From the Chemo Chair to the Marathon Finish Line
One year ago today, I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. Now one year later I am celebrating this anniversary (and the long journey I've had) by sharing the news that I am an official member of Team Sharsheret for the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon on November 3rd! Last November I was sitting in a chemo chair and now this November I hope to be crossing the NYC Marathon off my bucket list. I'm also thrilled for the chance to give back to this amazing organization that has provided me with so much support over these past 12 months so they can continue their mission of providing support and resources for women and families facing (or at high risk for) breast and ovarian cancer.
Here is my story:
In June 2023, I learned that my routine mammogram from a year prior was abnormal, yet due to a failure of checks and balances and lack of communication, no one ever contacted me. I also learned that my tumor was considered large and the radiologist performing my diagnostic mammogram didn’t want to answer my hard questions. So put all these things together and I was terrified. The two weeks leading up to my official diagnosis were among the scariest of my life. After many, many tests and doctors’ visits, the diagnosis was official, and I knew I had a long road ahead of me. The day after receiving this news, I climbed a mountain in Boulder, Colorado with Ari because I needed to prove to myself that despite having cancer, I could do hard things.
Fast forward to today - 12 months later. I’ve undergone a lumpectomy, 4 rounds of chemo (along with cold capping, which in some ways was harder than the chemo itself), 35 sessions of radiation, and now I'm on hormone blockers pills and ovarian suppression shots, which have sent me into a chemically-induced menopause. Oh and by the way, right now I have a sprained ankle! But I’m trying to live out “Tough, Fierce, Strong” and challenging myself to do hard things. Along this journey I tried surfing and parasailing. And despite my joint pain, I’m back to running, albeit slowly, and excited to cross the NYC Marathon finish line. Even if my body is aching and tired, my heart will get me there.
One thing I learned along my journey was to seek emotional support. The physical journey is hard, but the emotional journey for me was even harder. Even before I was officially diagnosed, I made a phone call to Sharsheret, a Jewish breast and ovarian cancer community, that proved to be invaluable to me. They provided me with a social worker who has walked with me through every step of my journey and validated that all of my feelings were normal and okay. I joined their Facebook group, learned so much from educational webinars and fun virtual events like paint nights and yoga, and received so many “intentional” gifts - things like a pillow to use after surgery, nutrition coaching, exercise bands and more.
I have already began to train for my race, I’ve met other team members and heard their amazing stories, and am inspired to undertake this rigorous challenge. I am doing it in support of Sharsheret in order to support women and families, at high risk and those facing breast and ovarian cancer at every stage-before, during, and after diagnosis.
As a member of this incredible Team, I am hoping to raise $10,000 and I am asking you to please support me in my athletic and fundraising efforts as I take on this challenge. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Thank you all so much, in advance, for your support! Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Honor Roll
“Words are not enough - this is an amazing accomplishment and a beautiful way to celebrate life and being alive - an incredible outlet to feel all the emotions of your journey while feeling like your “old” self once again. You are incredible!!!❤️”
Cris Epstein
Nov 6, 2024
California, US
Alexis Levy
Nov 5, 2024
Illinois, US
“Mazal Tov!!! so proud of you!”
Leah Rosenzweig
Nov 4, 2024
California, US
“What a journey! We'll be there to cheer you on tomorrow.”
Lisa & Craig Cooper
Nov 2, 2024
California, US
Paola Then
Oct 31, 2024
Virginia, US
“A victory lap for you around NYC!”
Kerry Fraser
Oct 31, 2024
California, US
“You've got this! Have a great run!”
Molly Sigworth
Oct 30, 2024
California, US
“Karen, you are an inspiration! Enjoy every mile.”
Lisa Kobza
Oct 29, 2024
Connecticut, US
“Karen you are a rockstar - have a great run!”
Shira Scherb
Oct 28, 2024
California, US
Anonymous
Oct 28, 2024
US
Anonymous
Oct 25, 2024
California, US
“You are a champion!”
Natasha Zwick
Oct 25, 2024
California, US
“Thank you for sharing your inspirational story and supporting such a wonderful organization.”
Annette Kulik
Oct 24, 2024
California, US
“you can do hard things!”
Danielle Warnes
Oct 24, 2024
California, US
Erfan Marks
Oct 24, 2024
California, US
“Karen, You do the long-distance runs and I'll stay with the sprints. Good luck”
DAN ROMAN
Oct 24, 2024
California, US
“Go Karen go! One dollar for every mile along the amazing NYC course. I'll be cheering you on from Denver. You are an inspiration to all of us!”
Scott Zeller
Oct 22, 2024
Colorado, US
Steven Page
Oct 21, 2024
California, US
Hillary Oberstein
Oct 14, 2024
California, US
Christine Pajak
Oct 14, 2024
US
Anonymous
Oct 13, 2024
Tennessee, US
“You Go Girl!!!”
Jo Karnofsky
Oct 13, 2024
California, US
“good luck on having an amazing run! Douglas Altschuler”
Douglas Altschuler
Oct 10, 2024
Arizona, US
“Stay strong!”
Amy Friedman Cecil
Oct 10, 2024
California, US
Maxine Straus
Oct 9, 2024
California, US
“Courage and Strength continues!!”
Stefanie Elkins
Oct 7, 2024
California, US
“We'll be thinking of you on Nov. 3rd and cheering you on. You are a special woman and a true inspiration.”
Sarae Shenkin
Oct 6, 2024
California, US
“Go get 'em!”
Carin White
Oct 6, 2024
California, US
“My heart swells with pride with knowing a person like you. I will be cheering you on as you cross the NYC marathon finish line.”
