LIVESTRONG BLOG

Meet Your Team LIVESTRONG Mentor: Barb Simmons

Feb 10, 2012 by Guest

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On February 19th, the streets of Austin will be a sea of yellow as the LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon/Half Marathon and Paramount 5K take place.

Team LIVESTRONG will be well represented by a diverse group of 575 runners.  For some, this is their first Team LIVESTRONG event, while for others this is their first running event.  Some are attempting a full or half marathon for the first time and others are veteran marathoners.  While the majority hail from The Lone Star State, others are traveling great lengths to Austin – Hawaii, Colorado, California, North Carolina, New York, and South Dakota are all represented.  We even have an international flair – alongside us will be one participant from Germany.

Some are cancer survivors, and others have loved ones that are survivors or loved ones currently in the battle for the lives.  And still, others have lost loved ones to cancer:  mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, husbands, wives, children, siblings, and friends. As such, we are all drawn together by a common bond – all have been impacted by cancer in one way or another.   And we are all sick of it.

I have been involved in numerous Team LIVESTRONG events running in memory of my husband, sister, mother and father, all whom have been lost to cancer.   My involvement with Team LIVESTRONG as both a participant and Team LIVESTRONG Fundraising Mentor allows me to turn my love for running into a personal battle against cancer.   The pain I feel as I race and train for full and half marathons is absolutely nothing in comparison to the pain I witnessed my husband and sister endure or the pain evident in the eyes of my children, nieces, and nephews as they deal with the loss of a parent on a daily basis.  These vivid memories are what propel me through difficult periods on training runs and during races.

The sense of community surrounding Team LIVESTRONG events has enriched my life in more ways than I could ever imagine.  The friendships, the support, the inspiration, the encouragement I receive not only during the event but days, weeks, years afterwards have truly allowed me to “survive” the impact cancer has placed upon my day to day life.

I run for those who cannot.  I run for those who need the services LIVESTRONG provides.  I run so those services are available to those not yet diagnosis.  I run so others are educated on making better lifestyle choices.  I run to support those left behind because of cancer.

And so do the 574 other members of Team LIVESTRONG taking over Austin on February 19th.
This amazing group has raised over $225,000 and is on course to break $300,000 before race day.
Consider joining us in Austin to run alongside us or perhaps consider volunteering to support those that are running.  If this event doesn’t work with your schedule or training, consider another event – there is something for everyone.  With each event, you will feel a sense of personal accomplishment while paying if forward to others that can benefit from LIVESTRONG.

I promise you will not regret it.

Barb Simmons
Team LIVESTRONG Mentor