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Friday, November 15, 2013

I Breathe Deep for My Mom 2013

Soon after I found out about my mom's cancer (less than 48 hours before she died) I started following Lungevity on social media. Lungevity Foundation is dedicated to funding lung cancer research and supporting those affected by lung cancer. Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. And in 2012, my mom was one of them.

While I was in San Diego, I had decided that I wanted to take part in the Lungevity Breathe Deep 5k. It ended up working out perfectly. Because of my recent move to the East Coast, I was happy that my family wanted to take part in Breathe Deep DC which took place on the National Mall on November 2nd.

It was a blustery, cold morning and this California Girl could barely handle it! Talk about a wake-up call! Luckily, my favorite weatherman Doug Kammerer made an appearance AND my niece was attached to my hip, literally, which added some extra warmth :)


You know you're cold when you will gladly carry your three-year-old niece during a leg of a 5k just so she can keep you warm/you can move a little faster ;) The sun finally started to peek through as we neared the Lincoln Memorial. I explained to my niece, Aubrey, that Mr. Lincoln lives there and she asked, "Well… can I go in and hug him?" :)

We each wore a sticker that day that said, "I breathe deep for________" and mine read, "My Mom :)" It was a wonderful experience to be there in our nation's capitol with many other people and families whose lives have been affected by this horrible cancer. To see survivors there. To see the pictures of those lost. To see the smiles and hope from coming together for a cause. It was a beautiful weekend.

I told Aubrey that "Grammie" was waiting for us at the finish line but that we couldn't see her, we just had to wave up to the sky. I know my mom was there, waiting for us, cheering us on.

Not just that day but everyday, I breathe deep for My Mom.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are an inspiration, lady. I know your mom is looking down on you smiling :)

Ash said...

god damn it chelsea, i did not want to wake up on friday and ball my freaking eyes out...

umm.. it looks COLD. like DAMN cold. like i had to grab a blanket while reading the post... how in da the hell are you going to survive the entire winter?! i'm seriously concerned about it...

now my chance to make YOU cry: i never met your mom, but i can't imagine her not being proud of you for all the decision you've made recently- you are truly inspiring us all by going after your goals with a beautiful smile on your face. keep it up! keep everything up- your spirits, your tenacity, your awesome attitude.... up up up!!!

xoxo

also- loving all the bright colors you are wearing, way to represent the california vibes (;

Ash said...

god damn it chelsea, i did not want to wake up on friday and ball my freaking eyes out...

umm.. it looks COLD. like DAMN cold. like i had to grab a blanket while reading the post... how in da the hell are you going to survive the entire winter?! i'm seriously concerned about it...

now my chance to make YOU cry: i never met your mom, but i can't imagine her not being proud of you for all the decision you've made recently- you are truly inspiring us all by going after your goals with a beautiful smile on your face. keep it up! keep everything up- your spirits, your tenacity, your awesome attitude.... up up up!!!

xoxo

also- loving all the bright colors you are wearing, way to represent the california vibes (;

Katie Did What said...

Tears. You are such a strong, inspiring girl, Chelsea. <3 So lucky to know you. This was beautiful and so nice to read. Your mom is so so so proud of you and she was definitely waving back :)

xo