Amy Funk

My daughter was nine months old when my husband died of a malignant brain tumor.  I decided that I would do all I could to live, long and healthy, for my daughter.  I changed my eating habits and exercised regularly in the hopes of preventing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and the countless other ails that are preventable.  I became a fitness enthusiast, a fitness instructor, and eventually a marathon runner. Nine years later when I was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time, I was ready for the fight of my life.  Physical fitness did not make me invincible to cancer but it did help me tolerate the treatments and maintain a positive attitude.  My treatment team has been very respectful of my training schedule, working my most recent surgical procedures around my marathon races. Thank you, Dr. Schnaper, Dr. Slezak, Dr. Donegan, & Dr. Blumberg!  The other vital component of surviving and thriving after cancer is the support of family and friends.  My family and friends carried me and cared for my daughter throughout our journeys.  I am eternally grateful for their generosity and loving kindness.  Words are so inadequate to express the depth of my gratitude to my personal support network: Mom & Dad, Abby & Chris, Ken & Betsy, Greg & Nicki, Ginnie & Marilyn, my colleagues & friends at Gerstell Academy, South Carroll High School, & YMCA, my spiritual communities of the Newman Center, The Eleven, TCTMAYH, & Fr. Bob, and those who support research & development of cancer treatments & cures.  My prayer is that, although my daughter’s life has been touched repeatedly and changed significantly by cancer, may her body remain cancer-free!