BALTIMORE — Having bonded through perseverance, determination and running, two cancer survivors and their nurses are ready to compete in this weekend's Maryland Half Marathon and 5K.
Runners and walkers from across the region will come together to run in support of the fight against cancer in the Maple Lawn community of Howard County.
The Maryland Half Marathon and 5K benefits the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center
Donna Dayton and nurse Tiffany Tyler met and bonded through running after both were diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
“Stage 4 is probably the worst symptom you can hear about,” Dayton said.
Dayton was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in 2013. She was determined to beat it.
At the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, her medical team developed a promising, personalized treatment plan.
“You may have great family and friends, but you need medical professionals and people who believe in what you want as much as you do,” Dayton said.
Tyler told WJZ that running helped them bond – she was training to run in the Maryland Half Marathon.
“She was inspired and said, 'One day I'm going to run this race with you,'” Tyler said.
Dayton underwent an esophagectomy, one of the most extensive surgeries performed at the cancer center.
The cancerous part of the esophagus was removed before surgeons reconstructed the swallowing tube.
Shortly after the major surgery, Dayton's mind shifted to running.
“I went to visit her while she was recovering in the hospital and she said we'd run a race together next year,” Tyler said.
In 2015, Dayton and Tyler ran their first Maryland Half Marathon together.
Over the years they continued to run together and became friends.
Then, in 2017, Dayton learned she was officially cancer-free.
“It was a race, it was a marathon and it was really tough for me, but I couldn't leave my kids without their mom,” Dayton said.
“She wanted a chance at a cure and she pursued it, despite what she was told,” Tyler said.
