Lacing Up for Lungs

Meet Sarah Evans (and her mom Isabelle). In 2021, Sarah teamed up with GO2 for Lung Cancer. As part of the GO2 for Lung Cancer Endurance Team, she raised awareness and much-needed funds to help improve lung cancer survival. We talked to Evans about her passion for running, raising money for lung cancer, and what advice she has for others who might want to fundraise for the cause.

How long have you been a runner?

I ran a little track and field and cross country in both middle school and high school. After that, I mostly ran because I liked being outside and because it is great exercise. But I’d say I officially became a “runner” when I ran my first half marathon in 2013.

Who inspired you to fundraise for GO2 for Lung Cancer?

I’d run the Denver Colfax Half Marathon in 2019 and 2020 while raising money. Each time I chose a person and nonprofit near and dear to my heart. My mom was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in July 2019, so she became my inspiration to fundraise for GO2 for Lung Cancer last year.

What was your mom’s reaction?

I think my mom’s exact words were “Better you than me!” (She’s never been a runner.) In all seriousness, she was very proud.

How did your fundraising go? What was your biggest concern?

Fundraising went really well! I had an initial goal of raising $1,000, and I hit that a week before race day. So I upped my goal to $1,500—and ended up with almost $1,700!

It’s always tough to ask people for money. My biggest concern was that the pandemic has been tough on a lot of people financially and that there are so many great causes. So I was surprised and genuinely touched that people seemed to give more than I expected.

Do you have any lessons learned or advice for someone else considering running a race with the GO2 Endurance Team?

DO IT! You’ll get such amazing support (both with fundraising and outside of fundraising) and get to meet other people who are running and raising funds for the same cause.

My mom lives in Canada, so I’ve often felt extra helpless when it comes to being there for her and wishing there was more I could do. Fundraising for GO2 for Lung Cancer was a great way to do something a bit more concrete and feel like I was making a difference. And having such an important “why” was also very motivating during those last few weeks of training—and especially during the race.