On October 17, 2000, my mother, Esmeralda Werbeck, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Three days later on October 20, my mother had a bilateral mastectomy performed. On November 28 of the same year, she had her first chemotherapy treatment. Over the course of the next five years, my mother would undergo 3 blood transfusions, 17 hospitalizations, 19 rounds of chemotherapy, 28 radiation treatments, and 25 different surgeries.
My mother's fight against cancer was not an easy one. Over the course of her five-year battle, my mother's health was up and down on a day to day basis. She would continually deal with going in and out of the hospital for a number of different health concerns. As time went on, medical treatments became more frequent, and the bills kept increasing. Esmeralda's Run was created in an effort to help my family in a time of financial need. The overwhelming support of a united community lifted the spirits of my family when we needed it most.
It was around two weeks prior to Thanksgiving that I received a phone call to come home because my mother's health was declining rapidly. I returned home from school to see my mother lying in her bed with an oxygen mask on. At the time she was sleeping, but as I walked into the room she began to wake up. Elated that I had finally arrived home, she asked me to lie in bed next to her so that we could talk. The first thing we talked about was how excited she was about Esmeralda’s Run. My mother just couldn't believe that such a big event was being held in her honor.
Prior to this conversation, my mother had expressed that her greatest fear was not being remembered by anyone. As her son, this caused me a lot of emotional heartache as to what I could do to make sure that her fear was addressed. Esmeralda’s Run provided the perfect answer. By holding Esmeralda’s Run, my mother's memory would live on. Esmeralda’s Run would give those who knew her a chance to remember her for the beautiful person that she was. Through Esmeralda’s Run, my mother could be remembered for her valiant fight against cancer. People would remember how cancer never held my mother back, and how it didn't dampen her spirits, weaken her strength, cloud her mind, or darken her heart. Esmeralda’s Run would ensure that my mother's greatest fear never came true. It would provide an opportunity for everyone to gather in remembrance of my mother and to unite together to fight the battle against cancer.
Each year, Esmeralda's Run is held at the Austin Tennis Academy in Spanish Oaks. Per my mother's wishes, all of the proceeds raised will go directly to the Lance Armstrong and A Glimmer of Hope foundations. Please join me again this year on a day we can all race for a great cause. With your help, Esmeralda's Run will be a great success for two amazing, local foundations. This race is an opprotunity for me to share my mother's story, and for anyone who has ever lost someone close to them.
Sincerely,
Brent Werbeck
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