Alyssa Shea's Fundraiser:
James Blake Foundation NYC Marathon 2016
BENEFITING: JAMES BLAKE FOUNDATION INC
ORGANIZER: JAMES BLAKE FOUNDATION INC
THE STORY:
I was diagnosed in the fall of 2011 at the age of 25 with stage II GIST cancer within my small intestines. After a 10 mile run, while training for a half marathon, I began to have terrible pain in my right side. A week after testing, I was told the mass blocking my gallbladder was malignant. A rare type of cancer called Gasteointestinal Stromal Tumor Cancer (GIST), only treatable with surgery and two types of oral chemotherapy.
In September of 2013 I officially became near-complete remission, however 2 years later the cancer recurred. Local recurrence for this type of cancer is as little as 4%. I completed trials of Radio-Frequency ablation (RFA) and chemotherapy pills, as well as numerous blood transfusions. Currently I am AGAIN in COMPLETE REMISSION. I continue with blood work, scans/ultrasounds every 3 months to check on the progress, and a low dose of chemotherapy pills.
Although I am considered in remission, I continue to fight this battle. For me running saved my life and I am looking forward to training and running in the NYC marathon, while helping the James Blake Foundation. This foundation is to heighten public awareness for early detection and raise critical funds to support the work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. James Blake is a former world-class tennis player who lost his father to cancer.
Please join me in supporting this important cause by donating to the James Blake Foundation. Remember any amount counts towards the fight against cancer.
Thanks <3>
Alyssa
