This month, we turn our attention not only to Breast Cancer Awareness Month but to all those who are surviving breast cancer, those who are newly diagnosed and those with metastatic disease. It turns out that of all those with cancer, 18% have children under the age of 18!! This month, I wanted to share with you two moms who are amazing role models for other women but, most importantly, their families and kids of the power of a fierce and unwavering attitude to focus on maximizing their health with breast cancer and having fun doing it!!
Carol is a mom of 4 and survivor of breast cancer and thyroid cancer. What I most admire about Carol is her unwavering spirit of outdoor exercise, creative spirit, fun and team effort for all of the activities she is involved in. She loves to run and make it notable and fun at the same time!! Her energy and fortitude are amazing as she has focused her efforts on organizing a running group, “Couch to 5K” which meets every friday for a run, on running the Boston Marathon several times raising money for Dana Farber and multiple other local notable races. These “laugh out loud” activities culminate each year at Thanksgiving with the annual Turkey Trot, a 5K race and non-profit which Carol founded to raise money for breast cancer causes. She is the one who rallies the troops to join her in the fun! Most recently, Carol received the Fitzherbert award from the Tufts 10K Women’s Race for being a Rock Star towards focusing on health, family and community, while she has been undergoing her own treatment for cancer. Go Carol!!
Theresa is another mom of 2 and amazing survivor of breast cancer. She was diagnosed several years ago and also likes to run. You can often see Carol and Theresa running together on the trails and in the local races. What I most admire about Theresa is not only her fun with running and trying to maintain a healthy exercise routine to maximize her health after breast cancer, but Theresa has developed a passion for helping other women with the skin reactions and sensitivities associated with radiation. She wanted to make a difference for other women undergoing treatment, and developed My Girls Skin Cream. Recently through her efforts, Theresa won the 2016 Survivor Circle Award at the Annual American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, ASTRO, in Boston. She is also a great role model to her kids of the fun they can have by exercising …Go Theresa!!
As parents, we can also be great role models for our kids through the power of exercise!! Here is to your Good, Better, Best Life through exercise and W.E.L.L.N.E.S.S.!!!