Squeeze Your Lemons: December 2010

I have to tell you that since becoming one of the Run Director's for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in Collingwood, I have met lots of truly amazing people.

One of those people I met this past October. Her name is Margaret Stuart. I randomly send out emails to some participants really to just introduce myself and let them know how grateful we are for their support of this great event. This is how I met Margaret, on September 28th of this year I sent her an email letting her know I was one of the Volunteer Run Directors, and thanking her for being a part of our run site for the first time. Margaret's name had come up on my run reports as one of the top fundraisers from out of nowhere one day, I also noticed on her page that she had just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few months before, so I expressed to her how truly sorry I was. I heard back from Margaret the following day, and honestly, I have shared a part of her email with many people. I was in aw of what she said. Margaret told me how she was having her second surgery the following week, then she said....

"As I have mentioned to my supporters, one absolutely has to look for positives - like a great surgeon, husband, my understanding and caring staff at work, a wonderful community like Collingwood (unfortunately, we are only part time residents), and we have 2 large comical dogs, who keep me laughing with their constant antics."

I thought to myself, here is this woman, who has breast cancer and it's horrible and scary and she is telling me that you have to forget all that and look at the positives in your life! Which is true! But I was amazed and I couldn't wait to meet her in person!!

I met Margaret the day before the run at the run site, while we were setting up she came down to pick up her team kits. She was so excited about running the next day. Margaret had told me in emails how she was a runner, she had never taken part in this event before, so she was excited to do so. I stood there talking to Margaret and her husband and I was incredibly excited for what the following day would bring. The feeling of run day is like nothing else, it's empowering, emotional, the air truly feels electric. I couldn't wait for Margaret to stand side by side with men, women, children, other Survivors, and to know that they were all there for the same reason. Running, walking, volunteering, all for a future without breast cancer!

I have to tell you that when it came time for awards I was so excited, because the first Survivor that had crossed the finish line was MARGARET! One of the prizes she received for crossing the finish line was donated to our run site from Tubbs Snowshoes. A brand new pair of snowshoes. I have kept in touch with Margaret since the run, I am also on the organizing team for the 2011 Tubbs Romp to Stomp out breast cancer snowshoe series, as you can see from the blog now having changed gears. Margaret is now looking forward to taking part in the Tubbs Romp to Stomp. Of course is all depends on what stages her treatments are at come Feb 19th. But she already has a team of people who want to take part with her and is trying to decide between a couple different fun team names.

I heard from Margaret a few weeks ago and that is when I decided to write this blog post. Margaret shared with me that she had been featured in iRun Magazine! Congratulations to Margaret, it is an amazing article and I strongly suggest you take a moment to read it! Margaret thank you for your amazingly positive outlook on life!

Come out and join us @ Scenic Cave on Saturday February 19th @ 11am and let's all strap on some snowshoes and Stomp out breast cancer together!

Remember to take a little time to SQUEEZE THOSE lemons!