Dustin at Tallahassee Marathon

As part of National Cancer Control Month, we want to remember those we have lost, support those fighting this disease, and recommit to progressing toward effective cancer control. Our April 20 and 21, 2013 Run For Rhodes #Anywhere5K is to honor one such person, Dustin Rhodes.

Dustin is a 28-year-old husband, father, son, brother, friend, and runner whose life was changed in one 48-hour period from training for a 50-mile ultra race to a race to figure out how to deal with the severely aggressive brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, that made him collapse at work. Until that day, he was in peak health.

Dustin is only one of 200 people in the world in their 20s to be diagnosed with this type of cancer. An intensively sensitive and delicate surgery in January removed 90% of the tumors, one of which still lies perilously close to his brain’s “motor strip.” He faces radiation treatment, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and a long fight to beat the odds.

Dustin began running cross-country in high school and in September 2012 logged 71 miles in his first 24-hour face. One of Dustin’s spiritual role models is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, an athletic young priest who died at 24 in the 1920s. Pier Giorgio’s prayer, “The Prayer to be Great,” includes these lines:

“Give me the courage to strive for the highest goals,
to flee every temptation to be mediocre.
Free me from the fear of failure.”

Dustin’s drive to run distances most of us would never attempt shows his determination to leave “mediocre” in the dust. The same determination fuels his fight against cancer. Join us to help Dustin strive for his highest goal and win.

Run For Rhodes #Anywhere5K

Date: 04/20/2013 & 04/21/2013
Time: Anytime
Location: Anywhere
Distance: 5K
Entry fee: $0

Come race day, download and print your #Anywhere5K bib (available soon), run your race, and submit your time using the finisher form.

We’ll then tally the results and post them the following Monday (because we want to give folks in Hawaii an opportunity to run) on the Results page, in a blog post, and on our social media accounts.

Now, tell the world via Twitter and Facebook that you’re running.

Donations for Dustin
There are several ways to help Dustin. First and foremost, running or walking in the Run for Rhodes will strengthen him and his family. Second, raising awareness of the need for research into effective cures for glioblastoma multiforme is key. Lastly, this young family faces serious financial consequences. Both Dustin and Rebecca had to leave their jobs, and the treatment will outstrip his health insurance. Cards, letters, and donations can be sent to:

Dustin Rhodes
P.O. Box 14
Dallastown, PA 17313-0014

Alternatively, you can donate online using the link: http://dustrhodes.com/how-you-can-help/

To learn more about Dustin’s story and subscribe to updates, visit his website at www.dustrhodes.com.