The Murph Challenge Day 23: Shannon Brown Cruz
Day 23 of 31 is dedicated to Shannon Brown Cruz. I know the Cruz family from my days as the Fitness Director of The Centre in New Richmond. Shannon and her husband Freddy used to take regular classes with me. Not only are they fantastic people and parents, they have an incredible love and marriage that inspires anyone that knows them.
In December of last year, Shannon was having some pain in her abdomen and they found she had a tumor that was partially blocking and needed to undergo surgery to remove it. In the meantime, they did a biopsy and it came back as cancerous. She underwent surgery a week later and they found that she had cancer in 10 out of the 17 lymph nodes. The diagnosis: Stage 3 colon cancer. Shannon was put through 12 strenuous rounds of chemotherapy and finished the last and final day yesterday.
“It’s been a very long 6 months full of so many emotions and anxiety, but it has totally changed both Freddy and I. We have always been close, but it has drawn us even closer and we have drawn so close to God and our relationship with Him is the strongest it’s ever been. I don’t know how people go through something like this and they don’t have God in their life! He is first in our lives now. I have so much hope and faith that God has healed me and I won’t need to go through this again,”
– Shannon.
I’m always inspired by people that find good that can come from a life changing battle. In Shannon’s case, that stronger relationship with her husband and God is something that is a great reminder of the importance of leaning in on our most important relationships when we face adversity. She showed that when you are fighting a battle in life, you can strengthen the connections that matter the most.
Every Day We Fight is honored to dedicate today’s Murph Challenge to my friend and fighter, Shannon Brown Cruz. Thank you for being such a bright light and inspiration to those around you.
Day 23 Murph Time: 29:18
When I did the Murph Challenge for the first time I became hooked. Not because it was fun but because it was painful, challenging, and meaningful.
These 31 challenges are a dedication to a fighter, a warrior, a person battling that’s an everyday hero.
– Tate Wheeler
“The Murph Challenge is more than just a workout. It is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and allows us the opportunity to dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor, LT. Michael P. Murphy, a man who sacrificed everything he had for our freedom.”
-Murph Website