Absolutely Honored – Phoenix Undy Run
November 20, 2011 at 7:02 am Danielle B 4 comments
There have been a few bumps along this cancer journey that have made some of the hard days “worth it.” Hot air balloon ride? Worth it. Colondar shoot? Double worth it. And yesterday, I felt absolutely honored by my mom’s best friend, Terri, and her hubby, Bruce, who drove hours just to run in the Phoenix Undy Run in my honor (and left at 5am by the way…). Triple worth it.
To have people go out of their way to run on my behalf still has me speechless even now. I’m honored in a way that I can’t describe, except that it feels really good and really humbling. I don’t only feel so loved, but I feel like some of the hard days that I went through might be able to help someone else. Whether it’s giving them stamina to run or raising awareness that colon cancer can happen in young people, too – it’s awesome to see the message getting out there. I’m absolutely honored and humbled.
I’m thankful for the Colondar that opened the door for me to start talking about my experience, and that it got my story “out there.” (Terri met someone at the race who said she often tells my story to people she talks to in Arizona.. crazy!) And I’m so thankful for great friends who help carry on the message of colon cancer awareness … and hope for survival … from city to city, and in this case, state to state.
Thanks again Ahlfs, you absolutely made my day! (enjoy a few pics I stole from Terri’s Facebook!)
Bruce at Phoenix Undy
Terri at Phoenix Undy
Their sign for me... this rocks.
Bruce holding a copy of the 09 Colondar they got at the race!
Entry filed under: Colon Stories, Colondar, Everything Colon. Tags: colon cancer, colondar, undy 5000 run phoenix, undy run, young colon cancer survivor.
Semicolon Stories 
1.
Bruce Ahlf | November 20, 2011 at 9:59 am
Like the sign we wrote out says WE RUN TO HONOR YOU It was a honor to be able to do this for you Danielle…You are very welcome..
2.
Bruce Ahlf | November 20, 2011 at 10:21 am
We had such a great time yesterday. We already have it on the list to do again next year but next year we will do some fund-raising along with the run. The lady we talked to was part of the colon cancer coalition here in Az. She gets out and gives talks all over the state to bring awareness. I told her that you are married now and had just adopted a little girl this year. She was so excited to hear that and said she will also use that in her speech to show that you can survive, life does go on, etc. You were my inspiration yesterday because I don’t always run the whole 5k but yesterday that was the goal. If you could fight the battle you fought at 17 then at 56 I can run every step of that 5k. Bruce said he certainly could see me coming in those red and white socks as I poured it on that last half mile. ha. We were happy to do this run in your honor. It was worth getting up at 4:30 am and driving the two hours. The fact that 10 yrs later you are here and that we could do this for you was the best.
3.
Bruce Ahlf | November 20, 2011 at 10:22 am
Oh the 2nd comment is me (Terri) not Bruce.
4.
linda | November 21, 2011 at 7:55 am
Your story brought tears to my eyes! Thanks Ahlf’s for honoring our daughter (in-law). Danielle – YOU are worth all of it!!!