*Debbie Rogers is happy, healthy, and has a new lease on life which she credits Walt Disney World Resort. The 55-year old Westchester, New York native and mother of five children suffered from a foot injury during the 26.2-mile Disney Marathon in January. While Rogers assumed that a quick visit to her doctor would result in a simple remedy for her injured foot, her life was momentarily shattered when her doctor discovered that she had a cancerous tumor on her right lung.
“It was a scary time and it set me back six months,” recalls Rogers. Despite the dismal prognosis, her doctor’s early detection of cancer allowed her to make a full recovery despite having part of her right lung removed during surgery. Because it was a foot injury that prompted her doctor’s visit and essentially saved her life, it was fitting that Rogers returned to her old stomping ground to celebrate her second chance at life by running the 13.1-mile Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.
On the morning of the race, Rogers posed for pictures with her friends, performed warming up exercises and stretches, and she was off to the complete the course race once the fireworks went off. Rogers confessed that some miles of the race was difficult for her but it was her friends that helped her cross the finish line. “I’m so thankful they decided to help me and stay with me. Usually, I run by myself and I’m just really grateful [for] my running friends. It was tough, I had to really dig deep and I’m really proud of myself,” says Rogers.
Returning to Walt Disney World Resort to take part in the Wine and Dine Half Marathon is significant to Rogers because it serves as an affirmation that she can overcome and do anything despite any obstacles she may face. “This race is meaningful to me and now I can start fresh. I’m healthy and it’s kind of like a new beginning and I’m very excited,” says Rogers.
The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend is the first of four runDisney race weekends at Walt Disney World Resort during the 2018-2019 race season.
Next up is the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna (Jan. 9-13, 2019)
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February 21-24, 2019)
Star Wars Rival Run Weekend (April 4-7, 2019)
For more information and registration visit www.rundisney.com.
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