We believe everyone pushing through adversity in their life is brave.
Are you fighting a rare cancer? Are you a cancer survivor running your first 5k or marathon? Are you taking on a new fitness challenge? Are you a healthcare worker, caregiver, or researcher working to make a difference?
Share your brave story with us!
Whatever makes you—or someone in your life—brave, we want to hear about it.
Use the hashtag #MyBraveStory and then create a new one with your name, #BraveLikeYourNameHere. We look forward to featuring so many brave stories!
Share your story by telling us about yourself here.
Email kelly@bravelikegabe.org with the subject "My Brave Story" and send us photos you’d like to share.
“I’m thankful that being an athlete has created a relationship of trust with my body and intuition. When I started experiencing symptoms from PV, I knew something was off. Running gave me an outlet to feel my emotions and just feel alive. It is a reminder of who I am and what I am capable of. I am convinced that running is going to keep me alive and counteract the impact PV may have on me physically.”
Read MoreToday, Mark is 70 years old, cancer-free and logging his daily runs on his social media profile titled, “Old Runner Guy.” Mile after mile, the overwhelming theme in Mark’s life is dedication despite adversity. He never gives up and shares that message with everyone he meets. Thank you Mark for sharing your story and showing us what it means to be #RunningOnHope!
Read MoreWe are saddened to share that Courtney Frohling passed away on February 26th, 2024 after a 5 year rare cancer journey. In 2021, Courtney submitted her story to share with the Brave Like Gabe community. She wrote, “#BraveLikeCourtney means not giving up because I'm not done running or living! Running has helped prepare my body and mind to be in great shape to fight this battle.”
Read MoreBeing diagnosed with cancer as a 23-year-old is weird. It’s honestly hard to relate to others your age. Rarely does someone share a story of a young adult who experienced cancer. From the first time I heard Gabe’s story, it immediately resonated with me. As I was in and out to treatment during the summer of 2018, her story was one that I always went back to for inspiration, and honestly a distraction from what I was dealing with. ‘Relentlessly optimistic’ is not how you’d hear my friends or family ever describe me, but following Gabe’s story without a doubt provided me hope when I needed it most.
Read More“Being #BravelikeFrenchy means choosing positive and living life fully one day at a time. I am often asked, ‘how do you do it?’ It was an easy choice to stay positive. I have to accept my situation and know that I can only control what I can do. So I will focus on what I can do and stay active.”
Read MoreBeing active is a big part of being able to bounce back after tough cancer treatments like chemo, radiation, or surgeries. Start with short walks and build on those! Do a little more each day. You will be surprised how far you can get in a short period of time! Don't let your set-backs bring you down- let them motivate you! Encourage your family and friends to join you and motivate each other!
Read More“I have choices in life - I can sit and cry and choose not to act in-line with my values. Or, I can choose to take the situation I’m in and make the most out of it. I was going through chemo at this time last year and here I am running 26.2 miles! Mindset means a lot and I know my actions can have a ripple effect.”
Read More“I will be marking my personal victory of 1000 days of sobriety on race day as I run the TC 10 Mile on Team Brave Like Gabe. Alcohol was no longer a companion but an enemy, jeopardizing my potential as a mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Like Gabe and countless others, my fight wasn't a choice, but my response was - I chose bravery. Acknowledging one's bravery can be tough, yet it's crucial, especially for women like me who've grappled with addiction and emerged victorious.”
Read More“#BraveLikeLandon means not surrendering to my diagnosis. A serious diagnosis and the resulting treatments can feel all consuming. I have made an effort for the meaningful and fulfilling parts of my life to remain dominant. For me this means continuing to create artwork and making time to get outside. I still make plans with friends and continue to find humor in all situations, including my experience with cancer. I am serious about managing my health and my cancer treatments, but when my appointments are done I focus on being me and doing the things I love.”
Read More“Running has helped me stay motivated. My first memory of waking up after my surgery was hearing my mother say that the doctors said I would not be able to run for a year and I would never run a marathon again. Just 15 months later, I ran a marathon and have run 4 more since then. I was very cautious and careful in my recovery but was not willing to let this experience derail me from ever running distance again.”
Read More“When I look at my scar, I see endurance. I see prayer, community and survival. It allows me to reflect on my story but it encourage me to look ahead. It makes me grateful for those who carried me when I couldn’t carry myself and proud for the moments that I was able to fight against all odds. My scars are something that are unique to who I am today, and it provides hope to who I can be tomorrow.”
Read More“I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in January 2021. I have been running as much as possible through nearly 2 years of chemotherapy, surgeries, and dealing with this disease. There have been many ups and downs and huge life changes, however running is one thing that has remained a constant, even though it's changed.”
Read More“I chose to paint my head during radiation treatments as a way to keep myself going. It’s a very beautiful experience to see all the smiles. That’s so important to me. It’s also very brave because it takes a lot of courage to do such a thing being around mostly adults. But if I can be the spark to light up the kid in someone, then it’s so worth it. Especially to see that smile. And that’s brave like both of us.”
Read More#BraveLikeSharon means running on positivity and with a community that believes we can help more people detect cancer earlier (when it’s most treatable). We got this!! I’m still so humbled by the random strangers (now friends) that have helped me raise funds and been so supportive in my cancer and running journey!
Read MoreBeing “BraveLikeJenn” is to be honest and persistent, always seeking the best quality of life which includes running. When I talk to folks about my diagnosis, surgery and recovery, most people just want to change the subject. I think it is important to be transparent about my disease, to connect with people, and grow their awareness of cancer and survival. Surviving cancer looks like me!
Read MoreBeing #BraveLikeJosh is all about continuing to push yourself. Especially after having a hard setback from treatment, surgery, or progression it can feel like you're spinning your wheels trying to chase physical goals. But finding new ways to train or challenge your body can do such amazing things for your treatment journey that it always pays off somehow!
Read MoreI hope that I can be an inspiration for other girls my age that are going through a hard time, to see that there is light at the end of that long, dark, painful tunnel. No matter how many times cancer decides to try to take over, you can fight, get back up again and do what makes you feel good and happy!
Read MoreBeing #BraveLikeJennifer means regardless of what obstacles life throws at us, we all have something to give and offer to the world. Each one of us does this in a different way, but we can all learn from each other and be the best version of ourselves.
Read MoreBeing #BraveLikeMark means to transcend the mediocre. The usual patient or person dealing with any issue just exists, but the #bravelikegabe individual seeks for adventure within the self.
Read MoreBeing #BraveLikeRosa means never giving up on your dreams and hopes, whatever they are. It’s looking at everything you are and knowing how wonderful you are and how much value you bring every single day. It also means that there are both good days and not so good days.
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