Jessica Nazabal

Why I am Going the Distance: For Emma

I kicked off my EMF Distance Challenge journey with a personal and heartfelt clip of myself and my two kids walking on our school’s track. After running a couple of laps I decided to record my intro and asked my walking partners to join. As I began to explain, I realized we needed another lap and a discussion to further the understanding. 

They asked: “Cancer? Mama, like how Emma has cancer?”

I stopped and said “Yes, this is about cancer.”  My friends' daughter, Emma, is currently battling leukemia. She is a strong, vibrant young girl whom my kids have come to laugh with at birthday parties, play tag and swim with, dress up and play games. 

Explaining “the what,” “the how,” and especially “the why” to your kids - why someone so young, so full of life, could be facing something so heavy - has been a challenge in itself. On top of that, I have been watching my friend fight through this battle as a mother. Knowing her, she would give anything to trade places with her daughter. 

That’s why I signed up for the Expect Miracles Foundation’s Distance Challenge and it’s why I asked my kids to join me. This isn’t just about walking 20 miles over the course of a week. It’s about honoring Emma. It’s about channeling the worry, love, and helplessness we feel into action. It’s about showing my children what it means to stand up and show up for others.

EMF is a foundation that’s doing incredible work, directing every single dollar raised to groundbreaking cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering, while also providing financial support to young adult cancer survivors. With sponsors covering overhead costs, 100% of your donation goes directly to the cause.

I’ve set a goal to raise $500, and I’m halfway there.

If you’re able, please consider supporting my campaign:
👉 Donate here

I believe in the power of both grassroots and large-scale support. We teach our kids to be kind, to help a neighbor, to cheer their friends on and I think it’s just as important to show them what service looks like on a bigger scale, too. Last fall, we walked together for breast cancer awareness. This spring, we’re walking for Emma. For all the families fighting. For hope. For miracles.

Thank you for walking beside us—even from afar.