Over the past few weeks I have had two scans and a biopsy and I am beyond grateful they are all clear💝 With that said, I now get to share something exciting (and honestly a bit unnerving)…

On November 3rd I will be running the NYC marathon as a part of team @bravelikegabe , which helps fund rare disease research.

I am running in memory of those in our ACC family we have lost, including Gabe.

I am running for those in our ACC family still in the fight.

I am running for all the warriors who are NED (No Evidence of Disease), who hope at each scan the cancer never returns.

In full transparency, I am also running for myself as an ACC warrior. I have struggled this past year with the fear of ACC returning. This couch-to-marathon journey will help refine me mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

When the opportunity to join the Brave Like Gabe team and run the NYC Marathon came, I felt nauseous because I am not a runner. Yet I still said yes.

Why?

Because I get to.

Gabe was the first person I spoke with who also had ACC. Her uplifting attitude and drive to live fully inspired me then and continue to do so today. In memory of Gabe, whose legacy continues to live on every day, I choose to run on hope—the hope that this journey will make a difference, not only in my mind, body, and soul but more importantly in raising awareness and funds for rare cancer research. I hope that one day, when another college student like Gabe, wife and mom of three like me, or whomever hears "you have ACC," there will be viable treatments and cures available.

Please consider supporting this important cause by:

1. Donating HERE
2. Sharing this post

Thank you in advance for your contribution to our team and Brave Like Gabe’s mission.

"We run on hope. We run for research. We are not giving up. #BraveLikeGabe." - @gigrunewald

With gratitude and hope,
Shawn

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" - Hebrews 6:19