We are only a month away from Tri for a Cure, the triathlon were survivors and supporters will race to raise awareness and money for cancer research. For Liana Zolner, a recent breast cancer survivor, this will be her very first Tri. “I was in a really dark place when I first got diagnosed, it hit me like a ton of bricks,” Liana Zolner told WMTM.Zolner was diagnosed with stage 1B breast cancer in December of 2020. She says the first people that came to mind after her diagnosis were her 3-year-old daughter and 15-month-old son. “I was determined to do whatever I could to get through it for them,” Zolner said.She says it takes a family to raise a village and her family and friends pitched in to help her through the difficult time. “I am so lucky to have the best friends and family, meal drop offs, housecleaning the whole thing. I am extremely lucky I could not have done it by myself,” Zolner.Even members of the breast cancer community checked on her progress. “One of my survivor, we call them breasties or besties said, ‘I promise you you won’t wake up and feel this way everyday,’ and I don’t. I actually feel better,” Zolner said. “That’s the big thing I want for anyone that gets diagnosed is a year from now I promise their life will be different. It won’t feel how it feels now.”Zolner says she feels as if she has been given a second chance. In her first year in survivorship, she will participate in her first Tri for a Cure. Right now, she is focused on training for the swim, bike and run. Zolner says she wants to show her children, including her daughter, what strength, determination and resilience looks like. “I know she’s going to be there with the sign and she knows she’s like ‘oh are you training today mom? Are you training today,’” Zolner said.Zolner is currently one of the highest fundraisers for the event, sitting in the fourth spot and nearly reaching her goal of $10,000. All of the money raised goes back to Mainers for cancer awareness and research. “I truly hope that someone sees me and says okay I can do it too,” Zolner said. “We’re survivors a lot longer than we’re cancer patients.” To donate to Tri for a Cure, click here.
We are only a month away from Tri for a Cure, the triathlon were survivors and supporters will race to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
For Liana Zolner, a recent breast cancer survivor, this will be her very first Tri.
“I was in a really dark place when I first got diagnosed, it hit me like a ton of bricks,” Liana Zolner told WMTM.
Zolner was diagnosed with stage 1B breast cancer in December of 2020. She says the first people that came to mind after her diagnosis were her 3-year-old daughter and 15-month-old son.
“I was determined to do whatever I could to get through it for them,” Zolner said.
She says it takes a family to raise a village and her family and friends pitched in to help her through the difficult time.
“I am so lucky to have the best friends and family, meal drop offs, housecleaning the whole thing. I am extremely lucky I could not have done it by myself,” Zolner.
Even members of the breast cancer community checked on her progress.
“One of my survivor, we call them breasties or besties said, ‘I promise you you won’t wake up and feel this way everyday,’ and I don’t. I actually feel better,” Zolner said. “That’s the big thing I want for anyone that gets diagnosed is a year from now I promise their life will be different. It won’t feel how it feels now.”
Zolner says she feels as if she has been given a second chance. In her first year in survivorship, she will participate in her first Tri for a Cure.
Right now, she is focused on training for the swim, bike and run. Zolner says she wants to show her children, including her daughter, what strength, determination and resilience looks like.
“I know she’s going to be there with the sign and she knows she’s like ‘oh are you training today mom? Are you training today,’” Zolner said.
Zolner is currently one of the highest fundraisers for the event, sitting in the fourth spot and nearly reaching her goal of $10,000.
All of the money raised goes back to Mainers for cancer awareness and research.
“I truly hope that someone sees me and says okay I can do it too,” Zolner said. “We’re survivors a lot longer than we’re cancer patients.”
To donate to Tri for a Cure, click here.
