I lost my dear friend Louisa to ovarian cancer almost four years ago. She was in her late 40s – the same age as me – a marathon runner and a triathlete. I, too, have been a runner for decades and ran my first half marathon in 2023, having rehabbed from an extensive knee surgery. When I made the decision to train for the New York City full marathon the following year – the year I turned 50 and Lou would have too – I knew I wanted to run it for Tell Every Amazing Lady® to raise awareness and funds for this devastating disease.

My friend Louisa dealt with her diagnosis with courage, grace, acceptance and even humor and as I trained in 2024 I tried to take those lessons and apply them every day. I needed to apply them in ways I hadn’t bargained for when, two weeks out from marathon day, I was diagnosed with a femoral stress fracture. Not only were my marathon 2024 dreams over, but the injury led to over three months on crutches and six months before I could even jog again.

In May 2025, I started training again for the New York City Marathon and on November 3rd 2025, I ran it! I was so thrilled to be able to do it having overcome so many obstacles and to be able to run it for Louisa, and for Tell Every Amazing Lady®.

I love how running makes me feel and every mile I run and every dollar I raise for Tell Every Amazing Lady® reminds me not to take things in life for granted, that we only ever really have today, that we can only run the mile we’re in. I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing team in Paris and once again to be showing up for my friend, Louisa, who in her life and in her death, showed me what it means to show up for myself. 

To donate to Yvonne, please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s 2026 Schneider Electric Marathon De Paris Marathon Fundraising Page. To apply for a future marathon, or to learn more, please visit Team Tell Every Amazing Lady®’s marathon page today.