Houston Woman Running 14 Marathons in 14 Weeks to Help Fight Brain Cancer
Posted Sunday, 17 June, 2007
(Sun River, OR – June 19, 2007) Some people find the passion of running in high school or college but not many people can say they loved this sport from childhood or would even think about signing up for 14 Marathons in 14 weeks! Charlotte Crotty is not like many people and on June 23rd she will be running in Sun River’s Pacific Crest Marathon, her 5th Marathon to date. Charlotte’s five year old son Mavric will also run, attempting one mile at each of her races to build toward his goal of a collective marathon.
“As a little girl, my mother and I went from one Marathon to another, watching my father run. This seemed like the norm, and best way to spend a weekend,” says Crotty, “and I always wondered what other kids did!”
At the age of 9, she and her father began to run on weekends. Beginning in the sixth grade, she found an interest of her own in track running. Years later, when Mavric, her son, was just three years old, they signed up and ran their first 5k as a Team and won! Marathon running, however, was still not part of her personal goal. So the question still remains; why is Crotty planning 14 Marathons over the next 14 weeks?
“It is not a long story“, begins Charlotte, “just a strangely magical one. This summer is the 14th anniversary of my mother’s death. She died of brain cancer. The magic is that she lived 14 years after being diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade 3, and was told she had no more than 6 months. The final magic to this number is that I was 14 when she disappeared from my life.”
“I have always wanted to be able to do something to honor my Mom’s life and in the process be able to help other people dealing with brain cancer. I want to recognize and give thanks to each one of these years and give hope to everyone who is facing the same sad and tragic news. No race, No Marathon can compare to the amount of faith, energy and strength it takes to fight a brain tumor, and I am in awe of all who can.”
The truth about brain tumors is frightening. Every day in the United States, 500 adults and children are diagnosed with brain tumors. ”What Charlotte is doing is so very important not only to those diagnosed with brain cancer but for their friends and family.” Every day in the United States, 500 adults and children are diagnosed with brain tumors. There are 120 different types of brain tumors both primary and secondary. Tumors that spread from cancer in another part of the body to the brain affect 15% - 20% of all cancer patients.
To help Charlotte raise dollars for the National Brain Tumor Foundation’s patient and research programs and to see a photo of her son’s first race, visit her site: http://www.firstgiving.com/CharCrotty
The National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF) is a non-profit organization that serves people whose lives are affected by brain tumors. NBTF is dedicated to promoting a cure for brain tumors, improving the quality of life and giving hope to the brain tumor community by funding meaningful research and providing patient resources, timely information and education.
For more information contact the National Brain Tumor Foundation at 800.934.CURE (2873) or visit their website at www.braintumor.org.
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