Terry's Story; Paris, France Half Marathon
The Paris half marathon was more than a personal endeavor for me.  I now run with a purpose.  I Run to Remember.  Family and friends have donated money to support the National Hospice Foundation.  When I run, it is in memory of my grandparents, Helen and Dave.  My grandmother died in peace and with dignity in hospice care.  Their memory lives on through my running and it has added a new dimension to my efforts,  Running is no longer merely personal for me.  It is for a great cause.

Cal's Story; Houston Marathon
My association with Run to Remember and the National Hospice Foundation began in September of 2006, at the kickoff party for the Houston Marathon 2007.  My previous charity was no longer participating, and I felt that I should run for something.  I saw the sign for Run to Remember and the National Hospice Foundation, and immediately made a connection.  For all of us, the most important person in our life is our mother, and my mother was talking to me, even though she died ten years ago.  I knew that this is what my mother would have wanted, and if your mother was anything like my mother, you can understand my meaning.  What better reason for all of the price of the training, and all of the pains, injurys, and suffering --- than to bring some measure of relief to those who are dying.  If my running can bring just a few dollars for the hospices of America; if I can help in any way --- then I'll be there.
 
Sooo....   how about you?

Jeannee's Story ; Big Sur Marathon
Awesome and inspirational are the only words that describe the Big Sur International Marathon that our team completed on Sunday, April 30, 2006 in Carmel, California. I had no idea it would be memorable in so many ways! From the moment I saw the crowd around Run to Remember founder, Stuart Lazarus, at the EXPO’s Run to Remember/National Hospice Foundation booth… to meeting Hugo Ferlito, head of the BSIM… to the wake-up call at 3:30 am on Sunday morning… to crossing the finishing line on Sunday after 26.2 miles and 4 hours and 50 minutes of running… to the wonderful post-event celebration given on behalf of our running/walking team

Along with 4,000 other runners and walkers, we remembered our loved ones along what is undoubtedly the most beautiful marathon in the world.  I had no reason to finish the race that day, since just 30 hours before the race started; I was hit by a terrible case of food poisoning. Dehydrated and missing the carbo load I had anticipated, I set off on a journey that only my dad, George Parker, and my close running friend, Fred Cohen — through their divine intervention — could have helped me finish, and finish faster than a similar marathon I completed 10 years ago.

Through the support of many donors, our running team was able to raise $35,000 for NHF.  I can’t think of a better way to honor our loved ones than by completing a marathon, with the infrastructure provided by Run to Remember. It is an incredible way to support the work we all do in hospice and end-of-life care.

Barbara’s Story; Columbus Half Marathon
I ran in the Columbus 1/2 marathon in October, 2006 for Run to Remember in memory if my friend Jennifer Stanley Smith and it was my first organized race.  The day was fun and meaningful and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to do something for an organization that I believe in so strongly and for Jennifer. I did not know that in signing up to do this; it would bring me closer to my friend who died too soon at the age of 32.

It was meaningful to me to wear the blue bracelet each day of my training and think about Jennifer and our friendship, the funny times we had together, her smile and her fantastic belly laugh that I can still hear today.  

I know that the day and my efforts were meaningful to Jennifer's parents, who live in Columbus and were so excited to come out on race day and see me run.  I enjoyed sending out my updates, enjoyed gathering pictures to put on my website, and found that it wasn't difficult to raise money for hospice and certainly not for the memory of Jennifer. 

I wouldn't have been as motivated in putting on any t-shirt to run 13+ miles - wearing Jennifer's name made me so proud and gave me extra incentive to do a good job.  I had a fantastic time on race day - I was worried that I would be emotional but found myself having so much fun, as if Jennifer were running alongside me cheering me on saying “GREAT JOB!  Just have fun!' WE had a fantastic time on race day”

Jenny's Story; Hartford Marathon, 10K
I signed up for Run to Remember having only completed one 10k in my life. I had never trained for anything beyond that. I had seen the pamphlet at work and became intrigued by the concept of assisting the hospice I worked for.  I had worked with many inspiring patients all of whom contributed to my learning and understanding about life and its fragility. I trained for 13 weeks preceding the race. The entire experience, from signing up, to running the race went as smoothly as I could have ever imagined. Stuart was a constant- emailing me encouragement, following my progress, and answering any question I might have (even if I asked it more than once). My friends and family who donated were so generous that I surpassed my goal.

Meg's Story; Big Sur Marathon
Since the passing of my father, John J. O’Toole fifteen years ago, I have desired a mode to express my appreciation for the gift of Hospice care. Over the years, my thoughts frequently return to the loving and compassionate caregivers involved in Dad’s final days. For my mother, brothers and me there was the serenity of a time to talk, pray, embrace, cry, and say good-bye.

On Jan. 1, 2005, I registered for what is known in running circles as one of the world’s most beautiful, lest we forget, daunting marathons. My purpose in completing this rugged 26.2 mile stretch of US 1 just south of Carmel, California, was to raise funds for the broad and comprehensive efforts of the National Hospice Foundation and the work of our local CHWC Hospice. As a member of Run to Remember, my journey honored the immortal memories of my father, John J. O’Toole, sister-in-law, Cindy O’Toole, brother-in-law, Andy Herman, and the many loved ones of generous supporters.

What was initially a training and fundraising project, became, for me, a far more profound voyage. As I sought the financial support of family and friends, I also sincerely wished for them to add their own loved ones to my memorial list – or “Special Heroes List”. Ninety-seven heroes made the trip to Big Sur with me..

Certainly this run, at what is billed as “the rugged edge of the Western world,” would not have been possible or imaginable without the memories of my father, my sister-in-law Cindy, my brother-in-law Gerb and the 94 loved ones of caring supporters who made this journey with me

Scot's Story; Houston Marathon
I took part in my first Marathon on April 25, 2004. My wife ran the 10k. It was a life changing experience for both of us. We ran for the same cause… Run to Remember. We contacted Stuart and loved what he was doing with his great organization. I had just lost my Grandmother at the ripe old age of 92, and on her final days Hospice was there to make her comfortable. They cared for her like family and even held a memorial service for her a few days after she passed. There were a couple of times I wanted to stop running on that cold, wet April day in Cleveland, but I couldn’t stop due to who, and what, I was running for. I would hope that the next time someone runs a marathon they not only do it for themselves but also for something bigger. Because when mile 22 comes around, you need more than good form, endurance, and strength. You need a little help from something bigger than yourself. For me that was my Grandmother's memory.

Kelly's Story; Supporter of a Run to Remember Runner
Being able to participate in Run to Remember gave myself and my family members a reason to set a goal for ourselves. It forced us to do something healthy in memory of our brother and son, Tony. What a testament to his life that we were choosing such a positive activity that reinforced health and life! As I waved and cheered on the side line (since I was just 3 wks post-arthroscopy) I saw another "Run to Remember" shirt going by. I said a silent "prayer" for that runner that his race would be painless, both physically and emotionally. This was a positive step for my family to commit to...to train, to get together, and to remember our brother, Tony. It was a "healing step". In fact it was 26.2 miles of "healing steps".

Stuart's Story; New York City Marathon
I have run several times for Run to Remember and each time has been great. The most vivid memory I have was from the Columbus Marathon in 2004. At about mile 17, I was getting pretty fatigued. The person I was running with saw all the names on my back. I think I had eight. Each person was significant to me—my grandfather, my uncle, a business friend, and others. Just when I was struggling, my friend asked me about each of these people by name. Suddenly their memories came alive again and I rambled for what seemed like hours about who they were and what they had meant to me. That it spelled me through a tough time in the race was good. The memory of their having seen me through tough times in my life was huge!!