On Sunday, 10/14, after being delayed by one hurricane and threatened by yet another, hundreds of runners lined up along East 7th Street at Charlotte’s annual Hit the Brixx 5K. While most folks were there to “push themselves” in the usual race fashion, a select few were there to do something quite different…to both push and be pushed in a powerful way! These HIMs of F3 were not there to set new PRs, but rather to serve as Speed For Need drivers, in pushing four young men who would not otherwise have been able to participate. These four Track Commanders, in turn, pushed their F3 Drivers, and every other runner and spectator at that race, to engage as servant leaders in our community! #WHOPUSHESWHO

Congratulations to Brandon, Jo-Jo, Joe, and Nick on an awesome race finish!

Step back to last years’ Amazing Grace 5K. We had the honor and privilege to meet and push Michael in the Speed for Need racing chair. Well, Michael and his dog. His mom started the race pushing and his dad finished it. It was obvious from the start that he was tough and he was driven. But more than that, his family support was overwhelming. Such love and commitment to fight with him. That love and drive was on display again this year. Just one year later, Michael not only walked the 5K but sprinted to the finish. And he had his family around him, pouring into him all morning.

We had the honor and privilege this year to push Ava and Matias. Let’s start with Ava. She rode a couple weeks ago at Isabella Santos so it was clear from the first email that her and her mom were pros. All over it. The whole family was. Even Ava’s sister, Zoey, was ready to roll. She was jumping in the blue chair faster than we could get Ava in pink. It was the support of her sister riding that gave Ava the confidence and smiles to race.

It was Matias’ first time riding with Speed for Need but he couldn’t get the jersey on fast enough. That smile and thumbs up were seemingly on all morning. And it was incredibly heartwarming to watch his mom carry him across the finish line as she finished her walk. Then the whole family embraced. The love of this family unit was apparent from the moment they arrived.

All of these families have clearly embraced the journey. Not without challenges and setbacks and really hard stuff. But when love is present, it allows for healing and it promotes drive. Thank you Michael, Ava, and Matias for sharing your stories and giving the men of F3 Nation and Speed for Need the opportunity to be a part of your awesome journeys. And thank you to the Amazing Grace Foundation for your relentless support of this community. It is so incredible to watch as you support Grace’s mission with love and passion.

 

“THIS IS IT. This is the 5-minutes you wanted to watch (either now or save for later) on the Komen Charlotte “Race for the Cure.” Give yourself this gift. THIS is Charlotte. THESE are our Warriors.” – Molly Grantham

You’ll understand what Who Pushes Who means straight from the lips of the many cancer fighters from this past weekend’s Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.

The Isabella Santos Foundation 5K is a special race for Speed for Need every year. 2018 was no different. Any kind of cancer takes its toll on a family but pediatric cancer has its own, unique challenges. We are so thankful for the strong family bonds that each of our four track commanders have and were honored to be able to include their siblings in this race. Congratulations to all of our track commanders on an awesome race!

St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate for childhood cancer from less than 20% when we first opened our doors to 80% today. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. Speed for Need was honored to push three track commanders to the finish. Congratulations!