My Color Run Why
Behind every Colors4Cancer team, every registration, and every step is a story. We invited our participants to share their “why”—the personal reasons they walk, run, volunteer, and support this event. We hope these heartfelt stories remind you of what brings us together and the difference we can make.
Team Thorsby Throat-Punches Thyroid Cancer
The JOH Colors4Cancer run has been near and dear to our hearts since its inception. We have watched the dreams of our long-time friend Kim Hess come to life as Journey of Hope and the color run grew from great ideas to reality. Our team captain, Sara, has been an oncology nurse for 19 years and we have always felt that the color run is such a fantastic way to celebrate and honor the cancer warriors in our lives.
Through the years we have watched as friends and patients have modeled grace, resilience, joy, perseverance, wisdom, grit, whimsy, and faith in spite of incredibly difficult cancer journeys. This year our team captain took a step back and asked herself, "what kind of person will I be?" when she received a cancer diagnosis of her own in July. Last year at the color run we were Team Thorsby Jellybeans (because we stick together!) and this year we're Team Thorsby Throat-Punches Thyroid Cancer! We continue to stick together in good times and bad, and this year our team celebrates Sara's recovery from papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Romans 5:3-5 says, "...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." We are all thankful to be here today: still running, still working hard for family and patients, still singing, still hoping, and still loving.
We thank you, God!
"All my life you have been faithful.
All my life you have been so, so good!
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God."
Ainsley’s Angels of Eastern North Carolina - New Bern
Our team is built on inclusion, friendship, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of crossing a finish line. Through Ainsley’s Angels, we bring together runners, riders, families, and volunteers to create an environment where abilities never define someone’s opportunity to participate.
Every Angel has a story, and every person on our team is part of something bigger than a race. We come together to support one another, build friendships, spread awareness, and show our community what inclusion truly looks like.
Participating in Colors4Cancer gives us another opportunity to come together for an important cause while celebrating the strength, courage, and hope of those affected by cancer. Just as we believe in inclusion without limits, we believe in standing alongside others and reminding them that they are not alone.
We are especially excited to welcome new riders and runners, and to continue growing our Angel family here in Eastern North Carolina. Whether someone is running, riding, pushing, cheering, or volunteering, there is a place for them on our team.
Thank you for welcoming Ainsley’s Angels to this special event and giving us the opportunity to share our mission with the community. We look forward to rolling with the wind on November 7!
With Angel love,
Lindsey Tew Lewis
New Bern Ambassador
Ainsley’s Angels of America
Nicole and Team Krewe/Purple Peeps
When I walked through the doors of the SECU Cancer Center for the first time, I was scared, angry, and filled with regret. For most of my life, I had barely kept my head above water. I was always trying to survive, and somewhere along the way, I had stopped believing that there would be time for the dreams I carried in my heart. I dreamed of traveling to New Zealand. I wanted to take an RV and see all fifty states. I dreamed of taking a cruise to see orcas and skydiving in the Caribbean. There were so many things I still wanted to experience. But that first day in the cancer center, those dreams suddenly seemed very far away. I was overwhelmed by everything I was being told—ports, chemotherapy, side effects, radiation, and making sure my affairs were in order. There was so much information to absorb and so much uncertainty ahead of me. The tiny bit of hope I was desperately trying to hold onto was disappearing quickly.
Then someone handed me a beautiful bag from Journey of Hope. I waited until I got home before opening it. I had been trying so hard to be strong for my family and friends. I didn't want them to see how frightened I really was. But when I opened that bag, the tears came.
Inside were so many wonderful things—things I didn't even know I would need. But the most important thing inside that bag wasn't something that could be bought or wrapped. It was love. Every item had been placed there by people who had already walked the road I was about to travel. I could feel that in every detail. There was the hat lovingly knitted by someone's hands that I would wear again and again. There were generous donations of gift cards and lotions. And there were the people who carefully packed each bag, knowing that one day it would land in the hands of someone who was scared and wondering what the future held. That someone was me.
