13th Annual WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon

$97,004.89!

You did it, again! 2023 was another incredibly successful year for the WMass Mother's Day Half Marathon.

I am proud to report that--through the support of more than 30 local business sponsors, 326 participants, and dozens of volunteers--we were able to raise $97,004.89 to support Cancer Connection, Inc., a nonprofit community cancer support center serving individuals and families in Western Massachusetts.

Please take a few minutes to check out this event recap to see just how successful we were this year.

Also, please check out our list of sponsors below. I encourage you to support these local businesses throughout the year. To learn more, click on each company's logo to visit their website.

To everyone who participated, fundraised, donated, volunteered, ran, walk, and even shared our posts...THANK YOU!

Sue Monahan, Race Director

326 participants crossed the finish line

You raised $97,004.89 this year for Cancer Connection, bringing our 13-year grand total to...

$614,891.70!!!

Meet Our Top Fundraisers...

Tara Brewster

Year after year, Tara Brewster's name appears near (or at) the top of our fundraiser list.

This year is no different. I asked her why she participates in this race and here is her response.

"Since my mom died in 1997, I have felt untethered from mother earth. As many times, as I have fallen into a well, I have climbed out. Once I realized that no one but myself was going to reattach my tethers to earth, I begin to reattach that myself. I live a life in service of other, by doing this I am able to feel closer to my mom. I know that through my heart, my volunteering, my fundraising, my character, and my love she would be proud of me. Every year during this race I cry. I cry for the 16 year old that lost her mother in 1997. I cry for all of the hard years in between. I cry for the motherless souls in the world. I cry for the beautiful 43 year old that continues to embody her spirit in this world. I love you Sue Monahan, thank you for your big mother of a heart and efforts to make this happen year after year. I know it ain’t easy and I appreciate you. Happy Mothers Day."

XXOO,

Tara

Angie Savageau

Our next Top Fundraiser Shout-Out goes to Angie Savageau!

Her story is amazing.....

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Bi-lateral mastectomy and chemo and tamoxifen for 5 years. I ran my first half marathon in 2018 and it was the Mother’s Day Half! I raised the $300 in a day."

"Fast forward to 2022 and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Uterine Cancer. I had a full hysterectomy, six rounds of chemotherapy over 18 weeks or so, and then 25 radiation sessions. I set a goal of running this half marathon as my post treatment “comeback” race and became very determined to do so. I set the goal raising $300 and met that almost immediately."

"The people who donated and supported me along this journey really helped me stay positive and continue to fight and reach my goal! I completed the half in under 3 hours by run/walk intervals. I had so much support by friends and family and the 4RUN3 run group. I literally finished treatment and beat cancer for the second time and completed this half! My husband, family, and friends waited at the finish line and I was in tears of joy. I didn’t think I would even be here today! I hope to help others now and hope the funds I raised help others battling get through it. I only can hope my journey will give HOPE to others! Thank you so much!"

Angie...you and your Team Angie Strong are an inspiration! Thank YOU for making such a big impact this year!

Kevin Bazan

"I chose to fundraise because it gave me an opportunity to learn more about the Cancer Connection. I host the morning show on Bear Country 95.3 and I was able to interview Chelsea from the Cancer Connection. Both me and my listeners were educated on how many people benefit from their services every day. For the three weeks leading up to the event I would talk about my preparation for the race and where pledge money was going."

"People were generous. Listeners I have never met before were coming up to me at radio station events and giving me pledge money. It made me feel good and I thought about all of those people who pledged over the 13.1 miles. I couldn't let them down. I look forward to running in 2024 and crushing a new pledge goal! I encourage everyone to try running the WMASS Mother's Day Half Marathon. It is a great course with lots of supporters along the way and a wonderful organization directly benefits from it!"~Kevin

Joan Griswold

She works hard fundraising and gives this race her all.....

"Cancer sucks, I know this first hand. Way too many of us have been diagnosed with it, and far too many have not succeeded with the treatments.. I got lucky, or did I...."

"This year marks my ninth year since completing a long journey of surgeries, chemical cocktails and treatments. In October of 2021 I was not feeling right, turns out I was a walking time bomb. I went in for a heart catherization procedure and had a heart attack during the procedure. I was told it was clear the damage that I had endured was from the chemo I took in. I got myself three stents as a souvenir."