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How the Chemo Is Harder campaign started…
Brendan Murphy and Nolan Taylor, avid runners who live in
Rapid City
, met one evening at the Runner’s Shop in
Rapid City
. They hit it off right
away, and they went on a 12 mile run soon after meeting.
It was on that run that they realized they had something very
much in common… they were both directly affected by cancer.
It was this common bond that sparked the idea to do something
extraordinary in the name of cancer research.
They both shared their stories on how cancer had affected
their lives in so many ways, and they decided it was time to do
something about it.
Brendan’s mom, Theresa, is an uterine cancer survivor of 30
years, but never realized how fragile life really was until his dad,
Tom, was diagnosed with Melanoma when Brendan was just a child.
Twelve years passed cancer free, but in 2001, Tom was
re-diagnosed with advanced melanoma and fought for two hard years
through chemo-therapy and radiation treatments.
The cancer proved too much for him when on
February 25th, 2003
, he died in his home from the melanoma.
Brendan always wanted to do something in remembrance of his
dad’s passing and to celebrate his mom’s life.
Cancer had profoundly affected his life, but did not know how
to give back until he met Nolan.
Theresa & Tom
Nolan Taylor
’s dad, Robert, was diagnosed with tonsil cancer on
June 23rd, 2006
. While Robert was going
through chemo and Radiation, Nolan and his family banded together to
rally around his dad and his tonsil cancer.
They all made up shirts and race jerseys that said, “Chemo
is Harder” printed on the front of them and all completed a 5K
race in his honor! The
reason why that slogan was chosen is simple:
No matter what life throws at us or how bad we think things
are getting, imagine having cancer and going through treatment!
“Chemo is Harder” than any of those things and those of
us that do not know what it is like to have cancer should be
fortunate to know there are brave men and women fighting a very hard
battle!
Nolan is very passionate about his running and feels he can
give something back to his dad Robert by his running abilities.
Nolan is an accomplished runner and was a 7 x All-American at
Minot
State
, holding many distance records.
Despite all of his success, Nolan’s tenacity in running
carries over in his personal life as well, and it is that very
attitude that will make the “Chemo is Harder” campaign for
cancer research a life-long journey.
Several runs later…. Brendan and Nolan began to formulate
how they could raise awareness and money in the name of cancer
research. Every time a
“Chemo is Harder” shirt or jersey enters a race, it receives a
lot of attention from other runners, and it is through awareness and
healthy living that Brendan and Nolan wish to base their quest of
running across the entire state of South Dakota.
They are setting out to raise as much money as they can so
others like Theresa, Tom, Robert, and countless others have a
fighting chance when facing a bout with any type of cancer.
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