Stephanie Valen

Why I'm Running

Growing up, cancer was something I knew existed, but it was not a disease that touched my life in a deeply personal way. That began to change during my time working in the marketing department at Massachusetts General Hospital. Through patient stories and fundraising campaigns, I gained a new understanding of the impact cancer has on patients and their families. I helped promote the hospital's Boston Marathon team and was inspired by runners who dedicated their training to honoring loved ones and supporting the fight against cancer. In 2015, I had the privilege of becoming a charity runner for the Massachusetts General Hospital team myself, raising more than $5,000 and experiencing firsthand the power of a community united around a common purpose.

At the time, cancer still felt like someone else's story. Over the past several years, however, it has become deeply personal. Multiple people in my life have received cancer diagnoses, and I have witnessed the emotional toll cancer can take on patients and their loved ones. Most recently, my husband lost one of his closest friends after a cancer journey. He was young, full of life, and taken far too soon. Supporting my husband through that loss reinforced how deeply cancer affects not only those diagnosed, but also the families and friends who walk beside them.

Running the London Marathon for World Cancer Research Fund would allow me to turn that experience into action. I am inspired by the organization's commitment to advancing research that helps prevent cancer and improve outcomes for those affected by it. Every mile I run will be dedicated to the people in my life who have faced cancer with courage and resilience, and to supporting a future where fewer families experience the heartbreak that cancer can bring.