#BraveLikeKaren

Name: Karen Xaverius
Age: 40
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer

Years of Survivorship: 18 months
Location: Chicago

Follow Karen on Instagram.

Karen shared her story with us after she Finished the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Here are some of her thoughts right after achieving her goal…

“Many, many emotions after yesterday. 2019 was my first marathon and I never in a million years thought I’d do another one. As we all know, life happens and changes come prompting a different perspective.

I set this goal to run in 2023, just after last year’s marathon. I had joined Gilda's Club Chicago and was needing their support from my own cancer journey & life post-treatment. It was a tangible goal and I felt strongly about giving back; running for someone who was in a similar situation or for those who, unfortunately, aren’t with us anymore.

2023 has been hard both physically and mentally. My body has been through so much, and up until a few days ago, I wasn’t sure if I could run this race. Bags of fluids at the hospital and an amazing team of physical therapists from Athletico worked with me all week. The expo really pumped me up and I knew this was all possible.

My friend, Molly, is missed greatly. She was and is my “why” in life. I’ve always known how blessed I am with my family and friends. So many of them came out yesterday with signs, cheers and love. I finished yesterday because of them, and their ability to constantly show up for me is inspiring.

I am so proud of myself! Finishing just under 6 hours is such an accomplishment. I met some amazing ladies along the course who were oncology nurses and breast cancer survivors. I crossed the finish line in tears and a volunteer came to me and said, “X-lady, you just finished a marathon; I hope those are happy tears!” I told her I had gone through breast cancer treatment last year and didn’t think this was possible. Her hug and putting the medal on was one of the best feelings ever.”

“Keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

— Karen Xaverius

How has running or staying physically active affected your journey?

“Physical activity is important to me. I played basketball growing up and started Orangetheory in my adult years. Being diagnosed with cancer felt so scary. I turned to fitness and the community to help keep me going. I truly felt all the love and support. I set a goal in 2022 to run the 2023 marathon to remind myself and others that cancer can’t hold me back.”

What advice do you have for people on staying fit throughout their recovery?

“Take time for yourself; yet lean on those close to you. Keeping my mental health in check during treatments felt even more important; there is a grief process and it’s helpful to begin to go through all the emotions that come with this diagnosis.”

“I set a goal in 2022 to run the 2023 Chicago Marathon to remind myself and others that cancer can’t hold me back.”

What are some of your proudest accomplishments?

“Running the marathon and being able to tell my story in front of 600 people at a fundraising event - I have never spoken publicly to such a large crowd!”

How has Gabe's story impacted you or changed the way you view life as a cancer patient/survivor?

“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.”