“Cancer Changed My Life,” Says Mette Earlywine, Mom Of Four-Year-Old Cancer Survivor, Zoe.

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By: Amy Rowley

On January 14, runners will begin a sixteen week training program for endurance races around the Northwest.  They gather to train and support each other through the grueling preparation for full and half-marathons.  But, this group of runners also shares something else – a goal to end childhood cancer.

Rally NW, the local chapter of Georgia’s Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, (Rally) gathers people interested in running or walking long-distances.  Rally provides team leaders and coaches to reach the finish line.  Athletes raise money to support Rally’s mission while focusing on individual goals to accomplish a full or half-marathon.

When Kathi Clarke lost her 14-year-old niece to Burkitts Lymphoma, she began looking for a foundation that supports research specifically for childhood cancer.  In 2009, she discovered Rally and approached the organization about starting a team to run in local, Pacific Northwest races.

“In our first year, we were hoping for twenty runners to join our team.  We recruited 84 people and raised over $96,000!” says Kathi, who serves not only as a Rally NW team leader but also works for Rally as the Rally Athlete Program and Events Manager.

Rally operates at 93% efficiency which means that for every dollar raised, $.93 goes directly towards the organization’s mission, according to independently audited financials.  Families with children who have fought or are fighting cancer are encouraged to become Rally Kids.  Athletes learn about Rally Kids’ personal stories and treatments and become an extended family to the Rally Kids.  Rally also provides financial and emotional support to local families while children undergo treatment.

“Rally athletes can direct their funds locally where many of our Rally Kids are being treated.  Donors appreciate knowing that their money is being used here, to help local families,” reports Kathi.

Each athlete is expected to raise a minimum dollar amount prior to running their race.  “People may be intimidated to join Rally’s team because of the fundraising aspect,” says Rally athlete Molly Sjoboen.  “The team is so supportive.  We help each other walk, run, and fund raise,” she continues.  As a creative solution to raising money, Molly started the Olympia Pub Crawl three years ago.  Over the past few years, the event has grown and evolved into an entire weekend event, including the pub crawl and the Rally Run & Crawl 5k event.  This year, her goal is to raise $10,000 at the event, scheduled for August 4th.

“Rally raises money for childhood cancer research.  They are funding research that is vital for the discovery of better treatments and someday a cure for all childhood cancers,” says Rally athlete Nicki Eisfeldt.

Mette never was a runner, but she also never expected her six-month-old baby, Zoe, to be diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer either.  “My family was shocked when I announced that I was going to train for a half-marathon,” she says.  After undergoing difficult surgeries, chemotherapy, and aggressive treatments, Zoe is alive and celebrating a major milestone – four years post-diagnosis.

“I am motivated to run for research.  I do not want anyone else to have to go through what Zoe experienced,” continues Mette.  “Her story is compelling because she is alive when the survival rate was so dismal.  Research helped her survive but we need better treatments.  I run so that researchers can answer the question ‘Are there better answers if her cancer comes back?’” declares Mette.

“I trained for my first marathon in 2010.  There are so many times your body hurts and you just want to stop.  Any time those thoughts creep into my head, I flash to a picture of Rally Kid Mia.  I tell myself – ‘If she can fight, I can do this – no excuses,’” reports Nicki.

Nicki articulates it best.  “I run for Mia who’s fighting, for Zoe who has been cancer free for 4 years, for Rhema and Kelsie who both battled a battle none of us could image, but lost.  I run for their families.  I run for the hope of better treatments.  I run to help find a cure.”

To learn more about Rally NW, please click here.  Join Rally NW and other interested athletes in the Olympia Rally Fun Run at Marathon Park on January 14th at 9:00 am.

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