Diagnosis 11/7/23

Surgery 12/29/23

Half Marathon 3/17/24

In mid-October, I went out on a seemingly ordinary long run that felt too hard for the effort. I also noticed a lump on my neck - a most unwelcome intruder that wasn’t going away.  Not a good combo to say the least.    A week later, during my annual physical I was told my white blood cell count soared to alarming heights, signaling a deeper concern. The ensuing weeks were a medical mini-odyssey around UCLA’s doctors offices  —ultrasounds, multiple blood tests, lump poking, staph infection (not cute) and, on November 7, 2023, a diagnosis that cast a gnarly shadow over my world.  Fast-forward to December 29th:  I underwent a procedure at UCLA that successfully plucked out this unforeseen adversary.

Roughly one month after surgery, I was cleared to run again which brings me to the heart of this message:

On March 17, 2024, I’ll toe the starting line alongside thousands of fellow runners, participating in the LA Charity Half Marathon, which runs concurrently with LA Marathon. This year, my strides carry a profound purpose - raising awareness and funds for UCLA Health, Jonsson Medical Center, and the noble cause of cancer research.

Running has brought me to all of life‘s greatest emotions: love, passion, competitive fervor, whimsical moments, meditative laps, thrills, defeat, and now I get to lace up my shoes and experience
gratitude, in its most pure form, with every step. My fitness level and muscle mass have gone down, but I am certain, I will be strengthened by channeling and embodying a collective endeavor to triumph over the challenges posed by cancer.

Please support my fundraising effort as I run with a full heart in support of UCLA Health -  JCCF 💙💛