Lucy covers the 13-mile course of the Bupa North Run

It’s amazing how one story can go so far in inspiring people across continents, across generations, and across personal beliefs. This is the story of Al Rodriguez; this is the story of ADRLF; and this is the story of Lucy.

“I only have one goal: to raise as much money as I can to help as many people as I can,” shares 22-year old Lucy Girdlestone, who over the last months, has single-handedly braved distances in her hometown in north-east England to raise money for ADRLF and cancer research.

Who’s Lucy and what has she got to do with ADRLF? Admittedly a ‘fan girl,’ as what she call herself, Lucy is proof to the boundless power of passion – from her passion for Al’s inspiring story, to her passion for Sara Ramirez, to her passion for music and Glee, to her passion for taking on challenges for a worthy cause.

With the prevalence of cancer as among the world’s most fatal culprits, Lucy is like many of us who has lost a loved one to cancer. But Lucy takes this loss as a jump off point to launch activities that may help support the cause of ADRLF.
Last June, Lucy set off on a “bike ride for Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation,” traversing about eight miles from her home in South Shields to the City of Sunderland. Enduring heat and fatigue, she completed the journey for one hour and twenty-five minutes, and raised over £100 for ADRLF.

Recently, Lucy dared yet another adventure for causes close to her heart. Along with her brother, she joined the Bupa Great North Run on September and coursed through thirteen miles.

Lucy may not exactly be fit for such a strenuous task but she raced on. Deeply inspired by Rosie, her brother’s friend who died of cancer at 22, by her Auntie Hazel who died at 16, and by the memory of Al, Lucy ran in the rain with painful blisters forming on her feet.

“This was for all those people who battled and have won, and for those still battling,” she thought to herself. “All these reasons would get me to the finish, no matter what.”

And sure enough, Lucy conquered the course in three hours and twenty-five minutes, her family and loved ones proudly waiting for her at the finish line.

It’s amazing how Al’s story gave birth to ADRLF, inspiring a multitude of bold and generous souls like Lucy to create an inspiring story of their own. As Lucy plans for her next fund-raising activity, she hopes one day to come to the United States and personally hand ADRLF her hard-earned donation.

This is Lucy’s story, but this could also be yours.

-Toni Bacala