Planning for the Run for Her! Ovarian Cancer Run and Friendship Walk

My son, Nehe, and best friend, Jenny, at the run for her event last year.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Ovarian cancer has a special place in my heart—one of my dearest friends’ mother passed away from this disease in November 2007. My friend Ann was one of the only people who offered up her couch when I moved back to LA in February of 2006 and meant it, even though her mom had been diagnosed with the disease just one month before.

I quickly moved from couch mate to roommate, and in November of 2006, I suggested that Ann and all of our roommates (four of us in total) participate in the second Annual Run for Her 5K and Friendship Walk to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. Ann made us all T-shirts with a picture of her mom, Barb, and we were a team of awesome ladies walking for her. We were surrounded by teams walking and running for the other “hers” in their lives, mothers, daughters and sisters.  It was great to see the pictures of the faces affected by ovarian cancer and hear their stories. Ovarian cancer is a difficult cancer to diagnose and often it is discovered too late.

In October of 2007, Ann’s mom Barb lost her battle with ovarian cancer. With the November 2007 Run for Her just around the corner, obviously Ann was not able to compete, but I did in her honor and have every year since then. I even brought my 6-week-old son to the run in November 2010! He looked so cute wrapped up in a teal (the color for ovarian cancer) Run for Her T-shirt. Of course, I only made it about a quarter of a mile before I had to pull over my BOB and nurse him, but I still sat on the course and cheered others on. In November 2011, having miscarried just a week before, I still did the friendship walk. It put my own sadness in perspective, and I was wrapped up in the joy of the event.

So it’s of no surprise to me that I am absolutely committed to being there this year on November 11, even though the run is ONE day after my official due date for baby No. 2. I’m hoping that the friendship walk may just induce my labor, and I’m really hoping that the baby stays in there long enough for me to get to the event. I love seeing all the teams and the pictures of women who are getting better, and praying for those whose teams went from “in honor of” to “in remembrance of” in just one year.

I have to be at the run this year; I hope my baby hears this. I would only miss it for one reason in the world, but here’s hoping I won’t!

Have you been affected by ovarian cancer? Are you in the LA area and want to join me and Fit Bottomed Girl Tish at the event this year? Leave a comment if so! — Dara