St. John's Sunshine Run participants share their thoughts on participating in the annual event. E-mail us your Reasons to Run at stjohns.foundation@mercy.net.

Stan Barlow

Stan Barlow started running four years ago after he received news he had prostate cancer. After recovery from surgery, his radiation oncologist, retired St. John’s physician Drew Rogers, M.D., suggested that he would do better if he exercised for 45 minutes a day.

“He told me to walk as fast as I could 45 minutes each day – walk like I was late to an important meeting. Before long I started running regularly with a group at the YMCA,” Barlow says.

Despite having chemotherapy three days in a row prior to the 2003 Sunshine Run, Barlow was determined to run the 10K event.

“I run regularly now. I run three miles three to four times a week and run a 10K on the weekends. I look forward to the Sunshine Run,” Barlow says. His cancer is in remission, although his doctors say he will likely need radiation therapy at some point. Barlow says staying physically active has become a way of life for him now.

Renee Fesperman

Renee Fesperman began running shortly after her 30^th birthday in 2000.

“I was over 30 and fighting it,” says Renee. “Back then that was my motivation.” 

In early 2004 her motivation and her life was drastically changed when she was diagnosed with grade one breast cancer. 

Renee discovered a lump during a self exam, but because of her age and with no family history was not overly concerned.  After telling her physician about the lump, a routine mammogram was ordered.

The mammogram revealed a lump less than a centimeter in size and her lymph nodes were negative so the cancer had not spread.  Shortly after her diagnosis, Renee had a series of four surgeries to remove the lump and reconstruct her breast.  During that time running was the only thing Renee felt like she had control over. 

“I felt like I was running for my life,” she says. “Running was my therapy during that difficult time.”

Nine months after her diagnosis, Renee participated in her first St. John’s Sunshine Run.  Finishing the race brought a feeling of accomplishment and hope to Renee that it motivated her and a group of friends to run every year together.  

This year will be Renee’s fourth Sunshine Run. She is running the 5K to benefit Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.  “You only have one body, be glad you have the ability to run and be sure to take full advantage of it”.