Amazing people who inspire others and continue with their athletic endeavors after receiving a NET diagnosis. Their courage, resilience, and love of sport are at the heart of what Run for the Stripes is all about.
My passion for running began as a child when my dad took me out to the local park for my first run. I was hooked immediately. From there, my team and I enjoyed many successes in both high school and college. Unfortunately, I drifted from running after college for a few years and then struggled for many years with failed attempts to restart my running due to bilateral knee pain.
It was not until my PNET diagnosis in 2017, at the age of 46, that I promised myself I would race again. While at my first Neuroendocrine Conference at the University of Pennsylvania I approached a table with information about “Run for the Stripes.” This was going to be my race. I did everything I could to protect my knees but sadly the pain was still there. I was able to race anyway with my daughter beside me for the first half of the race. With great pride, I watched her slowly pull away from me for a strong finish. It was a great day for both of us.
Fortunately, I recently discovered that a simple switch of running shoes was all I needed to relieve my knee pain. Now I am running strong. Running has always been my passion but now each run means so much more to me than it ever has before. Not only does running keep me strong in mind and body, it has connected me with so many amazing people throughout my life.
I am 32 years old, married, and have an Australian herding dog mix named Delilah. I was born and raised in Lancaster County, PA. I grew up playing soccer and basketball and swam on the swim team. I got my first taste of distance running my senior year when I decided to sign up for the cross country team — I really enjoyed it and found it to be a great stress reliever. I started to run competitively in 2005. Since then I have run anything from a 5K to a 100-mile race.
Running literally saved my life. Runners are usually pretty in tune with their bodies, and I believe that is why I had a fairly quick diagnosis. After multiple trips to the doctor complaining of vague symptoms like wheezing and a strange feeling when I would lie down, I was finally diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor in my left lung in February of 2012. On March 9th, 2012, I had a left upper lobectomy, and one month later I was allowed to start running again. I didn’t let surgery and my diagnosis get me down — in fact, it gave me even more incentive to be a better runner.
My most recent endeavor, just one year and two months after my left upper lobectomy, was the Massanutten 100-mile trail run in Massanutten, VA. My next goal is to do an Iron Man, and eventually I hope to follow in my uncle’s footsteps and take on the Kailua-Kona Island Iron Man in Hawaii.
Note: Jess came in first place overall at the Run For The Stripes 5K.
John was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in July of 2008. At the time of diagnosis, the tumors had already metastasized — the right lobe of his liver was fully engrossed and it had spread to the left lobe as well. The tricuspid and pulmonic valves were also damaged by the tumors, causing right heart failure.
John underwent more than one major surgery: first in September of 2008 to have his tricuspid and pulmonic valves replaced, and again in February of 2009 when he had a large right liver resection and the tumor in the left lobe ablated. He also underwent a right hemicolectomy and, a couple of years later, a prostatectomy. Through all of this, John has stayed active.
John, 63 years young, uses exercise to stay fit and healthy and, as he says, “hopefully one step ahead of the disease.” He alternates running 1.5–2 miles with lifting weights, and has registered for Run For The Stripes while encouraging his friends to participate as well.
I have had Carcinoid Syndrome for 18 years — and probably quite a few years prior to that, of which I was unaware. I was diagnosed at age 57 and I am now 75 years old. Aside from the many doctor’s appointments and procedures, I have been able to continue all my activities. I have been and remain active playing tennis, golf, woodworking, gardening, and keeping up with five grandchildren.
I was diagnosed with Carcinoid Syndrome in December of 1995. I had tumors in my terminal ileum and also in a significant portion of my liver. In February of 1996 I was operated on and three feet of my terminal ileum were removed and three-quarters of my liver was also removed. The past two-plus decades have involved multiple treatments — including Sandostatin LAR Depot infusions, two SIRsphere procedures, and a DOTATOC yttrium-90 procedure in Basel, Switzerland — to manage and reduce tumor growth.
Throughout all of this, I feel fine and my activities are not significantly limited. The two main effects of carcinoid syndrome are flushing and diarrhea, which I manage through medication and a careful diet. I continue to live an active and full life.