A Run for Sarah
On Monday, April 16, 2012, I will run in the Boston Marathon as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team.
While this will be my third Boston, it will be the first without Sarah cheering me on from the sidelines. I last ran in 2009, and I remember running through Wellesley close to the half-way point, seeing her there with our boys. I yelled out as loud as I could, “I love you, Sarah.” I remember the pride and love I felt as I saw them there together. And I remember my tears, knowing we had a battle ahead of us that was not going to be easy.
As I trained throughout this winter, I’ve thought long and hard about Sarah. I’ve thought of things we used to talk about, or things we did together. The way she used to encourage me. There were so many wonderful things she did for us. An integral part of our family that made us whole.
I’ve also thought of her strength and how she just kept going, on and on with all the surgeries, chemotherapy and trials to see if we could find something that would work. She never gave up. And this is a lesson that I take to heart. She’s with me every day. Every time I go running I find a deep strength knowing she is there.
I made a short film about running and training for Boston over the winter. But, it’s really not about me. It’s about Sarah and all she did for our family. It’s about that amazing strength she gave us.
When I run on Monday, I will be running for Sarah. I will be running for our boys. I will be running for all our friends and family. I will be running for our friends who have died from cancer over the past year. I will be running for our friends who are still fighting and surviving. And I will be running for a future without cancer. If you would like to support my run, please watch this short film. It’s only 3 minutes long. And if you can make a donation to the innovative research program at Dana Farber, please visit my donation page. 100% of funds raised go directly to cancer research programs.
Lastly, please share this with your friends. Let’s remember Sarah, the Carcinista, as we approach May 3rd.
With love,
Mr. Wonderful
I'm a two-and-a-half time ovarian cancer survivor who is not only determined to make it to sixty but also to look damn good while getting there. My two boys, husband, and dog are counting on me to get out of bed every day, so I might as well wear something cute and make each one COUNT. I'd love to hear from you about your odyssey - sharing makes it all easier to take. And laugh at.
The Carcinista 
Ruthann said,
April 10, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Love this and love how you ended it. Great job and beautiful tribute to Sarah and the boys. Best of luck Monday. As you know, you will have a certain someone pushing you forward everystep of the way.
Connie Wonham said,
April 11, 2012 at 1:53 AM
Hi Edward – You don’t know me, but I live in Oregon and am good friends with both of your aunts – and your uncle. I have been amazed by your family’s journey from my first reading of Sarah’s blog and listening to her powerful radio interview. You have continued her blog perfectly, and everything you have done is so in keeping with both your and Sarah’s graceful handling of an absolutley horrid situation. I wish you a great marathon. I love Dana Farber – one of my closest college friends received great care there before she died in 1996. Thank you for extending this opportunity to people like me.
Connie Wonham
Eugene, OR
Jennifer said,
April 11, 2012 at 1:57 AM
Ed- this is beautiful and amazing. What an incredible tribute you are to Sarah! I know your run will be great next week- so I won’t say “good luck” but rather , “enjoy the moments.” xoxox
olallaberry said,
April 11, 2012 at 1:57 AM
Sarah was really wonderful in every way. This was such a loving and personal tribute. I have a hard time believing she’s not with us anymore. I loved her fight and her love of life and you and your boys. Good luck to you– in the marathon and onward.
Ellen Cleveland said,
April 11, 2012 at 1:59 AM
Thanks for the email. I was wondering how you were getting along. Sarah was an amazing, inspiring person. Good luck in the Marathon, I’ll make a donation. Great cause.
Sharon & Roger said,
April 11, 2012 at 7:00 AM
Best of luck in the Marathon. You’re strength, honesty and ability to share and inspire everyone around you through this journey will make it a blessed event. You truly continue to be “Mr. Wonderful” and such a great role model to your children. I’m honored to know you and your family.
josephine de jonge hegarty said,
April 11, 2012 at 7:56 AM
I was wondering how I could make a donation from Holland I was saved by the dana faber in framingham 17yrs ago.
Sarah said,
April 14, 2012 at 8:25 AM
Hi Josephine,
The easiest way to make a donation would be via the website, using a credit card. Please visit http://www.runDFMC.org/2012/edf to make a donation. Let me know if you have any trouble doing this. Thank you for the support.
Cheers,
Mr. Wonderful
Casey B said,
April 11, 2012 at 8:51 AM
Hi, Ed.
I found this post via Nancy Stordahl of Nancy’s Point, and I am amazed by your strength and courage in doing all that you do in memory of your wife. I wish you all the very best with your run, and I hope you don’t mind, but I intend to favourite that YouTube video to watch if I’m having a rough day.
All the best,
Casey
carmen said,
April 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM
I’m speechless…yes, there are angels in heaven…and they live among us as well. As a mom, cancer survivor and still fighting against this beast, with a young husband and child I empathize with Sarah’s battle. She must be so proud of you. Thanks for this message
emilybeck said,
April 11, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Fantastic, Ed. You’re carrying on Sarah’s heroism in the best possible way. Much love to you and the boys, and I know you will CRUSH IT on Sunday! (Loved the Shotgun reference, by the way. 🙂
emilybeck said,
April 11, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Fantastic, Ed. You are continuing Sarah’s heroism and honoring her spirit in the best possible way. Much love to you and the boys, and I know you will CRUSH IT on Sunday! (Loved the Shotgun reference, by the way. 🙂
Elaine LaMonk said,
April 11, 2012 at 5:09 PM
I met Sarah through Inpsire and her strength and dignity in handling this terrible disease was an Inspiration to us all.
ButDoctorIHatePink said,
April 15, 2012 at 7:46 PM
I still miss Sarah, every day. I was dx’d with metastatic disease right after she died and she is really the only person I wanted to share that news with, but it was too late. I am glad you are doing okay, Mr. Wonderful. Good luck with the marathon – it’s a great analogy for what we all must go through, although our finish line is not triumphant like yours will be. Hope the boys are fine too.
Chris Byrnes said,
April 15, 2012 at 8:26 PM
Hello Ed – I was a member on the inspire forum and was encouraged by your wife. She helped me and a family member also struck with ovc. Your run is a wonderful tribute to her and her bravery during the fight with the beast. I know she is watching all this and just smiling. Wishing you all the best for tomorrow!
hugs,
Chris
GEPI said,
April 24, 2012 at 3:40 PM
Such a beautiful tribute and thanks for helping.