We’re extremely proud of our members. Over the years their work out agendas and sporting endeavors serve as healthy examples of how it feels to be Elite, and how exercise not only adds years to your life, but life to your years! Today we’d like to highlight another member’s accomplishments:
A few weeks ago (8/9/13-8/11/13) I joined thousands of walkers in the Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day. I signed up for this personal journey to walk 60 miles over three days to demonstrate my determination in finding a cure for breast cancer.
My best and lifelong friend, Molly Fuglestad was diagnosed 3 years ago with Stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 33. At the time she had 3 year old twins and an 18 month old. She was cancer free for less than one year before it came back in her sternum and she was upgraded to Stage 4. Molly is putting up her best fight possible. She has endured weeks of unbearable pain, countless rounds of chemotherapy, and lost her hair a second time. She fights every minute of every day while taking care of her family and living her life to the fullest.
I often found myself asking…what can I do? I, of course, loved spending extra time with her, attending chemo sessions, stocking her freezer with meals – but I wanted to do something to fight cancer in a bigger way, so myself and 8 other “Molly’s Army” members signed up for the 3 Day. After I submitted my registration, the fundraising and training began.
The first step was getting fitted for running shoes and investing in good socks – then my training could officially start. First it was 2-3 mile walks at the club in the spring, then it was hitting the pavement for 15 miles around neighborhood parks and trails. By the time August rolled around I was ready.
The Susan G. Komen 3 Day is just an awesome experience. We had perfect weather and all nine members of our Army (including Molly) walked all 60 miles. I have never drank more water and Gatorade, or eaten more food in my life – plus now I am somewhat of an expert in foot blister care! I met so many inspiring men and women while walking. Breast cancer survivors, their families, and their friends are an amazing group of people that I am honored to be associated with.
Our team raised over $23,000 for Susan G. Komen cancer research and support. I was amazed and humbled by the generosity and kindness of our donors. I would also like to thank my husband Andy, my little girls Lauren and Ellie, and my parents Rita and Neal Larsen for helping my find the time to train for the 3 Day and meet my fundraising goal.
I was excited, nervous, and anxious for the 3 Day to come, but now that we have completed it, I would gladly do it all over again. The physical training, fundraising, and preparation for the event are a small price to pay to help find a cure for breast cancer.
-Katie Marx, Elite Sports Clubs member
Words can’t express how proud my family, Neal , Bob, Nels, and Abbey, are at the completion of the very long training and walking event that Katie Larsen Marx , our oldest daughter, has just finished.
3-Days for the Cure was indeed a challenge for all to imagine doing. From early spring the group of 10, nine women and one man, worked hard to train and to be ready for this event.
I have always taught my children to take the time out to take care of others, especially when in need, as her friend Molly is, who has stage 4 breast cancer. Ever so privately, the girls and (one man) hope that they will be able to somehow slow up the effects on this young mother of three.The combined group of 10 walkers raised more than $23,000 as a part of the 3-Day event, as family and friends, cheered them on! Hats off to them; and hats off to Molly, who also raised money and walked!
A true survivor’s story!
-Rita Larsen, mother of Katie Marx
Thanks to Katie, and her mother Rita for sharing their story of great accomplishment and support–of each other, friends in need, and breast cancer research. Submit your own healthy story.