I was 3 months away from running the Boston Marathon in 2018 when I found out that I had ovarian cancer.
The more I learned about ovarian cancer, the bigger my personal vendetta against the disease grew. I felt guilty that I was lucky to have a slow growing version that allowed me to catch my cancer at stage one. I couldn’t believe how low the survival rate is and how easy it was to dismiss the symptoms as those experienced by “a woman of a certain age”. I became passionate about sharing my experience with anyone who would listen and fundraising with the hope for a world without ovarian cancer.
I roared back the following year, requalified and was all set to run the Boston Marathon in April 2020 when Covid hit in March. I ran a virtual Boston Marathon in my hometown that year, and then finally made it to Boston to run in person in October 2021. Shortly before reaching my 5-year cancer free anniversary, I ran the Chicago Marathon in October 2022. Cancer is not going to stop me.
My husband, Mark (who is biggest supporter) and I became a dynamic fundraising duo, using each race as an opportunity to be among at the top ovarian cancer fundraisers in all of Canada.
I’m very excited to take the show on the road and to have the opportunity to run my 3rd World Marathon Major. And most importantly, I’m eager to continue my fundraising efforts to defeat this evil cancer through Team Tell Every Amazing Lady® at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.
To donate to Traci, 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.
