Since this blog is supposed to be about the Massey Challenge, I should probably tell you a bit about what that is. After 6 years, its pretty difficult for me to explain the Massey Challenge. Thats part of what this blog is for, really - to show you what it is over the next few months, rather than try to put it into words. But I'll do my best.
Official Answer:
In 2013, the VCU Massey Cancer Center will be the official charitable partner of the Ukrops Monument Avenue 10K, in Richmond, Virginia. The 10K isn't a charity race, though, so registration fees don't come back to Massey. For the last seven years, the Massey Challenge has been a way for those running and walking in the 10k to also separately raise funds to support Massey while also training for their walk or run. The Monument Avenue 10K is a big deal in Richmond - and beyond really - with a start line that looks something like this:
(Thats a bad picture, but I'm usually in the thick of things and not at the start line, so use your imagination). Thats just a few of the over 40,000 people who line up to run down Monument Avenue in early spring each year. And of those, about 1,500 have opted to take on the Massey Challenge in each of the last several years, helping us to raise around $500,000 to support research and advancements at Massey each year.
Funds raised through the Massey Challenge go into the Director's discreationary fund - allowing him to determine where Massey has the greatest need for funding right this very second. That means that the money raised as part of the 2013 Massey Challenge will go to work immediately to start making headway in Massey's labs, clinics, and outreach projects.
Amazing, right?
Unofficial Answer:
The Massey Challenge is amazing, uplifting, emotional, heart-wrenching, laugh-inducing, bond-building, and life-altering.
Its the Banner of Hope.
Its black and gold.
Its an entire city joining together to raise funds to support patients in their community and research that will impact the world.
Its children running for classmates, daughters running for fathers, cousins running for each other, patients running for their doctors, and strangers running for strangers.
The Massey Challenge is Love.
Hope.
Strength.
A guarantee that one day patients will never have to hear "you have cancer" again.
Amazing, right?
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I love talking about VCU Massey Cancer Center, my story, and the Massey Challenge! I also just love hearing from others supporting Team Massey! Drop me a comment - I'd love to hear from you!