Legacy of Hope is proud to announce that BethAnn Telford, endurance athlete and cancer research advocate, will be joining PHL24 2019 as a 24-hour athlete.
BethAnn’s journey to endurance athlete has not been a linear one.
She grew up an active child in Central Pennsylvania, and played organized sports ranging from soccer to hockey to skiing. This base endurance led her to become a marathon runner and triathlete.
In 2004, while at mile 19 of the Marine Corps Marathon, she felt a “pop” in her head. It was then that she began to struggle with balance and memory issues. In early 2005, BethAnn learned she had a brain tumor.
“It’s hard to describe the shock of being diagnosed with brain cancer in my 30’s. I was stunned and everything felt surreal, like it was happening to someone else,” BethAnn said. “Luckily, I had a great support team to help me evaluate my treatment options. We visited multiple hospital and doctors; and decided on Dr. Henry Brem at Johns Hopkins University Hospital as my neurosurgeon. I am very fortunate to have such wonderful care from so many around me.”
After undergoing her first brain surgery that April, Beth Ann was determined to run again, despite the fact she had to relearn how to walk, talk and move. Six weeks after beginning rehab, BethAnn crossed the finish line of a 5K race. Later that year, she was back on the Marine Corps Marathon course, with a quick pause at mile 19 to thank her large network of supporters.
BethAnn has continued to face her health struggles and procedures with the determination that one would expect from an endurance athlete. Since her diagnosis, she has finished 14 more Marine Corps Marathons, 6 Boston Marathons, and became a 3-time Ironman, including the Kona World Championships in Hawaii. She is also a finisher of the 2017 World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons, on 7 continents, in 7 days).
The work that BethAnn is most proud of is not her spectacular athletic record, but her dedication to the brain cancer community. She founded Team BT as part of the Race for Hope DC 5K Run/Walk and has raised more than $1 million dollars for brain cancer research. She is also a fierce supporter of pediatric brain cancer patients and offers a network of support to the children and their families during their treatment.
“BethAnn’s story of courage and resolve through intense pain and uncertainty is remarkable, and something we can all be encouraged by,” said Mike Rowe, CEO and Founder of Legacy of Hope. “She is hope personified.”
When Legacy of Hope reached out to BethAnn regarding PHL24, she enthusiastically agreed.
“I am so excited to be part of the Legacy of Hope and the PHL24 event. As a cancer survivor and advocate for cancer research, I know first-hand how hard it is for cancer patients and families to find the support they need, especially with the stress and uncertainty related to receiving treatment,” BethAnn said. “Having an organization like Legacy of Hope provide financial support, counseling, and other services helps patients and families focus more on getting well and less on worrying about other things.”
Register to join BethAnn in her tireless fight for the cancer community.