Chapman students run in Big Sur International Marathon for lung cancer charity

Sophomores Cat Mahoney and Gracie-Anne Fraunfelder ran in The Big Sur International Marathon on April 30 to raise money for the LUNGevity Foundation, which advocates for lung cancer research. Unsplash

When deciding to run a marathon to help raise money for lung cancer, the cause hit close to home for two Chapman University students. For Gracie-Anne Fraunfelder, she was immediately reminded of her grandfather, who died from lung cancer when she was younger.

Cat Mahoney, on the other hand, had a heart complication when she was a year old and was told that she would never be physically able to do something like running in a marathon. To this date, she has participated in many marathons, half-marathons and triathlons.

The Big Sur International Marathon takes place every year along the Pacific Coast with around 4,500 participants competing annually on April 30. The marathon, which takes around six hours to complete, occurs on the Pacific Coast Highway from Big Sur to Monterey.

Mahoney, an animation and visual effects major, and Fraunfelder had been training extensively over the past semester by weight lifting and running shorter runs to participate in this marathon to support the LUNGevity Foundation. 

“We chose LUNGevity because we’ve both been affected by lung diseases,” said Fraunfelder, a sophomore business major. “My grandfather passed from lung cancer when I was little, so the charity felt close to my heart.”

This organization researches methods for the early signs of lung cancer and looks to find treatments for people with lung cancer. The foundation also helps support those affected by the disease through education, community and support.

Marco Bisoff, a co-director of the chemistry and biochemistry program at Chapman, has also participated and conducted research for cancer. He spoke with The Panther on the importance of funding future research for cancer. 

“Fortunately, as with all types of cancer, research is indeed advancing our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells develop and metastasize (or spread),” Bisoff told The Panther. “This directly translates into new types of detection and treatments.”

Fraunfelder shared her thoughts on why she and Mahoney decided to pick the Big Sur Marathon to participate in for the charity.

“I wanted to run the marathon because I wanted to prove to myself that I am capable of what I set my mind to, to prove to my body that I can accomplish more than I know and to prove others wrong,” Fraunfelder said. “Big Sur was the perfect place to accomplish this because we both love nature, and what better place to run than a nature-based course?”

Mahoney discussed what it was like to fundraise and raise money in the Chapman community.

“Fundraising was definitely a struggle, but I found writing letters to loved ones was very helpful,” Mahoney to The Panther. “I am grateful to have a supportive community who donated to the cause and to support us and running with Gracie-Anne was such an incredible experience.” 
Both students surpassed their goals of raising $1,200 each on both of their fundraising websites, and together, they met their goal and raised over $2,400 to donate to the LUNGevity Foundation.