2012 LONDON MARATHON TEAM
Breast cancer survivor and Tasmanian Australian of the Year, Deborah De Williams, is putting a trio of fellow survivors through their paces as they prepare to put their best feet forward in 2012 London Marathon.
World Record breaking ultra-marathon runner, Deborah, 42, who beat breast cancer at the age of 36 - and whose successful 18,250 run around Australia in 2010 raised more than $200,000 towards finding a cure for the disease that strikes 1.3million women globally - is now gearing up for the biggest fund raising event on the planet.
Now, after enlisting the support of three fellow breast cancer survivors - including a Tasmanian and South Australian and Victorian battler along with a sole male runner who has a relative who has battled the disease - Deborah is appealing to Australians’ to ‘think pink’ and help join the fight against breast cancer.
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Mandy Giblin
Age at diagnosis: 34
Current age: 37
Family: Mother of two
Lives: Glenorchy, Hobart, TAS
Reasons for doing London?:
I am competing in the London Marathon for the Running to help raise important funds to create both Breast Cancer awareness and support for others recovering from treatment and getting them back into fitness, as well as funding Breast Cancer research so that we can improve treatments and help find a cure. A little over two years ago I was planning to run the Seattle Marathon for my 35th Birthday, but instead I was recovering from surgery after having a mastectomy the previous day. The London Marathon will be my opportunity to finally run that Marathon.
Click the Donate button below to donate to Mandy's fundraising effort.
Paul Taranto
Current Age 42
Lives: Mount Nelson, Hobart TAS
Reasons for doing London?
This is my first marathon and I am excited by this challenge to be running in the world’s largest fundraising event on the planet- The London marathon but to help raise money for breast cancer research is very rewarding. I am “the torn amongst the pink roses” but look forward to support the entire Running Pink team. From a personal perspective I have a family member who is a breast cancer survivor and she was diagnosed and treated here in Tasmania – so I look forward to this opportunity to try to assist in raising funds for future local research.
Click the Donate button below to donate to Paul's fundraising effort.
Teresa Mitchell
Age at diagnosis: 34 years.
I was told that I had an aggressive form of breast cancer, which was very large, and I had surgery within days. The oncologist literally told me that they “would give me the strongest doses of chemo available, but there were no guarantees since it had spread, and that I should get my affairs in order, specifically regarding the children.”
Current Age: 37
Family: I have been married to Rob for 13 years, and have two beautiful children, who were aged 3 and 6 when I was diagnosed, but Tom is now 10 and Ava 7. (They have literally just had their birthdays in this last week or so)
Lives: Flagstaff Hill, South Australia, aged 37.
Reasons for doing London?
My personal goal was to run a marathon, which I successfully achieved with New York this month, but I always knew that I needed a message bigger than myself and my own experience. We all have a story, and this is just mine, but I want to be able to use it by turning it into something positive, raising awareness, funds and hope for a cure and cancer free future for everyone. Running Pink has the same wish and message, so we’re a perfect fit. We’re showing everyone what you can do if you set your mind to it, and there is life after having a cancer diagnosis!
Click the Donate button below to donate to Teresa's fundraising effort.
Deb Watkins
Age at diagnosis: 57 when diagnosed with early breast cancer
Current age: 58 and will be running the marathon the day after my 59th birthday.... what a way to celebrate the start of my 60th year
Family: I am married to Graeme and have 3 children, Jacqueline 33, Mark 31, and Bridget 20 and I also have a 12 year old grandson, Kayleb.
Lives: Highton, Geelong Vic
Reasons for doing London?
Why I am running London, I guess when I met you I was inspired by your enthusiasm to do something about this disease that is so indiscriminate.
I have also been moved by the amazing women I have met and their stories and if I can help lift the awareness of breast cancer and the need for all women to be proactive about their health I will be pleased.
Click the Donate button below to donate to Deb's fundraising effort.
Me (Deborah De Williams)
Age at diagnosis: 36 when diagnosed with early breast cancer
Current age: 42
Family: Mother of the worlds best dog, Miss Maggie Moo!
Lives: Hobart, Tas
Reasons for doing London?
To me running a marathon isn’t about running. As a breast cancer survivor and founding director of Running Pink, I put together the London marathon team to help raise funds for breast cancer
research, support and awareness programs but more importantly to give hope to woman who are going through cancer & inspire other woman that you can live a full, rich, healthy and happy life after cancer.
Each member of the team have been affect by breast cancer, 4 members including myself, are survivors, each with an individual and unique story, and the final member has had a direct family member go through the challenges and lucky survived, as a team we aim to raise $50k for breast cancer research, awareness and survivorship programs.
Click the Donate button below to donate to Deborah's fundraising effort.