Before yesterday, I had never run in an official race. Before yesterday, I had never been interviewed on the radio. Yesterday, I accomplished both.
First came the race — a 2-mile run prior to the University of Florida Homecoming parade. It was my warm-up for the 5K Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event that takes place next Saturday. I plan to run that one too, despite my near-passing-out state at yesterday’s finish line and the extra mile I somehow have to accomplish one week from now.
I know I will find a way to run 3.1 miles next week. And I plan to think of my Ohio friend Amy while I do it — my friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after me, my friend whose cancer just recently spread to her brain and lungs, my friend who died on Thursday at the age of 35. She will fill my mind, and I will pound out each mile in honor of her short 15-month battle with a treacherous disease. I am just $102 short of my $4,000 fundraising goal for Making Strides, and I am thrilled that I will turn this money over to the American Cancer Society — so more women can survive breast cancer.
I spoke about surviving this disease for 30 minutes yesterday with Bruce Wayne of “Sunday Morning along the Coast” on WFLC in Miami. He asked me all sorts of questions about breast cancer, and my answers will reach the 1.5 million people from West Palm Beach to Miami who listen to his show on Sunday mornings. My interview will air on October 15 at 7:00 AM and while I am a bit nervous to hear my voice — and any mistakes I may have made — I am honored I was considered expert enough to speak during this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This opportunity came to me compliments of Emily Anderson — producer of MyBreastCancerNetwork.com — who employs me as a freelance writer.
And so breast cancer continues to propel my future — as I run for breast cancer, speak about breast cancer, and mourn the loss of a friend lost to breast cancer.
Never before have I done any of these things.
Jacki Donaldson