Meet Move For Jenn Grant Recipient, Bec Pfeifer
Meet one of our newest grant recipients, Bec!
Bec is a wife, mother, leadership and wellness coach, and runner. Bec found running at the age of 50 when she signed up for a four person marathon relay race with her children and sister in the spring of 2010. She immediately fell in love with running and signed up for her first half marathon that fall. Bec says, "running quickly became essential to building and maintaining my physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being."
Between 2010 and 2016, Bec completed 3-4 half marathons each running season.
In January of 2017, Bec had her first of seven surgeries over a five-year period to remove a recurring tumor in her right foot. On February 8, 2023, at 62 years of age, she had her right foot amputated as the most recent tumor attacked and destroyed the bone and connective tissue. On March 30, 2023, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Spindle Cell Sarcoma.
Bec says, "while my identity now includes being a person with a disability and living with cancer, I am determined to continue living my life with purpose and positivity."
On April 24 of this year, Bec received her first prosthetic foot. She immediately got to work and learned how to move, walk, drive, and function with a prosthesis. Her goal is to now resume running, something she has been missing for over three years!
Bec will make her "official" return to running on October 28 at the Monster Dash 5K in St. Paul. She has a goal to return to running half marathons by the fall of 2024.
"For me, running isn't just about the physical exercise - it's a significant contributor to mental health and overall wellness. I believe that for me to continue helping others and live aligned with my core purpose, it's critical to manage and sustain my own health and wellness."
We are thrilled to be able to give Bec the gift of movement! She is a force and we cannot wait to see all she accomplishes with her new Össur blade.
Are you a sarcoma warrior who needs assistance with an activewear prosthetic? Learn more about our grant process here.