In July, 2005, I was diagnosed with a meningioma. I was stunned. I could not say “brain tumor” without falling apart. But I could not dwell on this - as I had to prepare my daughters.

As a single mother, all I could think about is how this would affect them. Talking to them about this was the hardest conversation I ever had with them. No parent should have to put such pressure on their children.

On October 19, 2005, I had surgery where the tumor was successfully removed. To celebrate, I decided to do a half marathon...having never run more than a 5k before. On December 10, 2006, just shy of my 50th birthday, I completed my first race in Vegas. What a thrill to go over the finish line! I was so overwhelmed with emotion! It was a celebration of life as well as the completion of the race.

This year, on the three-year anniversary of my surgery, I am heading out to San Francisco for the Nike Women’s Race. This will be my 4th half marathon. To celebrate this milestone, I have partnered with Team McGraw to help raise funds for brain tumor research and to increase public awareness of the disease.

Over 200,000 adults and children annually receive a diagnosis of brain cancer. We need your help to support research so we can eradicate this disease and improve the quality of life of those affected by the disease.

Please help me help this foundation find a cure by supporting me as I run for those who are living with this disease as well as those we lost because of it!

Ya Gotta Believe!

Madeline