I lost 2 out of 4 grandparents to cancer by the time I was 6. A couple of years after I moved to the US, back in Peru my mother got diagnosed with uterine cancer and one of my closest uncles with colon cancer, all in the span of 24 months. It was one of the hardest things for them and our family. Although they are survivors and thank god they remain cancer free up to this day, that disease took its toll.

And despite that family history, I used to smoke; I still eat like I had the metabolism of a 16 year old and will rarely pass on some adult beverages. As I approach 40 and my second year wedding anniversary, I realize it is time to change 

So I am fighting for 3 reasons:

To honor my mom and uncle, to try to be as brave as they were.

To raise enough funds to end this disease so someday no families have to go through what mine went through.

To take on one of the most grueling physical challenges I can think of as motivator to get healthy and finally get that summer body.