Be Good. Be Strong.

10 years ago, the ball was set in motion to become a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team for the first time. My older sister, Molly, lost her life to cancer a few months before, and 2 of my other siblings, Mary and John, were in the thick of continued treatments. It was the right time for me to do something. Over the coming 3 years, cancer’s impact on our family would continue to grow as both John and Mary lost their lives to this horrid disease. They inspired me to take the first steps and have carried me over the miles every year since.

For the last 5 years, to support the fundraising for innovative cancer research, we’ve designed “be good. be strong.” shirts and offered them for sale, which not only provides much needed funds for cancer research, but helps to spread this message that has become a mantra for us and for so many. It's something that we can remember every day, whether it's heading in for radiation treatment or just holding the door for someone. It is a reminder to us all to live with kindness and respect and strength for those we love and for what we believe.

The design this year incorporates an image representative of Molly, Mary and John:

For Molly, a full moon that she wrote about when going through treatment. The picture is from a few days before she died. She was in the hospital and friends and family members gathered on the Walnut St. bridge in Chattanooga to dance in the light of the moon. Each full moon, we are reminded to “reflect on the great gifts of friendships and the support we give each other. It is a wonderful opportunity to consider that so many different people in so many different places have paused to think of each other and the many blessings we have.”

For Mary, the image is from the picture below. She had just found out the most hopeful of treatment options had failed and she went to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. This picture was captured of her on the beach and is representative of the attitude with which she lived. Always hopeful and positive.

For John, a mountain. The mountains of Montana called John out west and he found great happiness capturing beautiful moments in the mountains through photography. To me, the mountains also represent quiet strength which is how I always see my brother.

I hope in this 10th year of running and the 5th year of sharing our message through shirts, that you will consider purchasing a shirt or sweatshirt and wear it proudly on Marathon Monday. I run for Molly, Mary and John and hundreds of others who have been affected by cancer. All funds raised will go directly to research to help find new and effective treatments for all types of cancer.

Thank you so much for all you have done to help in this effort over the last 10 years. Each step, we are closer but we're not done yet! Help us be the change we need!

be good. be strong.

With gratitude,
Jennie