Hope wasn't something I had allowed myself for most of my life. In fact, I often thought of hope as just another four-letter word. But that day, Hope became my mantra. I put on my warrior clothes and began my battle with cancer. And it truly was a journey of hope. As I moved through treatment, I began to understand just how perfectly named this incredible organization was.
Journey of Hope wasn't simply giving cancer patients a bag of useful things. They were reminding us that we were not alone. They were telling us, without even knowing our stories, We see you. We understand. We are walking with you. I knew then that someday I wanted to pay that love forward.
This is now the third year that my Krewe and I have participated in the Color Run. My Krewe stood beside me through every step of my cancer journey, and they were just as eager to support Journey of Hope as I was. My Purple Peeps from my LiveStrong group at the YMCA—which is also supported by Journey of Hope—have now joined me in this mission to pay it forward.
Cancer isn't a community I willingly chose to join. But it has become one of the most meaningful communities I have ever known. It has taught me that sometimes hope arrives in a bag, carried through a cancer center by a stranger. Sometimes it comes in the form of a knitted hat, a gift card, a kind word, or a hand reaching out to say, You don't have to do this alone. And sometimes, hope becomes something you carry inside yourself. That is what Journey of Hope gave me. They gave me hope when I wasn't sure I had any left.
They helped me find my warrior spirit. And now, every time I participate in the Color Run, every time I stand beside my Purple Peeps, and every time I have an opportunity to give back, I am reminded of that scared woman who walked through the cancer center doors for the first time. She didn't know what was waiting for her. She didn't know how strong she would become. She didn't know how many people would walk beside her. But she found Hope. And now, I want to help make sure that someone else finds it, too.
Because sometimes, a journey begins with a diagnosis.
But with love, community, and a little bit of hope, it can become a journey of healing, strength, and purpose.
Team Kevin
Diagnosed with CLL in 2023 at SECU Comprehensive Cancer Center, I am a patient of CarolinaEast Oncology and Hematology Associates', Dr Taylor. I am now in remission (CLL being chronic, not cured) I have my blood labs done every 6 months.¬ Since my diagnosis, I have been overwhelmed with the support that the Cancer Center, The Carolina Foundation, Journey of Hope, and the many support groups and individuals in this area provide.
My wife, Marilyn, and I have participated in the Colors4Cancer event since 2023. Each year family members and friends join us to support the event. Last year, while recovering from reconstructive foot surgery, I entered the event, walked the course with help from my team and Edie (my walking cane), completing the event by bringing up the rear! We also attended Flamingle in 2024, the fashion shows, and more.
We are not sure who will join Marilyn and I at this year’s event, but you can be sure we will be wearing our 2026 shirts!
Team Mimi’s New Song/Rabbit Strong/Megan’s Miles
I am blessed to be the Community Outreach and Office Coordinator for Journey of Hope. My journey began in 2005 with my first cancer diagnosis. I would receive wonderful medical care, but unfortunately no support system beyond that. Fast forwarding to 2015, I would have another cancer diagnosis but this time I would find support through Journey of Hope.
This is our team’s 10th Anniversary Color Run! I love ALL these people that have made up this team for the past 10 years!
My Why? Because I am so PROUD of the work WE do for cancer patients and their families in ENC!
Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005, I found myself under wonderful medical care, but the facility I was at would not have offer any support, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Fast-forward 10 years in 2015, I would find myself with a breast cancer diagnosis. This go around we would choose a different medical facility. As I was waiting for Dr. Gorman to come in, I noticed a beautiful chemo care bag waiting for me with the handwritten tag on top reading, “Journey of Hope”. The rest is history!
I walked my first 5K here at the color run while still in treatment!
A few weeks after finishing 13 months of treatment, Kim Hess would send me a message asking me to join the Journey of Hope family.
Our team also has chosen to include two special families.
Rabbit Strong
Robbert Trott (Rabbit) what’s not only a friend to us, but family as well. His wife, Tina and and there two daughters Jessica and Hollie were a great support system for me while I was going through cancer. Years after my diagnosis, Robert would find out that he had cancer. Just a few short weeks after his diagnosis, Robert went to be with the Lord. These folks are some of our dearest friends. We remember Rabbit.
