What a difference a day makes. Well, a few months actually. Last summer, Lavelle & Finn COO Mary Ibbetson was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, less than one year later, she is healthy, thankful for a deep and vast support network and back to her usual fitness routine. Recently, as her way to join her love of exercising (running in particular) with a desire to further extend that support network, Mary has started a local affiliate of Team Survivor.

Originally founded in 1995, Team Survivor grew out of the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series. Overseen by the not-for-profit umbrella organization National Association of Team Survivor, the more than 20 United States affiliates provide “group exercise for women with a present or past diagnosis of cancer”. The women, who are of all ages, have been diagnosed with any type of cancer and are at all stages of treatment and recovery, participate in activities as varied as walk/run groups, golf clinics, Pilates and triathlon training. I’ll bet if you keep your eyes open you’ll see Mary and a group of Team Survivors out for their run one evening!

If you would like more information about Team Survivor and Mary’s affiliate, please visit www.teamsurvivoralbany.org.