Leukemia survivor fulfills her goal

Janice Davidson stood at the start line for the annual Nike Women's Marathon last month in San Francisco. The Clarenville native wasn't alone. Twenty thousand women stood strong with her.

At her side was close friend Kim Miller (nee Windsor), formerly of Clarenville now residing in Kimberley, British Columbia.

A year earlier Miller ran the marathon for a friend's daughter who had been diagnosed with Leukemia, and for Janice, who had fallen ill as well.

Last Spring she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and immediately underwent an aggressive series of treatments.

The treatments took their toll on the mother of three. Thankfully, for the past year, she has been feeling fine.

The Nike Women's Marathon is one of the largest women's marathons in North America. It is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association, an organization Davidson got to know quite a lot about over the last 18 months.

When she was first diagnosed with the disorder she made a promise to one day run the marathon in San Francisco. It was to be her way of saying thank you to all the women who take part in the event and raise money for leukemia and lymphoma.

"I remember saying to Kim the day she ran the marathon last year that I hoped we would one day run the marathon together," says Davidson. "I never dreamed I would be doing it so soon."

Also joining Davidson in San Francisco was friend Nancy Robbins.

Robbins recalls visiting Janice in hospital. Her room was filled with all kinds of gifts. She asked what she could give. Robbins says her reply was, 'blood.'

"It truly is the gift of life."

Hitting the streets

On a cool day this past March Davidson and Robbins agreed, "okay let's do this." They began their training.

They decided they would run the half marathon in San Francisco.

Neither had ever run in an organized meet. But they started training, running together once a week.

"We set goals for ourselves to lead up to the marathon in San Francisco," says Robbins.

Their first test was a 10-kilometre meet in Garnish. It was set for May. The day of the race was cold and wet. It's a wonder they didn't give up right there and then.

"The weather for the Garnish run was terrible," says Robbins. "Nobody with any sanity would have run. Because the weather was so bad the event attracted only the most competitive and die hard runners - and us," she jokes.

With one event under their belts their next goal was to complete the Tely 10 mile race, a distance of 16 kilometres.

"We figured if we could run the Tely 10 we could do that little extra for the San Francisco marathon, a distance of approximately 22 kilometres.

San Francisco excursion

Davidson and Robbins arrived in San Francisco on Oct. 14. The race was scheduled for Oct. 18. They met up with friend Kim and the five other members of Team Chloe - the women who had run the previous year for the little girl with leukemia.

It wasn't all competition, though.

With five days kill before race day the friends decided to take in some of the sights and sounds of the west coast city.

"A few of the girls on the team are very serious runners and were focused on doing the full marathon," says Davidson. "We're not that avid, so we tended to shop 'til we dropped."

Shopping wasn't the only thing on their list of things to do. They took in a play, visited the NAPA Wine Valley, toured Alcatraz and visited the famous Fisherman's Wharf restaurant.

"It was a great time," they chimed.

Race day

The eight members of Team Chloe were up at six a.m. on race day and at the start line before seven.

"You're standing in a sea of heads. Twenty thousand women all there for one cause," says Davidson. "The interesting thing is that the marathon isn't about the run so much as it is about the cause. That was so unique."

Robbins agrees.

"You're surrounded by an amazing group of supportive people. It's still dark and they play the national anthem. It was an amazing feeling," she says.

"We went with the intention that we were going to complete it and enjoy the experience."

And what an experience it was.

"It was a wonderful experience. I'm really grateful that I have good health to be able to have done the half marathon. Not only to complete it, but to do it with great friends. I certainly feel blessed," says Davidson.

Robbins was just glad to be part of the team.

"It felt good to stand by Janice's side and be part of that team. It was a real special bonding experience."

Miller adds, "One year ago I ran for Janice. This year she showed me she didn't need me to run for her. She could run for herself."

Lots of surprises

There were many memorable moments along the route for both. Like the bands that played and the choir that sang or the DJ playing music.

"It was over the top in so many ways," says Robbins. "When you finish the race you walk to an area where you are met by a fireman dressed in a tuxedo. He's holding a tray with the signature Tiffany's necklace that's received by every runner that completes the marathon. Then it's off to another area where you are given the Nike Women's Marathon tee shirt."

For a good cause

This year's marathon raised over $14 million. Over the years the marathon has raised $92 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association.

Davidson knows first hand how important it is to raise money for research. She also knows the importance of giving blood.

"It's really important that people donate blood," she says. " Can you imagine someone coming into your hospital room and saying, 'I'm sorry, there's no blood today.'

"It's a wonderful gift and it doesn't take a lot of time. When I think of my husband and my three children, and someone donating blood so I can get it, is a wonderful gift. Not only for me but my family."

kgosse@thepacket.ca