This weekend, I had the pleasure of being apart of such an amazing event: the Cancer Resource Center Walkathon and 5K! The Cancer Resource Center in Ithaca, raises its yearly funds at this events and is the reason why there is hope amongst cancer survivors and patients. They work to create support groups and provide patients and their family’s information about treatment and prognosis.

We arrived at Cass Park in the chilly and rainy weather. Everyone was making small talk with one another and we joined in on the conversation. We got to meet cancer survivors and families of cancer patients who all came out for a cause  they support. Their stories of hope and sadness touched my heart and made me even more motivated to walk! When the walkathon began, me and my friend decided to walk faster than our group and power walk the 3 miles. We were supported by volunteers cheering us on and little performances on the side that motivated us to keep going or else I would have sat down because I was tired. I really had a great time coming out and seeing how a small town like Ithaca was so connected by such amazing people who wanted to make a difference.

As a busy student, I always tend to ignore myself and outside events and just focus on my coursework. However, going to this walkathon and 5K made me realize how wholesome it is to go off campus and support great initiatives. Walking in the walkathon as people cheered me on overjoyed my little heart. It then hit me how me just walking in this event was making a difference for someone in need. It made me so happy and I realized that I really want to start making differences in people’s lives through events like this. Catch me at the next walkathon/5K and maybe this time I will actually run the 5K.