Stories of Hope
Prakriti
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2012 SOS Participant
Two years ago, my beloved uncle suffered terribly and within three months he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome. I am half the world apart from home, and at that moment I could not do much to help out my family... not that I had a cure, but I could have comforted and stayed beside my uncle until he took his last breath. I ran 5K last year, and I want to push it to quarter marathon this time in his honor.
Doug
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2012 SOS Participant
This past Thanksgiving, one of my best friends from high school, Robert, suffered a seizure right after the Thanksgiving meal in front of his family. The cause was determined to be a tumor the size of a "Small Sweet Potato" growing in his brain.
Surgery was only able to remove about 30% of the tumor because it grew "Around" the normal brain tissue. The tumor wiggles and winds its way around the normal brain mass according to Robert's physician.
Robert just had his 3rd quartely post -op MRI and things are "Stable." The tumor was slow growing, and his MD says it will be slow-shrinking as well. Robert is still working and taking anti-seizure meds that make him tired.
I recall a summer in the late 70's, when Bob and I spent a great deal of time at the hospital watching this insidious disease claim his fathers life.
Bob, this one is for you, buddy!
Janet
Cache, Oklahoma • 2012 SOS Participant
I started running the Spirit of Survival several years ago in honor of my nephew, Nathen. He was diagnosed at 23 months old with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, and has been fighting for the past 5 1/2 years. He is my inspiration along with the many other family and friends that I have recognized on the back of my cancer shirt with the color of cancer they are fighting or have WON! My finishing place in the races that I've run doesn't matter to me. The ones that I run for are my HEROES!
Judimer
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2012 SOS Participant
This will be our first time doing the walk and we are doing it for my husband who is a stage IV renal cell cancer survivor. He was diagnosed while deployed in Iraq. Faith, determination and the will to live gave him hope. He is our superhero!
Natalie
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2012 SOS Participant
This will be my first 5K. I lost my grandmother to cancer last December and have been watching a good friend fight it for several years now. She just learned that it is back and today she wrote, "When I was growing up, I use to hear people talk about working for many years making money and then one day retire. Then go on trips, never having to get up unless you want to and have fun. I never heard about getting sick with cancer and spending every day going to different doctors, having blood taken, test taking, drinking malt, being put in a machine taking more pictures to see if you have more cancer. I sure don't call this fun. My dream has taken a different road." I wish we lived in a world where cancer didn't exist and that is why I have chosen to run this year and from now on until we have a cure.
Kae
Lawton, Oklahoma • SOS Participant
I walked my first 5K in 2011 after I had lost 170 lbs on Weight Watchers. God was not done with me yet. In March 2012 I heard the words, "You have Uterine Cancer". My new journey started that day with surgery and 28 radiation treatments. I can now say I am Cancer free.
I will do the SOS this year for all my brothers and sisters that will make the same journey I had to live through. I had Cancer but Cancer will never have me.
Jennifer
Lawton, Oklahoma • SOS Participant
I started running the Spirit of Survival many years ago in support of my 2 year old nephew, Nathen. He was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma at 23 months old, prior to that he was a healthy and happy little boy! He will be 7 in August and has fought this horrible disease for five years. Needless to say I HATE CANCER! I will continue to support cancer research since it has affected several other members of my family and friends! I run in honor of these HEROES!
Jamye
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2011 Participant
My mother Jackye is a 2x survivor of cancer. I run in honor of the hero she is to me. I also run for the families of those who have lost loved ones to cancer. One of my friends was taken from this earth way too soon and left behind a beautiful daughter. I run for the daughter so that she may find her way through life and be successful.
I run in memory of my many grandparents who were taken too soon from this life from cancer. I hate cancer.
This race has also become a kind of family tradition. My brother-in-law and sister usually come down from Dallas for the race. It brings us together for one fun day of activity. It is always a fun place to be.
Juana
Cache, Oklahoma • 2011 Participant
A friend talked me into doing the 5k so I entered in memory of my Mom, and these words started flowing from my mind:
THE RUN
Today we run for those who have strength in spirit but are weak in their body.
Today we run for those who think they're fighting this battle alone for we are many who stand beside them to show support.
Today we run in memory of those who lost their body but their spirit lives on encouraging every to love life every moment.
Today we run for those who have more courage than they know to fight the cancer that wants to break their spirit.
