Inspiration is Everywhere - Meredith's Story

As part of working with the American Cancer Society DetermiNation program, I have the opportunity to write articles about some of the runners and walkers that will be raising money and awareness in the Denver Rock N Roll Marathon and Half Marathon taking place in October 2011.  This week, I had the good fortune to interview Meredith Meegan.  She is dedicated to helping cure cancer to honor her mother, whose battle with a brain tumor ended sixteen years ago.  Meredith has big plans - and has provided big inspiration.  I'm honored to tell her story.

Meredith Meegan: Mother, Runner, and DetermiNation Warrior

By Carol Fitzgerald Tyler

Passion, determination and strength are words that describe Meredith Meegan. After talking with Meredith, her intense commitment to advocate for curing cancer is evident from the moment the conversation began. The loss of her mother to an aggressive brain tumor is the driving force behind her running and her charitable contributions.


Currently in rehabilitation for a tendonitis issue, Meredith is taking a break from running and is focusing on healing. Not running is challenging for her, as she typically averages between 35 and 40 miles a week. She is “trying to see the big picture” and believes that a course in physical therapy will make her even stronger than before. “Running is something that simply just clicks with my body and mind”, she says. Her family thinks she is somewhat “obsessed” and “insane”, however, she claims “it’s just what works for me. Running changes your mental make-up, you need more and more and more.”


Meredith’s running actually began when her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor sixteen years ago. She started by going to the gym with her mother, who she describes as a positive well-minded individual. She began by running for two minutes, which was extremely difficult at the time. She stayed home for a year caring for her mother, and ran the entire time. Little by little she increased her time to thirty minutes. She also started participating in 5K’s and then worked up to longer distances.


Meredith describes her relationship with her mother as “amazing”. She can’t say enough about her, and said that there will never be anyone quite like her. She describes her mother’s absence as defining her as much as her presence ever did. As difficult as her loss was then, her mother is still a part of her daily thoughts, and like any other muscle, she works on the grief muscles. “The grief muscle keeps getting stronger. I know it will knock me down, but I can still get back up.” Sometimes she thinks that the grief mode has a purpose to continue and connect her with her mother, and that it is a fundamental part of who she is.


Meredith’s mother passed away at age 55, three months before her wedding. Meredith shopped for wedding and funeral flowers at the same time knowing that her mother’s passing was close. The toasts at her wedding were both congratulatory to her and her husband, but also had a eulogy quality for those who were unable to attend her mother’s funeral.


With strength and conviction, Meredith has moved to using her grief to work towards helping others in the fight against cancer. “When you lose someone that close to you, it’s like you lose a limb. But you must realize that even with that missing limb, you can still walk, you can still run. You find other ways to compensate for it. ”


With three children under the age of ten (6, 8, and 10), finding time for running and self-care isn’t always easy. Luckily, Meredith is a self-proclaimed morning person and is often the first one to enter the gym at 5:00 a.m. Taking care of the care giver is an important concept and her early morning trips to the treadmill provide time to run and mentally prepare for the day ahead.


A veteran of three full marathons and one half marathon, her first experience was the New York City Marathon in 2000. Participating for the Fred’s Team charity which benefits Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, she and her husband were fortunate enough to win the marathon entry lottery. During that marathon, Meredith was able to see her elderly grandmother as she raced near her apartment. Given the number of people who are spectators – it was a gift to be able to share a hug as she ran by. Meredith has also participated in the Chicago Marathon and the Phoenix Rock N Roll Marathon.


Even though Meredith has long been a major advocate for curing cancer, her involvement with the Denver ACS DetermiNation program happened by pure coincidence. She was leaving the gym a few months ago after what she describes as a “good and satisfying run”, and she saw Stacey Hicks at the DetermiNation table. After just a short time of talking over the program, she made the instant decision to “do this”. “I am a fairly impulsive person, and the program hit on my passion from the get go” she said. “I don’t just want to be involved but I want to be uber involved.” She will be participating in the full Denver marathon and is determined to work through her current course of physical therapy to do just that.


Meredith doesn’t see any barriers raising the funds for the program. When it comes to cancer and honoring her mother’s legacy, asking for contributions to help cure the disease is simple. Her friends and family have been more than generous and helpful in the past, particularly while raising approximately $2,500 for Fred’s Team at the New York City Marathon in 2000. She believes she will hit her goal of at least $1,250 and likely more as she embarks on her fundraising campaign for Denver in the next week or so.


When talking about her goals for the Denver DetermiNation program and for the marathon event, she would love to see the marathon grow in both the number of participants and in stature. Having the Denver Rock N Roll Full and Half marathons become a marquee event for Denver would be great for both the city and the program.


When describing why she is committed to the DetermiNation program, she said “the cause needs money and attention. Such empowerment, compassion, and energy occurs in those who have come together and have chosen to fight this battle. No two cancers are alike, there is something uniquely bonding about dealing with that”.


Meredith can’t wait to complete her physical therapy and get back to running. When asked what her goals are? She says, “to be a life- long runner and life- long warrior in the battle to end cancer in the world”. All of us at DetermiNation can’t wait to welcome Meredith. Her passionate drive to cure cancer goes hand in hand with her determination to cross the finish line at the Denver Marathon in October.


For questions on the American Cancer Society DetermiNation program – please contact:
Valerie Passerini
Endurance Event Manager - DetermiNation
American Cancer Society, Inc. - Great West Division
2255 South Oneida Street Denver, CO 80224
720.524.5410