demand better Archives - The Hockey Mom Fit Life

November 19, 2017November 19, 2017

Today We Waged Hope

Today we waged hope for better outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. After months of anticipation, the Purple Stride 5k was upon us. It was a tough, heartfelt morning full of love for Debbie and her family that left me in tears a couple times. Team Deb Force five won an award for raising the most funds as a team for the second year in a row. Unquestionably, Debbie was the key our success. Our collective love and the respect we hold for Debbie continues to inspire us to wage hope. She was a tour de force, who inspired so many of us.

While we were highly successful fundraising, my training and preparation for the race was poor. Sadly, the results showed this as I finished with a time of over 30 minutes. Excitedly, Jake and The Mayor had awesome showings with the Mayor getting 3rd place in his age group with a time of 28:11. Albeit Jake didn’t place in the top 3, but still finished with a time of 25:13. Of course, he was disappointed with his time feeling that he could have done significantly better. Nonetheless, it was still over a minute faster than his time at the event last year.

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At the start of the race, The Mayor and his teammates, Jake and my co-worker Imani were at the front. The Mayor and his teammates were super excited and nervous to embark on their run. They were the cutest. It was a sea of purple as we lined up at the start. This was my first run at FAU and this particular course was absolutely beautiful. Undoubtedly, I wish I had been better prepared for the run, but now I know what I need to do before the next event.

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After the event, my stomach was churning -thanks to chili I ate yesterday, but we waited for our team to finish. As the team members finished as we enjoyed the free food and we waited for the Mayor to get his medal. A big congratulations to the Mayor and fellow Deb Force Five member HB who placed 3rd and 2nd respectively in the under 13 age group. I now owe the Mayor $50 as he finished under 30 minutes and he beat me handily!

Lastly, while the event may be over our work is still unfinished. There is a long way to go in the war against pancreatic cancer and doubling survival rates by 2020. In fact, it isn’t too late to donate to Team Deb Force Five. If you’d like to donate, please click here. To our Deb Force Five family, thank you for your participation, your donation and your continued love and support of this beautiful family.

Today’s song is “The Sky is a Neighborhood” by the Foo Fighters. I was jamming to this song as I finished my third mile today. It’s a great one!

November 7, 2017November 7, 2017

Purple Haiku

In honor of Pancreatic Cancer month, I wrote a Purple Haiku. I am by no means a poet, so please be kind. Cancer is an insidious beast. Nine years ago today, cancer took my grandfather from us. My Grandfather lived a good life, but he wast was still taken far too soon. Like Debbie, my grandfather’s cancer impacted his digestive system (colon) and had metastasized to the liver.

I go Purple, including purple streaks in my hair, because raising awareness for pancreatic cancer can and will save lives. Moreover, I advocate for meaningful research like the work the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network does because this is how we will find a cure. Importantly, the goal of PANCAN is to double the survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients by 2020. I am proud to support this cause for Debbie, for her family and for all of us.

By the way, if you’re wondering how you can join or support Team Deb Force Five, you can do so by clicking here. So without more delay, here is my first attempt at a Haiku since high school.

Wage Hope

Now that you are gone
Our hearts are empty and broke
Grieving we wage hope

Purple stride is here

training has made us faint

yet we won’t give up

We run in purple

your spirit energizes us

record time is ours

Finally, the song for tonight is “Believer” by Imagine Dragons.

Faint.

November 4, 2017November 4, 2017

Demand Better

One of PanCan’s most powerful slogans is demand better. Demand better for patients and for survival. Pancreatic Cancer is now the 3rd leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S. By 2020, pancreatic cancer is forecasted to be the 2nd leading cause of cancer related deaths surpassing breast cancer. Meanwhile the 5 year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has increased from 7% to 8%. While the increase is welcome, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer is still way too low.

The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to anyone’s friend or family member is horrifying. What I respected so much about Debbie is that she lived her life fully not allowing the disease to define her. I’m grateful to have had her in my life and for the example she set. Additionally, she was the epitome of grace under pressure. In the midst of her treatment, she was committed to making the future brighter for all pancreatic cancer patients. Our commitment to the cure steadfast driven by her absence, which is felt profoundly by all of us. I promised her that I would never give up the fight that I would always wage hope as her proxy.