Running to Honor Her Mother

Vowing to continue her mother’s valiant battle against cancer, Regina joined the AACR Runners for Research team to raise awareness and funds for cancer research at the AACR Philadelphia Marathon.

I signed up to run the AACR Philadelphia Marathon and raise money for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in honor of my mother, Patricia Sellman.

At the age of 50, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment included the removal of 19 lymph nodes, 10 rounds of chemotherapy, and 42 rounds of radiation.

While in remission, she battled through multiple health challenges, including a 21-day stay in the ICU for pneumonia. Then, at the age of 60, Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. She continued to work for nine months while going through treatment. My super-strong mother was determined to keep working despite the toll of her chemotherapy sessions. It wasn’t until her doctors determined it was absolutely necessary, that she finally stepped away from work to focus on her health and her family.

Courageously, my mom fought for more than two years. She would endure 76 doses of five different kinds of chemotherapy. She was hospitalized seven times, underwent six surgeries, and over 22 scans before she passed away on February 7, 2020.

My mom did not lose the battle with cancer. She fought and fought well. She conquered every chemotherapy session, every procedure, and every setback. My mom was strong and won every battle that came her way. I promised her that we would never see her valiant, hard work as losing the battle, but that it was her time to rest. And, I promised, that her battle would be continued by all of us who love her. In honor of my mom’s strength, her life, and her journey, it is time for us to continue her battle. We continue fighting for a cure.

Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver or loved one touched by cancer, your story can have an enormous impact. You can provide hope and inspiration to someone recently diagnosed with cancer or a patient undergoing therapy.