Why Haley Gold Runs
Texas 4000 is proud to announce that we have been selected as a returning charity for the 2017 Austin Marathon & Half Marathon’s Austin Gives Miles charity program. In 2016, 43 Texas 4000 team runners raised over $19,000 while training for the race and their fundraising was matched with a $10,000 grant from The Moody Foundation, brining our grand fundraising total to $30,000! We were thrilled with the tremendous success of our first year and we look forward to building upon those efforts in 2017. Race day is Sunday, February 19, 2017 and we want you to join our team!
2014 Texas 4000 alumna Haley Gold has joined our team as she prepares to run the full marathon again in 2017. She ran the half marathon in 2015 and completed her first full marathon this past year. Haley originally joined Texas 4000 to ride for her parents. Her dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer when Haley was in the 5th grade and he is now a survivor. Her mom was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2006 and lost her battle with this horrible disease on August 10, 2007.
“My mom was and is my hero. Even in her absence, she has taught me how to be a strong young woman. I strive to be the woman that was my mom.”
Haley’s mom was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center and one of Haley’s favorite memories from the summer ride was touring MD Anderson during her team’s stop in Houston.
“This was an especially powerful visit for me because my mom was treated at MD Anderson during her battle with cancer. While they couldn’t save my mom, they did everything they could and are doing incredible research to help save others. On our visit we were able to see first hand the impact that Texas 4000 is making by meeting with some of the researchers that our donor dollars help fund. I am extremely grateful for this experience and hope that together Texas 4000 and MD Anderson are able to fund research and find a cure for this horrible disease.”
Haley remains very actively engaged in the fight against cancer and works as a Cancer Information Specialist at The American Cancer Society.
“My job entails talking with cancer patients and caregivers every day. Every call I receive is a new story and a new passion to continue in this fight, a fight that is far from over.”
When asked why she decided to join Texas 4000’s Austin Marathon team, Haley said:
“While the fight against cancer has been a huge part of my life for some time now, my experience as a rider on the 2014 Texas 4000 team has given me even more to fight for. I have taken on the stories of my teammates, their families, and the stories of those I met along the way to Alaska. I was inspired to run for Texas 4000 in order to be an active participant in this fight and to support future teams on their journeys to Alaska.”
To donate to Haley’s fundraising campaign for Texas 4000, check out her page here.
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Please consider joining our team with Haley to help us continue to spread hope, knowledge, and charity in the fight against cancer! Visit the Austin Marathon event page on our website for more details.