Today I run in memory of my Mother who's spirit is within me always encourages me to stay strong in crisis so that I may help others.
And she whispers in my ear that she loves and that I'm never alone.
Jennifer
Walters, Oklahoma
I have been training for the 5K over the past few months. I run in support of my mother who is a cancer survivor, in remembrance of my grandparents who lost their battles with cancer, and for my family that researchers might find a cure before the disease affects them.
We know so many in our community that have been affected by cancer and I am proud to be part of a wonderful event that helps us fight back!
Jason
Ft. Sill, Oklahoma
First and foremost I would like to say that this is my first mini-marathon ever. I am 34 years old. I just returned from a 12 month deployment from the middle east. I am a 9 month tobacco free survivor. I smoked cigarettes for 19 1/2 years. I quit cold turkey. So I would have to say I might have been a cancer survivor. However, it was never diagnosed as having cancer though. I am also running for my grandfather who we lost over 25 years ago, at the rightful age of 51 years of age, because of the nicotine monster, it effected his pancreas and stomach.
Also, my uncle Lou just passed right before we came back from Afghanistan of Bone cancer. Also, my wife is also doing the 5K race. We just decided to do this for the sake of living healthier and being physically active. Last week I ran 6 miles, in which was the longest I have ever ran, even being in the Army. Thanks for giving me a chance to give back to my family and my self.
Debbie
Elgin, Oklahoma
I ran 26.2 miles in 6hrs 56 minutes, 2 years ago, during the Spirit of Survival Marathon to help raise money for free patient transportation to any Cancer Center of Southwest Oklahoma location. Today we have four vehicles in Lawton, Duncan and Altus that provide that free ride to any cancer patient that needs it to any Cancer Center of Southwest Oklahoma location, no questions asked. Over 30 volunteer drivers in all three locations make sure those patients arrive safely. This event is about people coming togther to help their neighbors. I'm proud to be a part of this kind of community event, and proud to have a community to support us. I ran because I can...and for all those people who are undergoing treatment and can't. If I can do it, anyone can. Never give up.
Erolini
Cache, Oklahoma
I walk for the memory of my dad who has battled and lost his life through lung cancer 17 years ago. I'm also walking for all my aunties, uncles, cousins, friends and relatives who lost their lives to cancer. I have one aunty I know that survived breast cancer and is living happily with her family, and I'm also walking for my dear older sister who's got breast cancer and is fighting every day....you are such a strong person sis and our faith, love, hope and prayers haven't stopped. I walk for all those around the world who lost their lives and to those who survived and to those that are still going through this right now and not giving up hope. My wish is that someday there will a 100% cure for any kind of cancer. Keep on fighting and keep on believing.
Lori Cummins,
Lawton, Oklahoma • Race Director
To me, the most important reason to walk or run is to raise money for clinical trials that are being conducted at the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma which benefit our own friends and neighbors right here at home, offering hope for a cancer cure. The results of our clinical trials also benefit cancer research through our participation in national and international clinical trials. I have personally had three very close friends who were not only diagnosed with rare and aggressive cancers this year, but who were enrolled in clinical trials at the Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center and all are now Cancer Free! That’s the best reason I can think of for participating. I’d run a million miles to save their lives! They are worth it!!!
The second reason is to walk in memory or in honor of cancer patients and their families who have suffered the battle against cancer. You can never do enough when someone is faced with this disease, but the least we can do is stand beside our loved ones and show them our support and love.
The last reason is for our own health, so we can be healthy and decrease our own chances of not only cancer, but many other debilitating and preventable chronic illnesses. Not all cancers can be prevented, but if we are active and healthy, our chances of acquiring any kind of cancer are decreased by 67%! Without our health, our quality of life significantly diminishes. This is something everyone should do, for themselves and those they love. We need to be there for our children and grandchildren, and be good role models for our kids.
Tabitha
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2010 Participant
I am a survivor! I walk to show my support for those who are going through cancer right now. My hope is that someday cancer will be nothing more than a distant memory.
Janis
Sulphur, Oklahoma • 2010 Participant
My husband is a 4-year (stage 5) colon cancer survivor!
Sandy
Lawton, Oklahoma • 2010 Participant
I've been with the race for the past 4 years and have been inspired and touched by all the participants' stories of survival and hope! It's for all those who've touched my heart that I run!
