TAMPA, FL — Lisa Sepulveda had never participated in a 5- kilometer walk or run before the Miles for Moffitt fundraiser presented by AutoNation last November.
But after her successful inaugural event, Sepulveda, a metastatic breast cancer survivor, is looking forward to this year’s Nov. 18 event to help raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center, which she credits with saving her life.
“It’s an amazing event and I got the chance to connect with people who are on a similar journey. It was such an empowering experience. I’m so glad I had the energy to do it,” said Sepulveda of last year’s race. “My hope is just to be an inspiration to other people.”
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Sepulveda will walk the 5K with her husband and 21-year-old son, hoping her example shows others they too can thrive after a cancer diagnosis.
She said she is excited to be sporting the “Thriver” Miles for Moffitt shirt, a new option this year. The “Thriver” and “Survivor” shirt options allow participants to choose which word best represents where they are in their cancer journeys.
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Not long after Sepulveda moved from New Jersey to Sarasota in 2020, a regularly scheduled mammogram revealed she had a form of breast cancer known as HER2 positive. She learned that her cancer was already in stage 4, which means it had spread elsewhere, in her case to one of her vertebrae.
“When your initial diagnosis is stage 4, it has a really unique sting,” she said.
Her doctor in New Jersey recommended she see Dr. Brian Czerniecki, a renowned breast cancer surgeon who had recently joined Moffitt.
She began chemotherapy at Moffitt in the fall of 2021 and had a double mastectomy in January 2022.
But because of the nature of her cancer, she understood it would be something she would live with for the rest of her life. In December 2022, she got the frightening news that the cancer had metastasized to her brain. She received radiation treatment which has successfully reduced her tumors.
Despite the ups and downs of her journey, Sepulveda is grateful for the care she has received and is doing her part to give back on behalf of others facing cancer. She has worked with Czerniecki’s team to serve on committees and participated in Snapshots of Courage, an exhibit of photographs of breast cancer patients.
“I have an enormous amount of gratitude to Moffitt and everyone there,” she said. “The one thing about Moffitt that’s so unique is that everyone who steps into the hospital is having the same journey. It’s very empowering and it’s almost like a family. Literally, everyone there is supporting you.”
Her larger purpose is to raise awareness and help others, including those facing cancer now and in the future. That’s why she’s looking forward to her second Miles for Moffitt, fueling research that can save lives from cancer.
“My mantra from Day 1 is that hope is stronger than fear,” she said.
On Saturday, thousands of people will hit the streets of Tampa to run and walk to raise funds for the life-saving research that is at the core of Moffitt’s mission. So far this year, teams have raised $1,380,018 toward the $1.5 million goal.
Among those participating will be Melissa Hammond Gerber.
“My husband died in June 2022 from plasma cell leukemia/multiple myeloma,” she said. “Moffitt tried everything to keep him with us. He went through two bone marrow transplants and was on chemo every day. They were the nicest group of people during the whole thing. I will be running in memory of my husband, Randy, tomorrow. Thank you, Moffitt, for all of the care he received.”
Also lacing up their running shoes on Saturday will be Kathleen Warren Bell and her son, Cory Bell.
“After five years fighting prostate cancer that had moved to his bones, we lost my husband, Tony Bell, on Fathers Day 2019,” said Kathleen Warren Bell. “We received the best care, access to trials, and kindness at Moffitt Cancer Center. They helped extend his time here on Earth with us. He truly is our Angel and the Bells Angels Team of two (myself and our son Cory) will race in Miles for Moffitt to support Moffitt Cancer Center and the valuable care they provide.”
They will be joined by survivor Gary Felice.
“I am a patient of Moffitt and I have multiple myeloma,” Felice said. “When I was first diagnosed in June 2021, I was in bad shape. This cancer snuck up on me and I was terrified. I was assured by doctors and nurses that I would receive the best care possible. I went through a different type of chemo than I expected. Mine was via injection in my belly, and daily pills. I was able to halt the disease and be eligible for a stem cell bone marrow transplant, my new birthday. Recovery was rough, I’m not going to lie. I am now in full remission, and participating in research in finding the best way to keep my disease at bay.”
Felice said he realizes he’s not out of the woods.
“I come in monthly, very anxious, to have my labs done. I am keenly aware that my disease will return and having my blood work is a tense moment until I see the numbers are good,” he said. “I know that the day is coming that they won’t be, and until then, it’s time to be alive.”
Since 2006, Moffitt Cancer Center supporters have come together to raise over $10 million for cancer research and fund over 70 pilot research projects at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Last year, more than 7,500 ran to support the fundraiser.
Miles for Moffitt welcomes everyone, including families, patients, survivors, walkers, wheelchair racers, competitive runners, advocates and Tampa Bay’s corporate leaders and their employees. There is a race distance option for everyone, including a 10K, 10K Wheelchair, 5K, 1K Fun Run/Walk, and Run with Raymond’s Kids Dash.
Following a Zumba warm-up at 6:30 a.m., the event will kick off at 7 a.m. with the 10K and 10K Wheelchair races at Amalie Arena’s Ford Thunder Alley, 1 Channelside Drive, Tampa. The event will conclude with a tribute ceremony at 10:10 a.m.
For more information or to register for the 2023 Miles for Moffitt, visit MilesforMoffitt.com.
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