Nearly 20 years ago I lost my grandfather (we call him Pepe) to lung cancer. Just over a decade later his daughter, my mother's sister, and my Aunt Valerie also passed away from lung cancer. My family is no stranger to asthma, nor yet to everything that COVID can do to a person. My son's summers are being stolen from him by increasingly ferocious wildfire smoke seasons.
Everywhere any of us turn there is a reason to fight for preventions, treatments, and cures for lung disease and to advocate for clean air and a liveable future.
I'm climbing Mt. St. Helens to raise money for the American Lung Association and celebrate the memory of my very missed and much loved Pepe and Aunt.
I proud to be a part of this community bringing resources to support research, advocacy and education that will lead to more successful preventions, treatments, and cures for lung diseases.
Thank you for your donation!
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Ouch...
Okay so we're still more than two months out and there's so much time for so much to happen. I'm also, BTW, less than four weeks out from my running of the Tacoma City Marathon. I mention that because that makes this all the more frustrating: I've got a pinched nerve. I can't move or rest without pain and all training (and most other things) are on pause. I missed out on a few hikes with my fellow ALA climbers which breaks my heart and the starting line for Tacoma seems farther away that it ever was. Still. That's not really what it's about right? I will try to climb, I will heal and get my fitness back. But this is *really* about the work of the ALA, about my carrying my love and memory of those I've lost to lung disease forward, on whatever path I can. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery! ...but that's only a part of it.
by Roland Carette-Meyers on Mon, Apr 01, 2024 @ 11:42 AM
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