Picture this... it's Homecoming season in 1997 and you're a senior in high school. You're looking for just the right choker (because that was the style in 1997😂) to accent your dress. You're shopping with your mother and try on a necklace. You comment to mom that it just doesn't fit right. It sits funny because of this lump in your neck. Mom's face changes- it's slight, but there's a difference. You see, mom is a nurse and she knows that any odd "lumps, bumps and bleeding" are just not right. This begins the adventure. One you never wanted to have. Within a few days you're at the doctor. Soon after that, you're at a specialist and having a biopsy done. Something's definitely not right. A few days later, you're standing in the kitchen when the phone rings. Mom grabs the phone with the long cord, and you stand close by and study her face. But you already know. You know it's cancer. Needless to say, this changes everything for you and your whole family.

That was my homecoming experience in the fall of 1997. Since that day, I've had a sidekick through life. It's not one I want to keep around, but it's there. Always. It's fear. It's always, always there.

The next few months for me were a slew of tests, surgeries and radiation. I was so incredibly lucky. My tumor, albeit large (the size of a golf ball!), was localized. It had spread to a few lymph nodes in my neck, but after surgery, radiation, and figuring out medication, I was given the all clear. But I was not clear... at least not in my mind. My sidekick had taken up residence. That fear was just a part of life now. And I was a lucky one. My cancer was an "easy" one, but it was still cancer. That's word is scary & I for one, am soooo tired of it. 

I am a very lucky person- after my treatment I graduated high school, went on to college, then grad school. I met the love of my life, and I've had two beautiful children. I love my job. I'm lucky enough to be a teacher in the Bronx. I get to work with wonderful, special needs children. My students are homebound for a variety of reasons, and I see them in their homes. Some of these students have medical issues like a broken leg or they're recovering from surgery. Some of them are going through their own cancer treatments. For these children (and their families), my heart breaks. I know what they're experiencing and as a parent, I can't imagine how that feels. It makes me think of my own parents and how strong they had to be for me. It makes me wonder if I'd be as strong if it happened to my kid. It makes my sidekick shout a little louder in my head. 

In the past 5 years, I've watched an innocent, joyful student fight his hardest and lose his battle. I've watched my kids lose their beloved grandma, and my husband lose his mother. I've watched a close friend fight tooth and nail to stick around for her family, a battle which she unfortunately lost.  I've watched far too many friends and family members lose people they love. All because of cancer. It's not fair and it sucks... and I've still got my sidekick.

This year, I've been lucky enough to be chosen to join Fred's Team in the NYC Marathon. I know that my run won't end cancer, but I can hope that the money I raise will help someone, somewhere, not to have my sidekick.

My goal is to raise as much as I can to support groundbreaking cancer research at MSK, and your donation will give me a boost as I train for my race. 100% of every dollar you donate goes directly to MSK's scientists and doctors. Help me reach my goal and make a difference!!