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What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

It is a true honor to raise money for a disease that personally impacted my family so deeply. Having lost my mother to this indiscriminate killer. I run on behalf of those that cannot.  

Who are you running for?

I am running in memory of my mother, Charla Aycock. 

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I run because

It keeps me healthy and young (at heart)!

My mantra on tough runs is “You can do anything for (insert time).”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is thank God for another good run – and then find my family to celebrate!

On my running playlist: “The Distance” by Cake
I am a Certified Group Exercise Instructor so many of my runs include “study time” for upcoming Les Mills BodyPump or BodyAttack releases. If I am not doing that, I am often listening to a true crime podcast.

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

Fundraising for lung cancer research is personal because of my father. His journey showed me the urgent need for better treatments and care, and contributing to research is my way of honoring him while making a difference for others facing this disease.

Who do you run for?

My father 

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I run because I can turn my grief into action for a cause that matters.

My mantra on tough runs is “strong legs, stronger heart.”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is hug all my family and friends and go out and celebrate!!!

On my running playlist: That’s so true by Gracie Abrams

Favorite food while training: Pasta and steak. A lot of carbs + protein before a big race/big practice.

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

Fundraising for lung cancer research is deeply personal to me because the progress we make in the lab directly impacts patients’ lives, and that work cannot happen without funding. As a lung cancer researcher, I know first-hand how essential it is to have sustained funding in order to continue working towards answers that patients and families are waiting for.

I am running to honor the patients whose lives motivate and guide my research.

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I run because it’s a great way to stay healthy and challenge myself!

My mantra on tough runs is”just make it through the next song”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is cry with joy and eat a banana.

On my running playlist: “Places to be” by Fred Again, Anderson, Paak, CHIKA

My running playlist is a weird combination of throwback songs, Arcane/League of Legends music, and Kpop…whatever hypes me up!

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

Lung cancer research means finding ways to put an end to a disease that so many are affected by. I watched my grandmother at the age of 89, bravely fight this disease until the end. I would love nothing more to have had a cure to end the disease when she was still here, but I will do all in my power to stop anyone else from losing a loved one to it. 

Who do you run for?

My Nana – Selma Hoovis

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I run because of Nana.

My mantra on tough runs is“I can do hard things.”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is probably cry and then get a donut.

My running playlist: Eye of the Tiger

Favorite food while training: Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Pancakes

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

I’m running for my aunt who was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Thanks to research, she was diagnosed in the early stages and received surgery quickly. 

I run because what a gift it is to be able to move my body and it really supports my mental health

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My mantra on tough runs is

I have four:

• do it anyways
• discipline > motivation
• i can do hard things
• you do not yield

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is probably yell with excitement and joy and then go find my family and friends to celebrate with them.

On my running playlist: Victory Lap by Fred again…, Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax

Favorite training snack: So during our college soccer halftimes, our coaches and staff would give us gushers so during my longer hard runs, I typically eat 1-2 packs of those to mix it up! Also nerd gummy clusters to add some fun. 

Training partner: I don’t have a training partner, but sometimes my husband or friends will run sections of my runs with me or call me when they know I need to be at conversational pace. It really helps me keep things light on the days where things need to be easy.

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

I’m running in honor of my grandmother who battled lung cancer for 20+ years. It means a lot to help fundraise for such a great organization for the second time. 

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I run because it’s a fun challenge

My mantra on tough runs is “just keep going.”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is celebrate with everyone.

On my playlist: Astrovan by Mt Joy

Favorite food while training is all the carbs!

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

Fundraising for lung cancer research means giving hope to families who are facing one of the hardest moments of their lives. Watching my pap battle lung cancer has shown me how devastating this disease can be—not only for the person diagnosed, but for everyone who loves them. Supporting research means helping advance better treatments, earlier detection, and ultimately a future where fewer families have to experience that pain. Being able to contribute, whether through fundraising or running, is my way of honoring my pap and helping make a difference for others facing the same journey.

Who do you run for?

I am running in honor of my pap, who beat lung cancer. Watching him go through that journey showed me just how much strength, resilience, and hope it takes to overcome this disease. I know that advances in research have helped make stories like his possible, and I want to help ensure more families have the chance to celebrate those same victories. Every mile I run is a tribute to his perseverance and a way to support continued progress in the fight against lung cancer.

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I run because every step is a way to honor my Pap’s strength

My mantra on tough runs is “I’m running for something bigger than myself.”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line will be to cry, knowing every mile was worth it and that I helped make a difference.

On my running playlist: Victory Lap by Fred again

Who is your training support? My Fiance (Nick) is my training partner! He’s completed 5 marathons and 4 halfs, so I really owe him for getting me through a lot of my long runs.

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you? Who do you run for?

Andy, a husband, father of two, and brother in law to my close friend Jamie has a rare form of lung cancer. Fundraising for a cause that can help him and his family, or future people in similar situations is a powerful thing to support. Andy is a great game master during our winter break excursions, and I intend to support him toward being game master for much longer.

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I run because I feel alive

My mantra on tough runs is “Look forward and up”

The first thing I’ll do after crossing the finish line is smile.

On my playlist: Mt Joy by Mt Joy

Favorite training snack: strawberry banana smoothie!

What does fundraising for lung cancer research mean to you?

Fundraising for lung cancer research is a cause very near to our hearts. We are running in honor of Sam’s uncle, who passed away from lung cancer in September. We are fundraising in his honor to help a create a world where this disease doesn’t have to impact so many.

Who do you run for?

Jeff Rohloff

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We run because (we both) have a healthy body that lets us and we don’t take that for granted!

Our mantra on tough runs is “You can do hard things.”

The first thing we’ll do after crossing the finish line: celebrate :)!

The song that gets us through the last mile: We are crazy and chat while we run. But NY state of mind will be pretty epic!

Your training partner: We are each other’s training partner and it makes training so fun!