Inspiration, Strength Give Fitness-Support Group Momentum

I do not have cancer. But I trust that someone close to me at some point in my life will.

I arrived at Forever Young Nursery School Wednesday for Surviving for Shore’s kickoff meeting nervous and afraid I would not belong. Cancer survivors Michele Reimer and Tina Kennis founded the group with the premise of strengthening those impacted by cancer through physical fitness.

I'm not unfamiliar with the disease. My grandfather died just more than a year ago at 100 years old. While it didn't kill him, he did suffer from prostate cancer. 

There also was Lainie, a church friend who died at 12. I was shy at that young age, and she was one of the few children I felt comfortable talking to. Lainie and I weren’t all that close, only interacting on the rare occasion she was well enough to attend Sunday School but I will never forget seeing the tears and aching heart of her best friend as I walked into church and settled into a pew; casket closed on the altar. So finite.

As the Greek’s say, “May their memories be eternal.”

My trepidation upon arriving at Forever Young soon gave way to inspiration by the members' strength and love for life.

Sitting amongst the group, my eyes opened. Each person there was impacted by cancer in some way and has a story.

In front of me sat a young girl, on her mother’s lap—Savanna Winnie, a young, local girl and cancer survivor. Her mother cried as Kennis recognized her.

Kennis and Reimer have dedicated many-a-miles of their runs to Winnie and Caeden Stoll, another young survivor. At races, the two write their names on their bibs.

Kennis quoted entrepreneur and author Scott Dinsmore, “Sometimes it’s best to just start building something before you know all it will become. You must start making progress. Momentum is one of the most powerful forces on the planet.”

The quote is fitting for Surviving for Shore, Kennis said, something that may be “really big and great” for the Jersey Shore.

And I want to be a part of it. I felt I had something to learn so I joined Surviving for Shore.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be running, biking, possibly kayaking and more (and writing about the experience).

Although I dread the shin splints that will likely develop as I run, sore muscles are my favorite.

But it’s not just about the fitness.

As Kennis has said, “It’s more than surviving. It's thriving. It’s more than just getting through it. It’s coming out better.”

For more information on Surviving for Shore, click here.