I am running to prove that surviving cancer as a child does not limit your future; it strengthens it.
My Story: Why I Run
At just 18 months old, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called DFSP (Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans). I was too young to understand what was happening, but my body endured more than most do in a lifetime. One year of biological chemotherapy, a 12-hour surgery, and another year learning to move again in a leg brace.
During surgery, a large tumour was removed, and my right leg was reconstructed from the knee down. A skin graft now covers that leg, and I wear a protective sock over the area, a small but powerful reminder of how far I’ve come.
There was a time when I never thought I would be able to run, let alone run this far. I’m using my own journey as proof that things can and do get better. I run to show others that looking different is okay, and it does not mean you are limited or unable to do what everyone else can do. Your differences can be your strength.
My journey inspired Riley Socks, a children’s book written by my mom in 2009. What began as a story of hope has grown into something even bigger. Today, Riley Socks is also a business built on resilience, inclusion, and giving back. Both the book and the brand are dedicated to every child and family who has walked, or is still walking this path.
As a cancer survivor, I am running for pediatric cancer, for the children currently in treatment, the survivors, and the families holding onto hope. I run for the little version of me, and for every child who deserves a future filled with possibility.
Every step I take on April 26, 2026 is a celebration of survival, strength, and hope.
Together, we can inspire the world.
