As many of you know, breast cancer
has touched my life from the very beginning. When I was three years old,
this terrible disease took my mother, Ruthie. Growing up without her was very
hard, but it shaped me into the person I am today. Of course, I thought that
would be the only time breast cancer would've touched so close to home - but I was
wrong.
This past August, my fiancé, Paola, was diagnosed with Stage 4
triple-negative breast cancer - on her birthday, of all days. Receiving that
news was devastating. But I knew Paola was a fighter, and we were going to take
this battle head-on and get through it together.
At the start of this journey, we met Dr. Yadyra Rivera out of
Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ. Dr. Rivera and her amazing team moved
quickly, creating a treatment plan that gave us a sense of hope. From diagnosis
to Paola’s first round of chemo, everything happened miraculously fast, almost as if angels were on our side.
But
the news only became more difficult. After only a short couple of weeks, it was discovered that Paola’s cancer had progressed to
leptomeningeal disease, meaning it had spread to her brain and spinal fluid.
Our fight suddenly became a race against time. That’s when we were introduced
to Dr. Eleni Stavrou at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Stavrou and her team
quickly developed a new treatment plan, and at that point we were simply
waiting for insurance approval to begin. Just a few days later, we received the
news that we could finally start this next phase of the fight. Tragically, on
that very same day, Paola passed away at only 32 years old.
Paola’s diagnosis lasted just two months - from the day she
first entered the hospital to her passing. No matter how fast the doctors
moved, it was never fast enough.
This
experience taught me a hard but crucial lesson: life can change in an instant,
and tomorrow is never guaranteed. I promised myself I would honor her memory by
living fully and taking on challenges I had always dreamed of - because those we lose, like my Mother & Pao, no longer have their chance to do so.
One
of those dreams was running the NYC Marathon. It had always been a goal of
mine, but I never found the courage to do so - until now. And I knew I wanted
to run for a cause that mattered. That’s when I discovered Think Pink Rocks.
This incredible organization raises awareness about early detection and genetic
testing for breast cancer while funding critical research. They also support
Memorial Sloan Kettering - the very place that moved so quickly to create a
treatment plan for Paola. I knew instantly this was the charity I had to run
for.
With that being said, I am excited
to announce that I will be running the 2026 TCS NYC Marathon in partnership
with Team Think Pink Rocks! I am running this marathon for Paola. To finish the
fight we were preparing to begin at Memorial Sloan Kettering. To honor the hope
they gave us. To give back to every breast cancer patient and family facing an
unimaginable journey.
I am running for those who no
longer can. For families who need support, guidance, and hope. For Ruthie
Dino-Marshall and Paola Velez, whose legacies I carry forward with pride and
love.
If you’re able, I kindly ask for
your support. Any donation, no matter the size, helps provide patients and
families with treatment, resources, and hope - the things every person battling
breast cancer deserves.
Thank you from the bottom of my
heart! I can’t wait to see you all on November 1st!!
