“My name is Glen, I am an average middle-aged guy. I’ve lived in Canberra most of my life, with my wife, Kristy, and children Haydn and Caitln.
Whilst there are many organisations doing great work to support and research different types of cancers and treatments, few are as ambitious or as bold as ACRF, which is why I have put my support toward an organisation with ACRF’s mission of outsmarting cancer.
Around 2010 my wife Kirsty asked me to participate in a fitness fundraising event. So, to prepare I needed to get fit. I started running during my lunch breaks. The first run I could barely run 1K. But I was determined. I ran as far as I could, about 1K. I took note of the post I just passed, then turned around and walked back. Next run, ok to the post and then a couple of 100m more to the gate. I repeated this over several weeks finding a new point each time. Before I knew it I was doing a 7K loop up and over Mount Ainslie multiple times a week.
So what next? Maybe a marathon? Back to training. More running. 42K, Maybe? There is a longer option, if you are up to it, you can pre-register for the ultra 50K. I’m in. But I didn’t tell anyone as I didn’t know if I could do the 42 let alone 50. So, there we are, friends and family cheering me into each he 42 finishing line, I veer to the ultra lane. I could see them saying, ‘Hey where’s Glen going?! He hasn’t stopped!’ And off I go to complete the ultra.
After Mum was diagnosed she came to watch me run my next marathon, it was an extremely difficult one for me this time around as I was filled with emotions. On completion, Mum told me how proud she was of me. I whispered back to her, “If you keep coming back to watch me, I’ll keep coming back to run the marathon.”
Mum is still here, I am still running. Mum is a real battler and is the bravest person I know. Running and training is hard, but those with cancer and other illnesses are the real heroes. They don’t get the rest after finishing a run or get to stop after crossing the finish line. It’s like Mum is running her own marathon every hour and day. Keep going Mum until you are ready to cross your finish line.
It is hard to understand the impact cancer has on you until it affects someone close to you. Whilst I am saddened and still a little angry that Mesothelioma will take my Mum well before her time, I am hopeful that one day we will find a cure. If we all do a bit to raise awareness and provide support to cancer research, future generations will be able to live without the fear and sadness that cancer brings.
Since there is no one type of cancer, they fund research into them all. I was pleasantly surprised when ACRF contacted me directly to thank me for my efforts and wanted to know more about my story, they sent me a pack of goodies from sponsoring brands and contacted me to personally thank me. It really made me gratified that I chose ACRF when they showed how appreciative they were of my efforts.”
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