As the captain of Team Puma, breast cancer has affected my life in many ways. My first experience was when I was young when my mom’s best friend was diagnosed with it. I then witnessed my mother-in-law go through it, some dear friends (one who is a member of Team Puma!), and finally myself in 2022. Going through breast cancer can be a scary and lonely experience but having amazing friends and family around makes the journey easier. Our team was made up of myself, my husband, Alan Gilman, and two amazing sets of friends: Rob & Amy Blewitt (fellow breast cancer survivor!), and Matt & Alicia Carroll. Amy was the one who encouraged me to do the full marathon as I had done the half with her in the past after she recovered from her own breast cancer diagnosis. I’m so glad she did, it was a healing experience after going through so much trauma. We walk for all the brave women and men who battle this disease and in hopes that one day there will be a cure!