Creating Milestone Moments that Matter

When she registered to run her 40^th half marathon at the 2018 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Sarah Shaw decided to do more with her milestone race.

For the first time in her life, she registered as a St. Jude Hero to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and support the fight to end childhood cancer.

Running as a St. Jude Hero carried special meaning for Shaw, whose mother is a two-time cancer survivor. Her family witnessed the emotional and financial toll of beating cancer and could not imagine what it would be like for a child to face a similar diagnosis.

“Thinking about the patients at St. Jude has been the driving force that motivates me when I fundraise and train,” said Shaw. “Running among a sea of people wearing crimson St. Jude Hero singlets moved me, knowing I am now part of something much bigger than myself.”

Since the race last year, Shaw has extended her efforts by joining a local Volunteer Leadership Committee that supports St. Jude. Through her involvement, she got the chance to visit the hospital in Memphis earlier this year.

“Considering everything the families are going through, I thought it would surely be a sad place,” she said.

Shaw was astonished to find a hospital overflowing with joy and hope. As she toured St. Jude, she could not believe the number of patients and families who smiled and shared laughs despite the circumstances. Everything came full circle as she realized any pain endured during a race is more than worth it if her participation as a St. Jude Hero meant the world would be one step closer to reaching a day when no family has to hear the agonizing words: “Your child has cancer.”

Reflecting on her visit to St. Jude was crucial when Shaw injured her back in December 2018. For a moment, she thought her injury might affect her involvement in the 2019 race. But keeping the patient families in mind, she was inspired to continue raising funds and awareness for the mission despite the injury.

This year, Shaw ran the 5K and raised over $3,000 as a St. Jude Hero, a goal she exceeded thanks to friends and family on email and social media. Her success boosted her confidence to do more for St. Jude kids, and she recruited a number of her co-workers at Amazon to participate in the marathon as St. Jude Heroes as well.

Thanks to the support of St. Jude Heroes like Shaw, 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.

Join fundraisers like Shaw who are taking their running to the next level by running as St. Jude Heroes.