Distraught by the death of a beloved relation who died of a rare form of cancer, Caitlin Kummeth felt compelled to do something more about it.
The 25-year-old Pacific Beach resident is joining the battle against the disease by participating in her first fundraising run at the 21st annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon Sunday, June 3.
Until now, Kummeth has only completed half marathons and triathlons.
Of her inspiration to do a full marathon, Kummeth said: “I will never forget the smile that cracked from a sunken face, and eyes that glowed through the jaundice, as I walked in the hospital room to share what would be my final words with my uncle Greg. A gentle, kind, thoughtful man, who put other’s happiness before his own.”
Noting her uncle was diagnosed with GIST, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, dying from it weeks later leaving behind sons Jeffrey, 9, and Andrew, 6, Kummeth vowed: “Together, we can change that. Please consider donating to my first 26.2-mile run at the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon to honor Greg and ‘all’ those who have suffered from the effects of cancer.”
Kummeth said all proceeds raised from her GoFundMe.com page will go directly to renowned Temple Fox Chase Cancer Center in Pennsylvania in Greg’s name to further research and treatment for GIST.
“With every donation I receive, I feel a connection with the donor towards a greater purpose,” said Kummeth. “I cannot begin to describe how humbling it is to have the support of family, friends and community. I am in awe every day.”
Kummeth said her fundraising drive “is all about awareness. Everyone has, or knows of someone, who’s been affected by cancer or lost a loved one to it. Too often we allow our pain to sit with us and keep it all in.”
Kummeth said her objective is to “marry my passion for running with the altruism of my personality to give back by donating to cancer research.” Want to help? What: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon. Where:?Sunday, June 3. Donate:?To date, the GoFundMe.com page of Caitlin Kummeth has raised $3,657 of her $5,000 goal for contributing to cancer research.
