For Jessica Meuse, running began as a way to stay healthy while touring to promote her first album.
After being named an American Idol® finalist, she began touring across the country, and quickly realized she needed to start making better lifestyle choices while on the road. She took up running and participated in the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon as a St. Jude Hero®.
American Idol finalist Jessica Meuse.
Jessica has always been drawn to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but after running the one-mile race and the 5K race in Nashville, Tenn., she decided she would keep fundraising for more St. Jude fitness events.
Supporters, like Jessica, help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live
Participants at the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Nashville
“The fitness, the music and the mission all come together. It’s like my life comes full circle,” Jessica said.
Jessica looks forward to continuing her support of St. Jude through music and fitness. This December, she will run the half marathon during the 17th annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend as a St. Jude Hero.
For Jessica, cancer has been a battle that is all too familiar. After her father was diagnosed with skin cancer and witnessing a close friend battle breast cancer, Jessica realized the extent of cancer’s reach.
Jessica Meuse tours St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
When my father was diagnosed, it put into perspective that he was human, and I could lose him. The work that St. Jude does is so important because cancer affects everyone.
Meuse said the hospital’s mission impacted her the most when she grasped the parallels between her father’s cancer journey and children at St. Jude going through similar experiences. But on her St. Jude tour, she was amazed to find the hospital filled with nothing but smiles and laughter.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to have cancer or another life-threatening disease as a kid, but they are troopers,” Meuse said. “They’re so strong.”
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
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