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.





音乐《Chariots of Fire》

[广陵晓阳]

回复安娜晴天、ShanShan33的评论:

谢谢晴天妹妹和ShanShan33妹妹！！抱歉，刚从长途旅程回来，迟复见谅 。抓紧两次行程中唯一的一天时间准备了一个新帖表示对朋友们的感谢。祝福你们！

[ShanShan33]

记得你曾经说要去波士顿，就想过来看看。没去就好，放心啦。祝好

[安娜晴天]

知道你们没去波士顿，还是来看一下，为伤亡者和家人祷告。
支持你们的决定，锻炼身体，明年参加波士顿马拉松，不向恐怖主义屈服。为你们加油！体育也是一种和平的运动和方式。
祝你们旅途愉快，欧洲欢迎你们！

[广陵晓阳]

回复bluebabychen的评论:

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]

担心晓阳姐，所以来看看，知道一切安好，放心！

[广陵晓阳]

回复史迷、bymyheart、Salad、woodcat、8888、Guoqin和逻辑3的留言 :

谢谢楼下所有新老网友们！！你们的关心使我感动。我没有参加今年的波士顿马拉松，我和家人一切皆好。谢谢你们！！

在波士顿发生的一切牵动许多人的心，包括我和我的家人。我们为伤亡者以及他们的亲人感到非常难过，迫切为他们祈祷。我们对这起恐怖事件的肇事者感到非常愤怒。

今天下午上班时是我的女儿在第一时间告诉我在波士顿马拉松发生的爆炸事件。象你们一样，我立即想到了我知道的参赛朋友们，并为他们和他们的家人祈祷。接着，我收到我先生打来的电话。今天下午收到许多亲朋好友们的电话和电子邮件；下班回到家后，又听到几位好友的留言；现在又读到你们的关心；这一切都使我和我的家人感动。再次谢谢你们！

尽管有些亲朋好友知道我今年没有参加波士顿马拉松，他们依然打来关心的电话，主要是劝我明年也不要去。有关这点，今天下午我与我的先生和女儿也讨论过。我们在为波士顿马拉松发生爆炸事件感到悲哀的同时，也感到一种特别的力量。首先是原本对波士顿马拉松赛程难度（有好几个山坡）感到畏惧、犹豫不决是否明年真去那里跑步的我从来没有象今天这样肯定：只要明年波士顿依然举办马拉松，我一定去跑，支持这座城市和那里的人！让我感动的是我的先生也从未象今天这样支持我跑波士顿马拉松，并且说他一定会与我一起去，给我加油，给其他参赛者加油，给波士顿加油！我的女儿表达了同样的看法，只是强调大家更加注意安全。

再次谢谢朋友们，大家都多保重！

[逻辑3]

去没去波士顿？ 好担心。祝好！

[Guoqin]

一听到新闻，居然是从国内老爸那儿的电视。就赶紧过来看看你。从未留过言。只是希望你全家好。

[8888]

希望你没有去Boston参加马拉松。一直看你的blog，很多年了，这是我第一次留言。

[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]

晓阳你去跑波士顿的马拉松了？愿你平安，刚看见那里出事，想你和家人也许在那里，愿一切平安无事。

[史迷]

没去波士顿吧？都好给个信。

祝好和平安！

[广陵晓阳]

回复woodcat的评论:

Dear woodcat姊妹，谢谢你的鼓励。祝你和家人新一周喜乐安康！

[woodcat]

Nice article, pictures and music!

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