Freeny running for a great cause in New York City
Published 11:58 am Thursday, November 3, 2011
When Cynthia Freeny runs in this year’s prestigious ING New York City Marathon Sunday to support the American Cancer Society, she won’t be alone on the 26.2-mile course.
Her jersey is covered with the names of lives touched by cancer, survivors on the front and dearly departed on the back.
“This is by far one of the most rewarding things I’ve done,” Freeny said. “The people whose names are on the front of my shirt, they’re going to cross the finish line with me. The folks that lost their battle with cancer, Wanda (Caruthers) and I consider them my angel wings and they’re going to help me get through this. I’m convinced there is a cure out there.”
But one name will stick out in Freeny’s mind and heart while she weaves through the five boroughs. Her good friend, Caruthers, will be her strength as she runs a grueling course that starts at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and ends in Central Park.
“People think marathoners are tough, but I don’t face nearly the challenges that Wanda faces,” Freeny said. “The training I do pales when I think about what the people who have this horrible disease go through on a daily basis. I don’t know tough.”
Last year, when Freeny started the Marathon Makeover project, she intended for Caruthers to join her. But Caruthers had a problem with her foot and told her friend that she’d join her in next year’s program.
Then came Caruthers’ cancer diagnosis and those plans were derailed.
Survivors and families of people, both touched by this horrible disease, gathered last week at Caruthers’ Vicksburg home to tell their stories and sign Freeny’s shirt.
Just to get into the field for the American Cancer Society’s Team DetermiNation for the marathon, Freeny had to come up with $3,500. If she wasn’t able to raise the money, she had no problem with writing a check.
She also urged people to submit names to be written on her shirt. Freeny’s mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law and grandfather all lost their battles to the disease and Freeny wants to carry their memory with her.
“I was a little bit worried,” Freeny said. “I’ve always said you’ve got to be willing to put your money where your mouth is. People have been so generous. We both have lists that are way too long. I can’t think of one soul that hasn’t been affected by this disease. It’s too common. This is why this matters.”
Freeny, whose first marathon was the Athens Classic Marathon last year in Greece, started raising money in May. The donations started to trickle in, paced by a big contribution from Lori Jones, who will also be running in the marathon alongside Freeny. Then, after Caruthers worked the phones to her friends and Freeny put up a link on her Facebook page, the trickle turned to a steady rain. Then it became a downpour as friends and strangers started giving. It only took nine days for Freeny to raise the $3,500. As of today, Freeny has raised $5,665 and the ACS is still accepting donations on her behalf and will after the race ends.
Caruthers won’t be able to make the trip to New York City, but she’ll be there in spirit. Freeny’s first call after she crosses the finish line will be to her friend whose battle inspires her every time she laces up her running shoes.
“It’s not just in honor of me, but it’s honor of those who have fought the battle against this disease,” Caruthers said. “We’ve got to push her across that finish line.”
To donate, go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY11EA?px=21848685&pg=personal&fr_id=34789 and click on donate. All of the proceeds to go the cancer society.
You’ll be glad you did.
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Steve Wilson is sports editor of The Vicksburg Post. You can follow him on Twitter at vpsportseditor. He can be reached at 601-636-4545, ext. 142 or at swilson@vicksburgpost.com.