Nominate Your Caregiver

Since 2012, RFA has featured a special annual award given on race day to one special caregiver.

We are currently accepting nominations for The Richard Firely, Sr. Caregiver of the Year award. To nominate your caregiver for this award, submit a 100 word essay to us by September 1st at information@runningforanswers.org. On race day, make sure that you're front and center with your caregiver at our awards ceremony post race and help us award this special honor.

Below, Mr. Firely's daughter, Susan, talks about how supportive her father, Richard, was in her desmoid journey.

"Richard Firely, Sr. was a father to 3 of us kids--my older brother Rich, me, and my younger brother Doug. He was a project manager for the federal government and had worked there for 38 years, and retired last July. In November 2011, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he passed away on April 27th. If there is any legacy he would have hoped to leave, it would be that he was a great father. And he was. Throughout my journey with desmoid tumors, he was my support and my cheerleader. He and my mom were at my bedside through every procedure and surgery. He used to send me treats and packages in the mail to lift my spirits during recovery.

My entire family came out for the 1st and 2nd Running for Answers. My dad was normally a very quiet guy, but both of those days he turned to me and said "What a great day. You're healthy and the whole family is here. I'll always remember today." The day he started chemo he sent me a text that read, "You have been an inspiration to me many times...this time included." Which may seem like simple words, but wow! He was going through a painful treatment yet still thought that I was the strong one.

My dad made me feel brave, and strong- like I could tackle this disease even through every setback. So that's why I think he is deserving of having this award named after him, and I am sure there are many other desmoid patients who are lucky enough to have wonderful caregivers in their lives as well." - Susan Firely Horan