FIND YOUR RUNNING COMMUNITY, ONLINE OR IN PERSON

I SIGNED UP for my first marathon while sobbing in the back of a rideshare, on my way to the airport to fly to my uncle's funeral.

Six months prior, my aunt, his wife, had passed away. Both of them died of cancer. As my aunt got sicker, I decided to run the 2017 Philadelphia Half Marathon and raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). When my uncle passed, feeling helpless, I signed up for the 2018 New York City Marathon through ACS to raise money for cancer research.

During that marathon training, I joined a Facebook group with other runners who dedicated their miles to ACS. We would update one another on training runs, chat about gear, and keep each other accountable. I found a camaraderie with other runners who understood my loss. I didn't know how much I'd needed this group of people--all of whom had their life impacted by cancer-until I found them.