When I was 11 years old, my Grandma Jones passed away from ovarian cancer. I cherish the memories I have of us discussing our favorite Thanksgiving traditions at my elementary school grandparent’s day, her supporting me at my first gymnastics meet, and my family visiting her at her house on the lake. While I hold these memories dear to my heart, I had lost all 4 of my grandparents in elementary school and didn’t get a chance to know them very well. As I got older and watched my friends’ relationships with their grandparents evolve, I wished I had had the chance to develop more mature relationships with my own grandparents, hearing more of their stories and learning from their advice. Devoted to serving others through her involvement in her church and various charitable organizations, I can’t think of a better way to honor my grandma than dedicating my time and fundraising efforts to Team Tell Every Amazing Lady® to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, support patients and survivors, and fund medical research.
In addition to honoring my grandma, I’m passionate about promoting women’s health and wellness. Growing up with two sisters and having attended an all-girls school, I’ve always been dedicated to supporting and empowering women. Advancing education and awareness around women’s health is at the core of this.
I love running because it clears my mind, challenges me to persevere, and reminds me of how amazing and capable my body is. I also love that it gets me outside and helps me explore new parts of NYC. Having been a goal of mine for the past few years, I’m excited to run my first marathon at age 26 (almost exactly 26.2 years old on race day in fact)!
I can’t wait to run with Team Tell Every Amazing Lady® in honor of my grandma and all the incredible women in my life!
To donate to Erica, please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s 2024 TCS New York City Marathon fundraising page. To apply for a future marathon, or to learn more, please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s marathon page today.
