the doctor's office, otherwise I would have needed to go to the hospital via ambulance. I was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and had surgery this past Thursday to replace the prosthesis in my leg. I'm grateful that it is a problem that could be fixed, and not a cancer or tumor related problem.



I took the liberty to include a pic she posted on facebook to show how badass she truly is. Get stronger soon Emily so you can join me in the pool! Or you know, maybe join us at a bar for a celebratory beer :) (or two)


As always, any donation is always greatly appreciated :)

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Only 5 weeks till 10-10-10! Where has the time gone??

First off, thank you so much to everybody who came out to our annual fundraiser :) We were able to make close to $1000!!!! Keep on eye for details for next year, we hope to make the event even BIGGER :)

It's already September 5, 2010! My 1/2 Ironman has come and gone. I didn't finish in the way I hoped, but had an AMAZING experience. I also had a LOT of time to be at one with my thoughts :) and truly had time to think and reflect on the past couple of years. (besides the focus I was trying to maintain on my race and my body, your mind starts to wander..) I feel very lucky to have such amazing and positive people in my life :)

This weekend I'll be heading up to Madison to cheer on Kristin and Heath for Ironman 2010!!! I'll be volunteering on Observatory Drive near the boathouse (one of my all time favorite spots on campus) from 11-3. Fingers crossed for nice weather for the athletes!! I then plan on signing up for Ironman Wisconsin 2011!!! I hope I get an entry :/ This will be a year to see how far I can really push myself. Working at KIPP is no easy schedule, so I will need to figure out how to organize and prioritize to fit in training for an Ironman. Max Multisport, you'll see me in the water again after the marathon :) I have work to do.

I will be posting a marathon blog soon, with updates for spectators on how to cheer. This year I'm looking for friends who might be willing to jump in at various points to keep me company along the way. While my 5-10 mile tempo runs have been faster than ever, my long runs have been SLOW making me nervous for how this marathon is going to turn out :/

As always, thanks everybody for your support. Together we can say screw you cancer! We are STRONGER than you.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY10Illinois?px=5131338&pg=personal&fr_id=27163

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

It's time again for our annual Team Familia Fundraiser

Come celebrate life with us!
Friday, June 4, 2010 starting at 7pm
SHEFFIELD'S BEER GARDEN
$10 suggested donation will get you 1 raffle ticket, appetizers and discounted drinks
(with option to purchase more tickets. NO PRESSURE to donate)
We would love to have your positive energy for a night of celebrating life as the official marathon season kicks off :)

Sheffield's Beer Garden and BBQ Restaurant

Monday, April 12, 2010

2010 SEASON!!!!

It's that time of year again! This summer race season brings new races and new challenges as Veronica will be attempting a HALF IRONMAN in Racine, WI and Jennifer is working on SPEED to work her way towards a PR to eventually earn a BOSTON qualifier :) (In addition to several other races along the way :) ).
The CHICAGO MARATHON is the event that we love the most! We're excited to participate in another year :) As always, thanks for your support :)
We're kicking of the 2010 summer race season with our newest member of
Team Familia.. CHUCK ARON! Chuck is running the Chicago Marathon as part of an effort to promote MIND, BODY and SOUL, raising funds for the Alzheimer's Association, the American Cancer Society and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. THANKS FOR JOINING CHUCK!!!!!!
TO JOIN OUR TEAM AND TO DONATE, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW!!!
STAY TUNED FOR GREAT EVENTS COMING UP!!!



Sunday, January 31, 2010

Chicago Marathon


Well it's the day before the Chicago Marathon opens for 2010 and already excited. 2009 Chicago Marathon was something I'll never forget. We had video cameras following us the ENTIRE way of the race. They captured the cheering and the FIGHTING! But ended up a good race. I always end a marathon with a "I really don't like marathons very much" but sign up again the next year.
We raised about $1500!!!!!! for ACS and can't wait to see what this year brings!
(Link for video and for donation page to come soon)

This was truly a TEAM FAMILIA race. We had everybody behind us and it was AMAZING :)

Monday, October 5, 2009

It's been a while since the last post...

Well the Chicago Triathlon has come and gone. It was AMAZING to be so supported. Thanks to all of the family and friends who cheered me on, especially during my dreaded swim. Ah the swim. The swim has and always will be the most difficult part for me. When I first decided that I was going to start doing triathlons last year, I could barely swim the length of a pool! This summer I swam A MILE in LAKE MICHIGAN! Not as fast as some others, but I'll get there. Again, I love being a Charity Athlete for ACS because it keeps me positive and honest. It keeps me active when sometimes all I want to do is stay in bed all day and not face the day. I'm grateful to all the people I've met and I'm not stopping till I cross that Ironman finish line With the Chicago Marathon less than a week a way, I'm excited and nervous, as always. I'm confident this race is going to be fun, I just hope that I can muscle through to get a PR along side Jenn. As always, we run for Familia. Through tough times, turn to whatever gets you through to help keep you positive :)!


THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!! CLICK BELOW TO DONATE :)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

THANKS! and welcome to the Team KRISTIN!

Thanks to everybody who came out to the kick-off celebration.
So far this season we've already raised $825 :)!!!!
We're also welcoming our newest member of the team: Kristin Williams :) She'll be racing in her first Chicago Triathlon this Aug 30 as a member of Team Familia for the American Cancer Society :)
Pics from the party:

As always, thanks for the support!!!
Click below to join / donate :)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

TIME TO PARTY! Team Familia Annual Fundraiser!


Its time for Team Familia's annual American Cancer Society marathon kick-off party. Help us start off the training season by coming out to Zella's. A $10 donation- (all proceeds will go towards our fundraising efforts) will get you a wristband to get discounted drinks from 8-11pm. We'll also have a raffle with chances to win some awesome prizes! 
Hope to see you there!

Where: Zella's 1983 N. Clybourn Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
When: Saturday, June 13, 2009 8:00pm


As always, THANKS for the support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Volunteer for ACS!!! Check out Michelle in action:

Want to be involved but not sure if you are ready to lace up for a race yet? Volunteer for ACS!!! Volunteers are key components to making our races successful events and raising money for the ACS Charity Runner Program. The program is based on the efforts of fantastic volunteers so that more money can go directly to the cause.
Check out Michelle and her students in action at the Soldier Field 10, May 24, 2009!!
Interested in volunteering??????
Contact Nick Huertas at Nick.Huertas@cancer.org

























As always, Thanks for the Support!!!!
DONATE / JOIN OUR TEAM!!!!
Click below to donate / join our team :)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

2009 Charity Athlete Kick Off

Join the Charity Athlete Committee and special guest Carey Pinkowski from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as we kick off the running season and the Charity Athlete program. The 2009 Charity Athlete Kick Off will be a fun morning, with great information about training, fundraising, apparel, nutrition and American Cancer Society programs. Bring a friend! Breakfast will be provided

* Win Great Raffle Prizes Including a FREE entry into the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, ACS running gear and Chicago Cubs Tickets

*FREE Charity Runner Registration at Event
filled
Saturday, May 2nd @ 9 AM - Fleet Feet Sports (1620 N Wells St)
Click Here for more information and to RSVP

http://main.acsevents.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=108865

Pics from the event!!!!!





Link to Donate and / or Join the team coming this May 2, 2009!!!!

Stay tuned....

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Jenn's Race History....



I just would like to add that the American Cancer Society is the only reason that I decided to step-up to the challenge of a marathon. If I hadn't discovered the Charity Runners program, I would've not even considered it seriously. Thanks to that much needed motivation, I have discovered a hobby and lifestyle that I love.

2007
Shamrock Shuffle
Soldier Field10
Chicago Marathon

2008
Disney World Marathon
Nashville Half
Soldier Field 10
Attempted Alaska full but due to a broken ankle only ran the Alaska 5miler
Chicago Half
Chicago Marathon

2009
New Orleans Half
Shamrock Shuffle-
March 29, 2009- 50:05, includes a full body dive into the pavement (not on purpose of course, it was wet and cold!)
Chicago Marathon- October 11, 2009
not sure what else we're signing up for at the moment

Veronica's Race History....



2007 was the year that we began our involvement with the ACS Charity Runner program, so I'll start there

2007
Shamrock Shuffle
Soldier Field 10
Chicago Marathon
Disney Marathon

2008
Soldier Field 10
Madison Wisconsin Crazy Legs
Harbor Lights Sprint Triathlon
Chicago Accenture Sprint Distance Triathlon
Chicago Marathon

2009
Shamrock Shuffle-
March 29, 2009- Holy Cold and Slushy! 8K at 52:02 NOT exactly a PR
"13.1"- June 7, 2009
Chicago Olympic Distance Triathlon- August 30, 2009
Chicago Marathon- October 11, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

The ones we run for...


Those we honor:

Dad

Dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April of 2007, and passed shortly after on September 10, 2007.
He was an awesome dad and not a day goes by that we don't miss him.



Tia Silvia
Cancer first hit close to home when Tia Siliva battled breast cancer over 10 years ago. Although she lived many full years after that period, as the cancer remained in remission, her cancer came back strong in 2007. Tia Silvia passed in October of 2007, 3 short weeks after Dad. She was very much loved by her husband and family, and is still dearly missed.



Tia Maria
Check out her published story below!
Maria is a survivor of colon cancer. She is healthy today and one of those most amazing human beings I know.
http://www.alemana.cl/alemana_noticias/Alemana_abril_2008.pdf





We also honor all familias affected by cancer, especially





PLEASE POST / COMMENT ADD YOUR FAMILIA STORIES