She's why I do what I do

My mom;
​                young
                           beautiful
                                           smart
                                                      loving
                                                                 caring
                                                                            selfless...
​
I could go on and on.

She is the reason I do what I do. 

As a teenager my mother and I enjoyed many outdoor and indoor activities together; rollerblading, tennis, racquetball, sporting events, weight training and ice skating, to name a few. I mostly enjoyed playing racquetball and working-out with her at the club we belonged to in Pittsburgh, PA.  

One day, as a tenth grader, I remember my mom saying she felt sore, especially in her legs. At first she passed it off, thinking it was soreness from playing racquetball. After chronic discomfort she went to see her physician. It wasn't until numerous trips to the doctors, insisting something was seriously wrong, he diagnosed her with having Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. After receiving this diagnosis, she was told she had one year to live...she lived 9 more months.

Why do I exercise and eat right on a daily basis? Research shows by eating a healthy diet, maintaining weight and being physically active will help reduce the risks of getting cancer.  

When I was in the eleventh grade, my mother passed away at the young age of 48. I work out to live a healthy life, but mainly I want to be here for my sons for a very long time.  

Since high school, I have been active by running and weight training. I am thankful to be living a happy, cancer free, active life for 51 years now! ​

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