Megan’s Miles
Megan Odum, another dear friend, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Megan went through several years of treatment and multiple surgeries. She is a shining example of a survivor, and we are honored to have her a part of our team!
In 2022, I was asked by the National Breast Cancer Foundation to share my cancer journey. The entire article can be found here if you are interested. I am blessed to continue to share my story through Journey of Hope where “Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.”
Sheri Smith
Team Running for Rodney
Team Running for Rodney was created in 2024 in memory of Rodney Bell who fought cancer in 2 different battles over a span of 25 years. Even with a tough diagnosis of lung cancer in 2022, he continued to be a servant to his community, church, and family. His entire life was built around teamwork and completing the mission. He was a volunteer firefighter for 44 years and worked with the N.C. Forest Service for 28 years deploying to wildfires and natural disasters.
Running for Rodney participates because battling cancer is a team effort with communities, friends, and family. It takes all of us to complete the mission.
Team Journeying for Jones
On April 22, 2026 I was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer. My family and friends have been a tremendous support group. Once my sister and Mom learned about the Color Run they immediately got on board with forming a team to show me support. That’s how Journeying 4 Jones was formed. My son jumped right in to be a sponsor without any hesitation.
I have been so blessed during this journey and give praise and honor to God for bringing me this far with minimal side effects. I still have 5 treatments left and appreciate all the prayers and support!
Wanda Jones
Team PSA Patrol
The PSA Patrol is walking in honor of Brandon “Brad” Suggs who fought metastatic prostate cancer for 5 years. He was a true warrior as he battled in a war that usually doesn’t effect a man in his 40s. He was courageous, steadfast and faithful until the Lord took him home on August 9th 2024 at age 47. We continue to honor his legacy by showing up even on the hardest of days because that’s what he did for his family and loved ones. Until we meet again may we never forget how truly blessed we are to have loved and been loved by Brandon.
Team Sister Sister
We are 3 sisters with a mom and dad who both have cancer. And they are both alive fighting giving it all they have. Mom has stage 4 pancreatic cancer she was diagnosed a year and a half ago in May. Was told she had 6 months to live. With God and family support she is still fighting. Dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma over 2 1/2 years ago. And still fighting. We are grateful for every day they are still here with us.
Team Faithfighters
Why do I walk? I have two reasons, the first is because I literally can. The second reason I want to show people that life still goes on after cancer (breast).
I am inspired by all the people who have already walked this journey before me. Through their stories, they show me that anything is possible. It’s definitely a God story.
My story: Last year this time I was recovering from my partial mastectomy. My wonderful husband decided to run on my behalf. Watching him and others come across the finish line bless me so much. I knew I wanted to do some thing on a bigger scale. So this year I created a team called Faithfighters. I have 15 people on my team and that is very exciting. My goal next year is to have even more. Faith, family, and friends are all you need to be Faith, family, and friends are all you need to get through life. God has blessed me so much and I am proud to participate in the Color Run.
Team Jack
Our why is Jack Wygand, the best husband, dad, and Papa. The Craig Brake Memorial Colors4Cancer Color Run will always hold a special place in our hearts because it brought so much hope for all of us during Jack’s fight with cancer. The year he was diagnosed with cancer, we put Team Jack together in an attempt to inspire him but what we didn’t expect was how much he inspired all of us as we watched him walk across the finish line, despite undergoing aggressive chemo and radiation treatment. He continued to inspire us throughout his battle with cancer all the way up to watching him walk across the finish line at this race one final time just 3 weeks before he completed his fight and earned his angel wings.
We cannot express enough gratitude to this event and Journey of Hope for the hope, strength, courage, and determination they inspired through Jack’s fight. We are honored to continue to remember and honor Jack while passing along the same hope to all of those that need it. We wish more than anything that he could be here with us, but since he can’t, we will carry the same strength, courage, and determination he showed us, and the love that will forever connect us to him. We do this for him, all of those currently fighting, all of the survivors, and all of the supporters who are forever changed by a cancer diagnosis.
Jack, you crossed the final finish line. Now we will cross it for you. We love you, we miss you, and we will carry you with us every step of the way.
