Joy and her son Miles shared a love of running.  When both of her boys were little she brought them along on runs in the double jogger.

When Miles was in first grade he earned a spot in the school's 100 mile club by running laps at school with friends.  From that point on he joined his mother in numerous races - some even as long as six miles. 

When Miles was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma Brain Cancer in 2020 as a 4th grader, competitive running gave way to therapeutic running for Joy.  After Miles's first major brain surgery, he had to use a walker to regain his coordination to walk.  But just a few days after his brain surgery, he finished a run held in his honor, hand in hand with his mom.

After a two year battle with Medulloblastoma Miles passed away at the age of 11 in October of 2022.  As Miles and his family fought, they quickly learned of how underfunded pediatric cancer research is.  They learned sadly that the standard of care hasn't changed in 40 years and the outcome sadly stays the same.  Miles was passionate about science and his participation in two clinical trials allowed him to knowingly take part in changing the future for kids like him.  Sadly, life saving options for possible standard of care exist, but the funding does not.  Miles ran out of options for care - not because the science wasn't there, but because the money was not.  Joy wants to participate in the SDF run, both symbolically as it will be her first formal running event since Miles was diagnosed, but tangibly to be a part of a better future for the 47 children who will be diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.