My Team AllEars Journey

by April Arnold

My journey to Team Allears begins with a love story. My husband and I met in college in 2005, just two crazy kids with an affinity for political science. We soon discovered we also had a shared interest in Disney. We had traveled to the land of the mouse many times growing up and we soon found out we were both just kids at heart.

Our first trip in 2007 sealed the deal and we were hooked. We were just broke students but we had splurged for the Disney Dining Plan. Our love for food equals our love for Disney and our reservation at Le Cellier steakhouse was an excursion to heaven. Five trips later (including an engagement in the Magic Kingdom) and several blissful years of marriage, we’ve kept going and never looked back.

Running has had a place in my life ever since I realized I had no hand eye coordination. Starting as a sprinter, my post high school running career pushed my distances further and further until my first full marathon this past January 2012. When the announcer at the starting line told us our lives would be changed after this race, I knew I wanted to run it again.

So how does Team Allears fit in all this?

Earlier this spring, after finding a lump on his throat, my husband was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. We were terrified. Our doctor told us to relax, this type of cancer has an incredibly high success rate and he will be completely fine. He had surgery in late April and is ready to do another spin on Toy Story Mania.

Something we both took away from this experience was how incredibly lucky we were. Trips to the doctor for a biopsy, seven hours in the waiting room during his surgery, and days in the hospital aren’t even close to what someone who has breast cancer has to go through. I knew I wanted to give back and Team Allears was the answer.

Now I run for those who can’t. I get up to train at 5 a.m. and run hills to find a cure. Don’t feel sorry for our experience. Be angry for those who have no have no choice and take action.

See you in the parks!