Supporting Survivors Through a Tough Mudder

By Emily Neumann, Team LIVESTRONG Runner
May 21, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Supporting Survivors through a Tough Mudder

I love the LIVESTRONG mission because it supports ANY Cancer at ANY stage of the process.  Three years ago, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 small intestine cancer. He had a year-long fight which included multiple rounds of chemo, multiple surgeries and rehab.  As of this month, my dad is two years cancer free! My family and I were so blessed by the love and support of friends, family, co-workers all throughout my dad’s battle.

While my dad was going through treatment, I started looking into charities that support small intestine cancer, but being so rare there weren’t any big events, or fundraisers specifically for this specific type.  As I researched LIVESTRONG, I realized it was the perfect fit. LIVESTRONG isn’t just for one type of person, cancer, gender, race, or social status.  LIVESTRONG for ANYONE affected by cancer!

I am so very lucky to work for an amazing company called RBA and one of the BEST things is that there is an entire committee dedicated to giving back to the community within the company called RBA Cares.  RBA Cares mission is to invest our financial, human and technology resources to support initiatives that sustain and strengthen the communities we serve.   They have worked with over 38 organizations and we have 196 volunteers.   When I went to RBA Cares with the idea of building an RBA team to run the Tough Mudder event through the LIVESTRONG charity team they immediately were on board.  They worked with me right away on how they could promote LIVESTRONG and build a community at RBA around the Tough Mudder event.

I am running the Tough Mudder because I am blessed.  I am blessed to have a healthy dad.  I am blessed to work with an amazing, wonderful supportive company.  I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to represent LIVESTRONG at the 2016 Tough Mudder event.