I've noticed a clear link between my feelings towards running/my overall "success" when I'm running for a cause greater versus when I'm just running for me. Because I started running with the mission of the Hole in the Wall Camps (recently renamed the Serious Fun Network - woo!), and soon after ran as part of Hope Express, I've grown used to running for a greater reason, a bigger picture. I've thought A LOT about that in the past few days and how much I love that connection, how it makes me feel so purposeful not just in my running, but in my life.
When I ran Hope Express in 2011, our team met Emily, a 5-year old at the time, who had been diagnosed with a form of leukemia. Emily was back to Hershey Medical this year when we visited before Hope Express, after a then recent relapse. It's not a place I enjoy seeing familiar faces. In recent weeks, after an experimental treatment, Emily has been fighting like no 7-year old should have to for her life. Today, results came back that the t-cells they gave her have been working! I cannot express my feelings of happiness for her family as I began to think about all the things Emily will get to do in her life because of this treatment, this miracle. It leaves me with no words.
Running during these past few weeks has allowed me to feel even a teeny bit more in control over all of this. It's completely unfair that children like Emily need to suffer and fight, when they should be playing and just being kids. Nevertheless, if they must fight, let it be so they can live a long, healthy life filled with love.
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