This year #TeamJudy is Racing for the Cure!

My mom Judy passed away in early April of 2012 from breast cancer. Since her passing, I have made every attempt to continue her memory and legacy through fundraisers and races around the Tampa Bay Area.

Judy was the sun. She illuminated her world with her incomparable joy, generosity and positivity. I would often find my mother creating gift baskets and packages for people that had shown her kindness. She was always the first to show her thanks. My mother was the matriarch and party planner of our families. She brought people together, and ensured everyone had the time of their lives. Judy exuded positivity and hope. Even on her most difficult of days, she found the strength to take care of others- even if it was a phone call to her children offering us a home-cooked meal.

The week after her passing I formed Team Judy as a way to “keep going” and remember my mother. My mother’s favorite color was orange, so that became Team Judy’s color, instead of breast cancer awareness’s signature pink. I didn’t want to remember my mother for her disease; just her bright spirit, so orange it was. We created t-shirts, Team Judy awareness bracelets, and began fundraising for our first race, the Miles for Moffitt 5k in May of 2012. Over 70 friends, family members and coworkers joined our team, raising over $3,000 in just a few weeks. It was amazing and I was so humbled by the support for my mom and the cause. We regrouped for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k in October and it was amazing to see all the orange dappled throughout the sea of pink! Two years later, TeamJudy is going strong.

This year, I registered TeamJudy for the Komen Race for the Cure because I want to continue to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer through our team efforts. We would LOVE to see TeamJudy grow as we continue to remember my mom Judy and FIGHT for a cure. Susan G. Komen started in 1999 and since then has funded over $13 million in grants, and provided funding for over 41,500 mammograms which have led to the detection of over a thousand cases of breast cancer! Additionally, this organization has provided education, support, and treatment to the uninsured and under-insured men and women in the armed forces. To find a program or services in your area visit Komensuncoast.org.

Please join us for a 1 mile, 5k, or 10k walk in beautiful Carillon Park in St. Pete on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 7:30am. Carillon Park is easy to get to from anywhere around the Bay Area, and has ample on-site parking near the start and finish line! What’s even better? Echelon, the management company for Carillon Park has offered use of the area for FREE. Which means a greater percentage of funds will be going directly towards breast cancer funding! 

We’ll be wearing our ORANGE once again to represent my mom Judy! The link to register for this event is below. Click on the link, then click “Join Stephanie’s Team” (the pink button on the left). 

Cannot attend? Please consider making a donation in Judy’s honor! To make a donation, click on the link below, then click “Donate to Stephanie”. 

Here is our team page link to make donations or join our team. http://suncoast.info-komen.org/goto/teamjudy

Thank you SO much for your continued support in our fundraising endeavors, and making sure the spirit of #TeamJudy is never forgotten! 
-Steph 🙂

Disclosure:  I am a Susan G. Komen Florida Suncoast Race for the Cure RAC Pack Ambassador and I received a complimentary entry to the Race for the Cure 5k in exchange for promoting and sharing my race experience. The photos and opinions shared in the race recap are my own.

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