“I hope people see that you can still make something beautiful and powerful out of a bad situation.”
— Gabriele Grunewald
Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald was a remarkable professional middle-distance runner and rare cancer advocate from Minnesota. Despite facing multiple cancer diagnoses, she remained determined to continue running professionally and achieved impressive athletic feats, including a US Championship title and an NCAA All-American status. However, after a decade-long battle with cancer, Gabe passed away in 2019, leaving behind a powerful legacy that continues to inspire and impact many.
The Brave Like Gabe Foundation was established by Gabe to share her story, inspire others to connect and do the same, and make a difference in the cancer community. The foundation’s mission is to support rare cancer research and empower all cancer survivors through physical activity. Gabe’s belief in the power of running and physical activity as a form of medicine during all phases of her cancer journey has influenced the foundation’s approach towards supporting cancer survivors.
The foundation values hope, joy, kindness, bravery, equity, community, and integrity. They cultivate hope by sharing it with others and see it multiply in everyone it touches. They approach each day with optimism and gratitude for one another and the community, fostering authentic connections by showing up for one another in the hardest times. They also prioritize compassion, humility, and empathy in their relationships with others.
Additionally, the foundation embraces challenge as an opportunity for growth, taking bold action in the face of uncertainty with courage, tenacity, and heart. They encourage others to keep running on hope when life gets tough, empowering the community to do the same.
Lastly, the foundation advocates for and invests in research on historically under-funded cancers that prioritize the inclusion of those who are disproportionately impacted by cancer. They aim to make a difference in the cancer community by encouraging others to share their stories and connect with one another while also advocating for dedicated research funding for rare cancers.
Gabe’s legacy and the Brave Like Gabe Foundation continue to inspire and impact many people. Their dedication to supporting rare cancer research and empowering cancer survivors through physical activity is commendable. They encourage hope, joy, kindness, bravery, equity, community, and integrity in all that they do, making a difference in the cancer community while inspiring others to share their struggles and achieve their dreams.
https://www.bravelikegabe.org/mission
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