Mira Felt
Oct 5, 2024
California, US
Gregory Starobin
Oct 4, 2024
California, US
“Go Karen! So inspired by your journey!!!”
Meg Shumway
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
“Super tough!! 🥇”
Courtney Andersen
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
Terri Mulein
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
wayne Schulman
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
“go, KJ, go!!!”
Anne Thies
Oct 2, 2024
Indiana, US
Ryan Souders
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
“Thanks for letting me be part of this cause and community, Karen! 🙏”
Liz Lew
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
“You are amazing Karen! A true example of courage & resilience! Go get it in the NYC Marathon!!! Love, The Spayde Family”
Gail Spayde
Oct 2, 2024
California, US
Simona Wildman
Oct 1, 2024
California, US
“You got this! Happy Running!”
Samantha Ludwig
Oct 1, 2024
California, US
Stacy Leff
Sep 21, 2024
Virginia, US
“Go Karen! We can do hard things! I thought of you throughout my recent hike on the John Muir Trail which kicked my butt in the best way! i admire you so much!❤️”
Catherine Lightfoot
Sep 20, 2024
California, US
“Can’t wait to watch you cross the finish line!!!”
Dalia Samansky
Sep 20, 2024
New York, US
“Go Karen! You're a warrior!!”
Laura Rabney
Sep 19, 2024
California, US
“Good luck at the marathon, and keep kicking cancer’s a$$! TLAM, Barbara 💛🖤🪁⭐️⭐️”
Barbara Peterson
Sep 17, 2024
Missouri, US
“Congrats and good luck in NYC”
George Zeller
Sep 16, 2024
Massachusetts, US
“You are a warrior Karen! Way to do hard things and pay it forward…you are an inspiration!”
Kim Jackson
Sep 14, 2024
Massachusetts, US
“your story inspires me with your strength 💖”
Jennifer Stone
Sep 13, 2024
California, US
“you inspure me on so many levels! you go girl!!”
Yianna Trewyn
Sep 13, 2024
California, US
Anonymous
Sep 7, 2024
Texas, US
“Karen, it’s been a long road to get to this point — now its 26.2 miles to your next major milestone. We’re all cheering you on to the finish line!”
Michelle Boston
Sep 4, 2024
California, US
“Karen - you are an inspiration to all of us!! best of luck in NYC!! youll be amazing!”
Marsha Fox
Sep 4, 2024
California, US
“Let’s go, Karen! You're going to have the time of your life! We all know you can do hard things and make it look so easy. I’ll be cheering for you from CA!”
Denise Zweig
Aug 26, 2024
California, US
Jana Hand
Aug 25, 2024
California, US
“You have always amazed me KJK - your spirit and drive! Keep it up 🙌”
Ellee Spier
Aug 22, 2024
Indiana, US
Anonymous
Aug 21, 2024
California, US
“Keep going Karen! You are strong!”
Jocelyn Rivas
Aug 8, 2024
California, US
“Super proud of you and happy to see you doing this!”
Laura Roman
Aug 3, 2024
California, US
“Go Karen! You continue to show how “Tough, Fierce, Strong” you are! The Simons Family Jami, Larry, Hali, Raizi”
Jami Simons
Jul 31, 2024
California, US
“Way to go Karen! We are so impressed with your resilience and determination. All the best Julie (Silver) & David Milch”
julie silver
Jul 19, 2024
California, US
“go KAREN! you are AMAZING”
Julie Sitomer
Jul 17, 2024
California, US
lori getz
Jul 17, 2024
California, US
“You’re amazing! I’m with you sister 💗💪🏼”
Kate Duffy
Jul 11, 2024
Massachusetts, US
Anonymous
Jul 11, 2024
California, US
“So impressed by how you dealt with all the challenges that came your way this year. It's a privilege to be your friend!”
Dena Maple
Jul 8, 2024
California, US
“Go, go, Karen! Will be running the NY streets with you in spirit.”
Margaret Canon Knolla
Jul 7, 2024
California, US
“What an inspiration you are, Karen! Wishing you continued good health and all the very best for your forthcoming NYC marathon and far, far beyond!!”
Rebecca Stempel
Jul 7, 2024
Luzern, CH
Jen Kalan
Jul 6, 2024
California, US
“you got this!”
Elyse Tepper
Jun 30, 2024
California, US
“in honor of my SIL Ali and in memory of my MIL Vivian”
Melissa Brockman
Jun 30, 2024
California, US
“Kol hakavod. We are so proud of you! Will be cheering you on from Israel. Jeremy and Sheryl and the kids”
Sheryl Halberstadt
Jun 30, 2024
IL
“Karen, we're SO happy that you've come so far in this year that you're ready to train for the New York City Marathon. WOW!! We'll be with you in spirit, and we'd like to sponsor Mile 20 if possible. Rich wants to know how you're looking when you "hit the wall" :-)”
Dori & Rich Jaffee
Jun 29, 2024
California, US
“I'll be cheering for you!”
Lauri Tepper
Jun 28, 2024
California, US
“We are so incredibly proud of you, KJ!!!”
Faye Gillespie
Jun 26, 2024
New Hampshire, US
Anonymous
Jun 26, 2024
Georgia, US
Jason Freeman
Jun 23, 2024
Georgia, US
“You’re amazing, Karen! Congratulations on this major milestone!”
Alexa LaBianca
Jun 22, 2024
California, US
George Zeller
Jun 21, 2024
Massachusetts, US
Debbie Summers Hays
Jun 20, 2024
Indiana, US
Erica Ghorbanzadeh
Jun 19, 2024
California, US
$10,605.32
$10,000.00
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