2013 Run for the Rose: Joys mixed with Sorrows

The 11th Annual Run for the Rose 5K & 1K Family Fun Run/Walk was held this morning at Reliant Park. The Run/Walk was sponsored by Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation (http://www.runfortherose.com) to raise money for MD Anderson Cancer Center and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. The goal of this annual run is to raise half a million dollars ($500,000). We have surpassed the goal with $514,224 so far. The final number could be higher as more money is coming even after the race day. The generosities of ordinary people as well as some cooperatives are very touching. According to the Foundation website, “At MD Anderson, at least 3 clinical trials have resulted directly from our contributions. Funding of cutting-edge research and personalized therapy has enabled many brain tumor patients to live 5-6 years and more without recurrence and with a great quality of life.” Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation has helped many brain cancer patients and pediatric patients as well as families of those patients directly or indirectly.

This year’s event was especially bitter and sweet to me because Dr. Kelly DeScioli, one of my friends, died of brain cancer this January after 7 years of courageous battle with cancer. Kelly was a pediatrician and was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, just over one year after she got married. Kelly and I first met at my 1st Run for the Rose and we saw each other year after year thereafter. The run was so different this year without her presence. I met her mother last Tuesday at my institution when I picked up my running package. We both were in tears when we talked about Kelly. But, her mother reminded me of that Kelly had fought a good fight and ran the life race well. Kelly’s mother also thanked all brain cancer researchers and oncologists for what we have done to extend Kelly’s life. While Dr. Rose was afflicted with brain cancer in 2000, she lived less than 3 years. With new therapeutics developed afterwards, Kelly was able to benefit from those new treatments and lived around 7 years even though she was diagnosed with the same type of brain tumor as Dr. Rose. I hope that we could do more and pray that the progress will be a little faster.

As a participant, I ran well this year to complete 5K with 22:58 as the 1st place of my age group (female 45-49). I was tempted to give up this run as I started female monthly menstrual cycle yesterday and didn’t feel 100% of myself. Then, I thought about those cancer patients who have to go through treatment cycles after cycles. So, I decided to run anyway. This annual run will be my last time to stay at the age group of 45-49 since I will turn to 50 next month. Even though growing older in my age has multiple disadvantages, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue. Someone used to say “Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many”, which is so true. Pray that God will help me growing older gracefully.

Thank my dearest husband Min for taking photos during this event.





音樂《Chariots of Fire》

[廣陵曉陽]

回複安娜晴天、ShanShan33的評論:

謝謝晴天妹妹和ShanShan33妹妹！！抱歉，剛從長途旅程回來，遲複見諒 。抓緊兩次行程中唯一的一天時間準備了一個新帖表示對朋友們的感謝。祝福你們！

[ShanShan33]

記得你曾經說要去波士頓，就想過來看看。沒去就好，放心啦。祝好

[安娜晴天]

知道你們沒去波士頓，還是來看一下，為傷亡者和家人禱告。
支持你們的決定，鍛煉身體，明年參加波士頓馬拉鬆，不向恐怖主義屈服。為你們加油！體育也是一種和平的運動和方式。
祝你們旅途愉快，歐洲歡迎你們！

[廣陵曉陽]

回複bluebabychen的評論:

Thank you so much for the concern, my dear friend. I am touched by your friendship.

I didn't go to Boston this year. But I will go next year for sure. Other than wearing it once during a Saturday morning run, I am wearing my 2013 Houston Marathon finisher shirt first time in public to support Boston. To be exact, I am wearing it to work today, which is out of my characteristics as I wear dresses and skirts at work most of times. What criminals/terrorists cannot take away is our resilient spirit. Praying for all, especially for the victims and their families.

Sorry that I cannot write in Chinese right now. Take care and God bless!

[bluebabychen]

擔心曉陽姐，所以來看看，知道一切安好，放心！

[廣陵曉陽]

回複史迷、bymyheart、Salad、woodcat、8888、Guoqin和邏輯3的留言 :

謝謝樓下所有新老網友們！！你們的關心使我感動。我沒有參加今年的波士頓馬拉鬆，我和家人一切皆好。謝謝你們！！

在波士頓發生的一切牽動許多人的心，包括我和我的家人。我們為傷亡者以及他們的親人感到非常難過，迫切為他們祈禱。我們對這起恐怖事件的肇事者感到非常憤怒。

今天下午上班時是我的女兒在第一時間告訴我在波士頓馬拉鬆發生的爆炸事件。象你們一樣，我立即想到了我知道的參賽朋友們，並為他們和他們的家人祈禱。接著，我收到我先生打來的電話。今天下午收到許多親朋好友們的電話和電子郵件；下班回到家後，又聽到幾位好友的留言；現在又讀到你們的關心；這一切都使我和我的家人感動。再次謝謝你們！

盡管有些親朋好友知道我今年沒有參加波士頓馬拉鬆，他們依然打來關心的電話，主要是勸我明年也不要去。有關這點，今天下午我與我的先生和女兒也討論過。我們在為波士頓馬拉鬆發生爆炸事件感到悲哀的同時，也感到一種特別的力量。首先是原本對波士頓馬拉鬆賽程難度（有好幾個山坡）感到畏懼、猶豫不決是否明年真去那裏跑步的我從來沒有象今天這樣肯定：隻要明年波士頓依然舉辦馬拉鬆，我一定去跑，支持這座城市和那裏的人！讓我感動的是我的先生也從未象今天這樣支持我跑波士頓馬拉鬆，並且說他一定會與我一起去，給我加油，給其他參賽者加油，給波士頓加油！我的女兒表達了同樣的看法，隻是強調大家更加注意安全。

再次謝謝朋友們，大家都多保重！

[邏輯3]

去沒去波士頓？ 好擔心。祝好！

[Guoqin]

一聽到新聞，居然是從國內老爸那兒的電視。就趕緊過來看看你。從未留過言。隻是希望你全家好。

[8888]

希望你沒有去Boston參加馬拉鬆。一直看你的blog，很多年了，這是我第一次留言。

[woodcat]

I thought about you when I heard news; you mentioned before you were planning for the Boston Marathon of next year.

Pray for those suffered families...

[Salad]

Remember you plan to join next year Boston Marathon, right?


Best Wishes!

[bymyheart]

曉陽你去跑波士頓的馬拉鬆了？願你平安，剛看見那裏出事，想你和家人也許在那裏，願一切平安無事。

[史迷]

沒去波士頓吧？都好給個信。

祝好和平安！

[廣陵曉陽]

回複woodcat的評論:

Dear woodcat姊妹，謝謝你的鼓勵。祝你和家人新一周喜樂安康！

[woodcat]

Nice article, pictures and music!

I can always feel and acquire positive energy from your post. Thanks for sharing!