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Remembering Esmeralda
On October 17, 2000, my mother, Esmeralda Werbeck, was diagnosed with stage four
breast cancer. Three days later on October 20, my mother had a bilateral
mastectomy performed. On November 28 of the same year, she had her first
chemotherapy treatment. Over the course of the next five years, my mother would
undergo 3 blood transfusions, 17 hospitalizations, 19 rounds of chemotherapy, 28
radiation treatments, and 25 different surgeries.
My mother's fight against cancer was not an easy one. Over the course of her
five-year battle, my mother's health was up and down on a day to day basis. She
would continually deal with going in and out of the hospital for a number of
different health concerns. As time went on, medical treatments became more
frequent, and the bills kept increasing. Esmeralda's Run was created in an
effort to help my family in a time of financial need. The overwhelming support
of a united community lifted the spirits of my family when we needed it most.
It was around two weeks prior to Thanksgiving that I received a phone call to
come home because my mother's health was declining rapidly. I returned home from
school to see my mother lying in her bed with an oxygen mask on. At the time she
was sleeping, but as I walked into the room she began to wake up. Elated that I
had finally arrived home, she asked me to lie in bed next to her so that we
could talk. The first thing we talked about was how excited she was about
Esmeralda’s Run. My mother just couldn't believe that such a big event was being
held in her honor.
Prior to this conversation, my mother had expressed that her greatest fear was
not being remembered by anyone. As her son, this caused me a lot of emotional
heartache as to what I could do to make sure that her fear was addressed.
Esmeralda’s Run provided the perfect answer. By holding Esmeralda’s Run, my
mother's memory would live on. Esmeralda’s Run would give those who knew her a
chance to remember her for the beautiful person that she was. Through
Esmeralda’s Run, my mother could be remembered for her valiant fight against
cancer. People would remember how cancer never held my mother back, and how it
didn't dampen her spirits, weaken her strength, cloud her mind, or darken her
heart. Esmeralda’s Run would ensure that my mother's greatest fear never came
true. It would provide an opportunity for everyone to gather in remembrance of
my mother and to unite together to fight the battle against cancer.
This year the third annual Esmeralda’s Run will be held on Sunday, October 12th,
2008, at 8 a.m. at the Austin Tennis Academy in Spanish Oaks. This year, and in
every year to come per my mother's wishes, all of the proceeds raised will go
directly to the Lance Armstrong Foundation as well as to A Glimmer of Hope
Foundation. Please join me again this year on a day where we can all gather in
remembrance of those who have fought or are currently fighting cancer. With your
help, Esmeralda’s Run will be a great success for the ongoing fight against
cancer and will give those who knew my mother a chance to celebrate her life.
Sincerely,
Brent Werbeck
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