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After being diagnosed with Stage III invasive breast cancer in 2009, Wellesley’s Carol Chaoi ran her first Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women. Her oncologist told her running would help her on many levels. Running made her feel strong, despite the heavy-duty treatments. She ran a race every other weekend during that year of treatment.
On the fifth anniversary of her diagnosis, she was diagnosed with Stage III thyroid cancer. She found a thyroid cancer half-marathon fundraiser in Acton, and ran it three weeks post-surgery, winning her age group. Running helps her get through the ultra marathon of treatments, and more importantly, it reassures her kids.
Last August, she was diagnosed with a metastatic recurrence of her breast cancer. Her kids were scared, as they know people die from Stage IV cancer and there is no cure. Within minutes of learning about her now “terminal” diagnosis, they all asked her if that meant that she would not be running Boston in 2016. A few months later, in January of 2016, her thyroid cancer also came back and spread. She is now living with two-stage IV diagnoses but is still running almost every day, hoping to inspire newly diagnosed runners.
Carol runs to raise awareness about living with Stage IV disease and to raise funds for metastatic breast cancer, which is one of the least funded areas of breast cancer. Since she can no longer run fast, she runs for fun. She enjoys each moment and channels her inner superhero to get through her treatments. She can often be seen dressed as Wonder Woman at races.
She looks forward to running the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women this year with her friends who keep her positive and focused on living with cancer instead of dying from it.
On Monday, October 9, thousands of women, including Carol, will come together for the 41st running of the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women, starting on the Boston Common. This Columbus Day road race tradition is expected to attract more than 7,000 passionate and enthusiastic females of all ages and athletic abilities and 20,000 fans from all over the country.
