Below is the story of a co-worker that has inspired me since the day I met her during my weeks of training with Whirlpool Corporation in 2008.  She is a strong, intelligent woman who has always given back - to her co-workers and her community.  My participation in this fundraiser and race is just a small tribute to her amazing spirit.

REACT THYROID FOUNDATION INC wrote -

The Whirlpool National Sales Conference is quickly approaching and so is the 5K Run/Walk event. This year the Whirlpool sales division will be raising money for the REACT Thyroid Foundation and helping to find a cure for thyroid cancer!

Michelle LeBeau has been a Whirlpool employee for 8.5 years and is the founder of REACT Thyroid Foundation.  In November of 2009, at the age of 30, she was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer called Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.  At the time of diagnosis, the cancer had already spread throughout both of her lungs classifying it as stage IV cancer.  Unfortunately there is no known cure for any form advanced stage thyroid cancer and it is not responsive to traditional chemotherapy.
 
In March of 2011 Michelle started on an experimental treatment designed to block the blood supply to the cancer cells and prevent its ability to grow and spread. Unfortunately, the cancer will eventually build up a resistance to this drug and Michelle will need additional treatment options.  There are a few drugs currently in clinical trials that show effectiveness for approximately two years but until an actual cure is found, Michelle will need to rely on these novel treatments to fight the cancer for the rest of her life.
 
Thyroid cancer is the fastest increasing cancer among men and women.  In August of 2011 Michelle decided she wanted to make a difference and decided to form the REACT Thyroid Foundation.  Their mission is to educate others about the importance of early detection and raise money to support the research for novel therapies and ultimately find a cure. 
 
There are thousands of other people in the same situation as Michelle who are also desperately waiting for new treatments to be developed and gain FDA approval. 
 
Please join us in our fight against thyroid cancer. TOGETHER we can make a difference!