RUNNING:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Not all the 80,000-plus competitors competing in next month’s City2Surf in Sydney can say their running for a cause as heartfelt as Rebecca Ruhmann (pictured).
Just six months ago the Gunnedah mum of three lost her dad, Gary McClung, to cancer.
The cancer was aggressive and within weeks of diagnosis, Gary was dead.
He was initially admitted to hospital suffering a suspected stroke.
It was only then that doctors discovered the ultimately fatal, lesions on his brain– a secondary form of cancer that had metastasized from lung cancer.
“He passed away six weeks to the day after being diagnosed,” Rebecca said.
“It was all very sudden.”
Life without her dad will never be the same but she hopes that with awareness, others might be more fortunate.
To that end, Rebecca is helping raise funds for the Lung Foundation Australia as part of her City2Surf run.
Her chosen charity is made all the more important given her grandmother, Anne, is also suffering lung problems after being diagnosed with bronchiectasis.
Rebecca initially set herself a fund-raising goal of $700 and is currently just under $200 shy of the target.
With a little help from the community, she hopes to reach her $700 goal and who knows, perhaps go even higher.
Running alongside her in her maiden City2Surf on August 10 will be fellow Gunnedah competitors, Alissa Dart, Ashley Gardner, Ellen Webster, Julia McLean and Alana Wilby.
Rebecca is feeling a touch nervous ahead of the big race.
Fortunately she is also receiving plenty of encouragement from others who have been there before.
“Some of the girls from last year are doing it again and they loved the atmosphere, so I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.
To donate to Rebecca’s fund-raising efforts click here or visit lungfoundation.com.au for more information on lung disease.