#363: What Does it Mean to LIVESTRONG?

Shelia (behind the thumb), Teri, Pam, Melissa, Ruthie,
Pennsy, Carrie Lynne, Ladonna, Chelsea, Dee Dee

A new PR in the 5K

I've been thinking about  "the girls." At the gym, they call us the "Survivors," the ones who made it. They are amazing women. It's some kind of accident of fate that I'm one of them... but then, who can complain about being the only boy in such a bevy of beauties? They are some of the toughest people I know, and I want to be like them. If you knew them, you would to. They have taught me what it means to LIVESTRONG.

When a doctor points to a blotch on a CT scan image and gives you a 50/50 chance of living ... then tells you that if you give up you will surely die... and you choose to live... that's Living STRONG.


When it's a year and a half later and they've told you you're cancer-free... but you know damn well that it could come back tomorrow... and you choose to hope... that's Living STRONG.

Drumming releases dopamine! A
massage for the central nervous system

When you dedicate whatever life God has left you to fighting cancer... your cancer, my cancer, anybody's cancer anywhere... that's Living STRONG.


When you bury a loved one who didn't make it, then lace up your shoes and hit the treadmill,


When you work to get all the garbage that's holding you back out of your life,

When you go to radiation in the morning and the gym in the afternoon,

That's no "survivor," that's a Champion

When you do all you can to make yourself fit for the fight,

When you don't care who you help, as long as you're helping,

When you can barely walk because of the pain in your breast, but you dance anyway,

When you know you're not strong, but you decide to live as if you were,

You're Living STRONG,


Whether you've ever had cancer or not.

Where's Boo-Boo?

This is what we do.

This is who we are.

This is why we run.

I want you to believe... if we can do it... then so can you.

Three hearts that cancer couldn't break

Peace,

Pennsy

If you know someone who could benefit from LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, contact Melissa Bellew or Chris Andrews at the Lexington Northside YMCA, 859-258-9622. You can also contact Melissa by email. Just say that you are calling about the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. The next session starts in October, and there is room for more people.

Oh yeah, One for the Five is doing great. Nearly 40 donors so far... almost $2000 raised. Join us and make a contribution. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the next generation of cancer fighters. Get out your debit card, and click this link. Or email me for my address, and you can mail me a check made out to "Markey Cancer Center Foundation." One for the Five: You write the check, I'll run the miles!