My name is Mandy Frith, and I’m writing today to tell you about my niece, Kelsie.
Kelsie was just 13 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a deadly form of childhood cancer. She fought with strength and courage for over three years before she left this earth and went to spend the rest of her days in Heaven.
More important than her death, though, is her life. Kelsie lived with so much grace, courage, and strength. She showed my family what it means to be selfless and hopeful in the face of fear and uncertainty.
And that’s why my family chooses to Run For Their Lives every single year in her honor and memory. When someone’s first diagnosed, or you first lose a child, everybody’s there to comfort you. But then people forget and they go about their lives. And that’s not a criticism, that’s just the way it is.
But for me and for Kelsie’s parents and her sisters, we think every day about how much we miss her. Run For Their Lives is just a way for us to remember her and honor her year after year.
In fact, AL.com just posted an article about our RFTL team, Kelsie’s Crew. I’d love for you to take the time to read it here:
www.al.com/sponsor-content/?scid=164205&prx_t=95cGAAAAAABbcLA#
And you know what, I’d love it even more if you chose to Run For Their Lives with us in April! We will be walking, running, and biking for the whole month in order to raise awareness for childhood cancer, honor Kelsie’s memory (and others who have lost their lives to this monstrous disease), and helping to fund research and find cures.
The best part is that your registration will fund one whole hour of research. Of course I hope you’ll run, walk, or ride with us, but even if you choose just to register, that’s huge.
Until there’s a cure,
Mandy
