Hi Craig,

It was such a gift to meet you and learn about the beautiful home you and MaryEllen have created from your loss. I look forward to our next meeting.

One of the things I got done last weekend was to book a house for my family’s vacation. We will be in Bethany from June 24 – July 1. Please check your calendar to see when you and MaryEllen and the rest of your family could visit us for dinner and/or to chill at the beach. We’re staying at 43 N. Atlantic. I’m sure my family would want to see Justin’s beach house as well.

Like you, we had to find a positive from our loss; a way to give back to those who had helped us in our cancer journey and help those who would come after us. We started Becca’s Run in October 1997 – 4 months after Becca died from her GBM. We had about 800 people at the first run, most of whom were Catholics. Our main advertising vehicle was the Catholic churches in the DC area and the Catholic high schools since 3 of our 4 children went to 3 different Catholic high schools. Your priest friend will be happy to know that the Catholic network is alive and well in the DC area.

But what really helped us is that thousands of people knew Becca’s story because there was a series of stories in The Washington Post over almost 2 years. We have boxes of letters from people whose lives were touched by hers. The stories are still online and we have a link to them from our Run website http://www.beccasrun.org/about.htm The link to the stories is at the bottom of this page. The paper copies have more photos but the online version has the beautifully-written stories.

I’m not too surprised that we felt an immediate connection. I equate it to being in a foreign country and finding someone from your home town – we speak not only the same language but the same dialect. It’s a small club and we share one of the most life-changing experiences you can have.

Thanks you for being in touch.”

Maureen T. Lilly
Director, Planned Giving & Stewardship, National Hospice Foundation