My mother was first diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2011. We looked for an organization that supported women diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and their families, but really couldn’t find many resources. We found a group in New Jersey, which while very helpful, was far. We continued to look and found Tell Every Amazing Lady®. Tell Every Amazing Lady® is an amazing organization! My mother found so much support bonding with her “sisters” and loved the weekly Wednesday mediation groups. In February 2022 when we learned my mother would need to begin in-home hospice and I was eight months pregnant, we reached out to Tell Every Amazing Lady® and they linked my sister, dad, and I to amazing services and sent care packages. Even after my mother passed, they have been in touch with us and provided support and strength.
My goal in running the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half is to honor the legacy of my mother and her memory. The Half is on the two-year anniversary of her passing. Last year, as it was the first anniversary, I spent the morning in bed crying and listening to sad songs that made me think of her. While I needed to do that last year to get through the day, this year I want to do something special and productive to honor my mother. I could think of no better way than to do that by running for her and raising money for an organization that she loved, and that is helping so many women and their families.
Running has been a passion of mine for years. I don’t really think of myself as athletic (I’ve never been particularly at sports), but with running it’s just you against you. I just get lost in my thoughts and listening to music. In a lot of ways, it’s extremely therapeutic.
I am running for my special lady, my mother. I just want her to know that she is a warrior! She fought so hard and is the strongest woman I know! I am so lucky she is mine!
Ovarian Cancer is the 5th cause of cancer related deaths in women and the number 1 cause of gynecologic cancer deaths. There is no effective way to screen for Ovarian Cancer. Early detection is key to fighting the disease, but often very difficult to do. Tell Every Amazing Lady® is helping the Ovarian Cancer community in so many ways. It helps those diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, and their families. As Ovarian Cancer is not a diagnosis often discussed, it doesn’t always receive the financial support as other conditions. Tell Every Amazing Lady® can benefit greatly from your support. Please consider donating to an amazing cause.
To donate to Darleen, please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s 2024 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon fundraising page. To apply for a future marathon, or to learn more, please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s half-marathon page today.
