Sister Mary Scullion has put together a team to run this weekend's Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run half-marathon. Her team is called Project H.O.M.E. Run. Each member of the team is collecting sponsorship money for each mile run, to benefit Project H.O.M.E. "I started running about 10 years ago because I was looking for a form of convenient exercise - just a pair of sneakers and I was set," Sister Mary says. "Running exercises other parts of my body and stretches me in a way that doesn't happen in the normal workday. It really clears my head, energizes me, and makes me feel stronger. I run short distances several times a week, then do a long run with a group of women each weekend along the River Drives. We meet at Lloyd Hall, and run about 14 miles. I love the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run because you really do have to train for it, and you’re in good shape, but you’re not spent by the end of it. It’s not overwhelming, it's just fun."

Also, some inspiring words from another runner who will be running the Philadelphia Distance Run 5K this weekend, cancer survivor Suzanne Smalley when you "CLICK FOR MORE..."

I decided to start running after I graduated from Rowan University with a BA in Music and a Bachelors degree in Communications in 2002 as a way to stay in shape and relieve stress. I was hired in September of that year as the Patron Services Assistant for Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, where I answer phone calls and handle patron problems both over the phone and at concerts. I ran my first 5K in May 2003.

Weeks later, I noticed a "lump" on my chest. It struck me as odd, but I didn’t make a doctor's appointment or have it checked out until another lump appeared just above my collar bone, around two weeks later. I also had been experiencing intense itching under my arms, which I thought might have been a reaction to laundry detergent. My family doctor didn't seem worried initially, but ran a few simple blood tests. They all came back normal. My doctor had me get an MRI of my neck to better see the tissues in the lump.

On July 2, I was at the National Constitution Center as Peter Nero and the Philly Pops were performing a concert for the opening of the National Constitution Center. As they were playing, I noticed a message on my phone from my doctor, and we played phone tag for a couple minutes. It was pretty worrisome to me that she was trying so hard to get to me. When I finally got in touch with her - and I'll never forget this moment - I was inside the second floor of the Constitution Center where it was dirty and loud because they were completing their construction. My doctor said "We think that you have lymphoma, and I would like you to make an appointment with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor right away." I didn’t know what lymphoma was, but it sounded like cancer to me. A surgical biopsy done by my ENT doctor officially diagnosed me with Hodgkins Disease (cancer of the lymphatic system).

I didn't know where to go for treatment, but thought Thomas Jefferson University Hospital would be a good choice for me because of its cancer treatment rankings and its location. I was fortunate to get an appointment with one of the heads of the Hematology/Oncology Department, Dr. Neal Flomenberg. He and his staff are some of the greatest people in the world. He made me feel comfortable and more confidence about my prognosis, which was very good. One of the best things about Dr. Flomenberg is that he always gives me a hug at the end of every appointment.

I started chemotherapy treatment at the end of August last year, and every other week until early February. My boss, Steven Haines, promised a raise and a job promotion when I finished my treatments. Both he and Peter Nero were extraordinarily supportive of me both personally and professionally. They gave me all the extra time I needed to get through my treatments and for all my doctors’ appointments and surgery. I could not ask for a better set of bosses and co-workers, and I can’t say enough about how great they all were.

My hair thinned out pretty badly and now I sport a really cute pixie haircut. My friends say, "If you hadn't had cancer, you never would have known how good you look with short hair!" The PET scan has been coming back cancer-free since November, and my doctor feels I can consider Hodgkins to be "in my past."

I wanted to be part of the JHPDR to support Jefferson, first of all (I'm running the 5K). They saved my life! I plan to attach a sign to my back saying something to this effect. I want to be an inspiration for cancer patients, especially young adults like me, to show that you can fight and win against this terrible disease.

Suzanne Smalley