Today’s a5K Story was submitted by Theresa Williams.

I am Theresa. I am a mom, wife, and sister. My kidneys have not been perfect since 1993, but it has been manageable. I take my medicine and things are pretty stable. In 2010 it got a little shaky, and things became less stable. I became borderline diabetic, borderline because I convinced my doctor to postpone medication for 6 months.

I put myself on a strict clean-eating diet with a regular workout routine. I’ve dropped almost 100lbs and have all my numbers back in check. And then I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome. Ugh, can there be any more?

My younger sister has Crohn’s Disease, it is a crappy disease. She is definitely sicker than me. In December 2011, I ran in Vegas to raise money for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. I was not much of a runner and my body wasn’t in tip-top shape. But honestly it wasn’t about me. It was about my sister. I couldn’t cure her, but I could run.

But honestly it wasn’t about me. It was about her. I couldn’t cure her but I could run.”

I didn’t do much in 2012. My husband and I became proud parents of a beautiful granddaughter. And babies take time, she needed me home not running after work. So I thought. My body started getting out of whack again. First time I learned that Sjogren’s is a lot more of a bum kicker than just dry eyes.

Speed up to today. My older sister still has cancer. I can’t cure her either, but I can run. I can raise money for the smart people that can cure her. I have a little kidney disease and an autoimmune problem. But those things won’t kill me. Not if I eat right and get my butt in shape.

I don’t have cancer. So I am my Sister’s Runner, because I can run for her. I can do this little bit to make a difference.

Got thoughts on Theresa’s story? Send her an email or leave ‘em below. You can read more from Theresa at: http://mysistersrunner.blogspot.com/.