“I’ve never raced before, but I want to,” I thought when I saw the registration link for the 27th tournament. Gift of Life Donor DashIt was held in Philadelphia last month.
I'm 52 years old and have cystic fibrosis (CF), insulin-dependent cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, stage 3 chronic kidney disease (I only have one kidney left), and a bilateral lung transplant 3.5 years ago. I was feeling motivated at the time, so I clicked the box to sign up for my first 5K. Just signing up felt like I'd won the race.
My double lung transplant surgery took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, I've felt trapped in another world, caught between being overly cautious and practicing pre-pandemic mindfulness. The pandemic threatened the existence of all of us with CF. Waiting on the transplant list during that time required utmost vigilance.
During the 21 months I was on that list, I maintained a delicate balance of effort and rest. This pattern kept me safe — stable and out of the hospital. But after my surgery, I often wondered if I was living this new gift of life to the fullest.
But this year, I finally felt like I was waking up to the idea of living fully again. It took a lot longer than I expected. After my transplant, I was out in the world and feeling pretty good, but something was holding me back that I couldn't put into words. What if I hurt myself, or pushed myself too hard and caused problems that would negate this gift I had been given? Would I then disappoint my organ donor? Would I be able to have a second transplant if I needed to?
When I saw an ad for the Gift of Life Donor Dash, a switch flipped inside me. My soul, which had felt fragile and vulnerable for so long, gave me permission to push myself to discover what this new body could do. That alone gave me a feeling of freedom I hadn't experienced since I was a teenager. My daughter and sister immediately signed up to run with me.
Jennifer Bleacher attends the 2024 Gift of Life Donor Dash in Philadelphia on April 28. (Courtesy of Jennifer Bleacher)
I started working out on the treadmill, just like I did when I was on the transplant list. I was born with CF lungs, so walking far was unbearable. While on the transplant list, I knew exercise was essential as I headed into surgery, so I walked every day, sometimes just for a minute. Every few days, I walked an extra minute. It was the best I could do at the time, but I told myself this would help something. As the weeks went by, my endurance improved.
To warm up for my run, I walked for a few minutes, then ran for a few seconds, then walked again. My daughter sent me a 5K training schedule, and although I wasn't able to run the recommended time, I used it as a guide. I slowly increased my running time, even if just by a few seconds.
The day before my run, my schedule told me to rest. I reflected on what had happened to me by signing up for this event. I realized how much I had grown, that I was still here and that I was fine for now. I sat meditating all day and told myself to celebrate whatever I had accomplished. I told myself that the next day, whatever my body had accomplished, I would be proud of it.
Race Day
Race day arrived. My daughter and sister were by my side. As we stood in the huge crowd, waiting for the horn to sound to start the race, I felt an energy of nervousness and excitement rise up inside me. I knew I wouldn't be able to run for more than two minutes at a time, but I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the race.
Jennifer Bleacher, center, stands with her daughter, Claudia Hannum, left, and sister, Dottie Kramer, after completing the 2024 Gift of Life Donor Dash. (Courtesy of Jennifer Bleacher)
I walked about 80% of the time, jogging a little, but I was thrilled to have completed the event. There were so many people there, both organ recipients and donor families who had lost loved ones. All at different fitness levels, all coming together to support the compassionate and selfless miracle that is organ donation.
I was out on the course, soaking it all up, surrounded by this new community that included me. As we reached the finish line at the end of the course, my daughter passed me. She was smiling and waving. Tears filled my eyes as she saw me doing my best.
Proceeds from this annual run go to: Gift of Life Transplant Foundationis an organization that supports programs and activities for transplant patients and donor families. It was great to be able to honor our donors in this way, and I plan to do my best again next year.
Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is a website that provides news and information about the disease only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion on issues relating to cystic fibrosis.
