Thread by @samanthabrez

The world lost someone incredible yesterday.
Here’s why you need to know about her.

A thread on being #BraveLikeGabe

As journalists, we dip in and out of people’s lives all the time. Countless interviews, meetings, phone calls -- fleeting moments in relation to the totality of someone’s life. But there was a young woman who has stayed with me long after we met. Her name was Gabriele Grunewald.

@gg_runs goes by Gabe for short. I first saw a photo of her in @sportsillustrated. A large, fishhook-shaped scar sliced across her abdomen. That’s what first got my attention, but it was the look on her face and the words by @SITimLayden, that kept it.

I read that Gabe, a pro runner with @brooks, had been battling cancer over & over again for years. Adenoid cystic carcinoma: that’s what doctors told her it was, over the phone, in 2009. An extremely rare salivary gland cancer, ACC is known for recurrence. There is no cure.

I was doing an episode of "Vital Signs" on @cnni with @drsanjaygupta about inspirational athletes overcoming great medical odds. Gabe was the perfect fit. In 2017, I reached out, and she graciously agreed to let us profile her story.

We first met in NYC that fall, while Gabe and her husband @JustinGrunewald (also a runner) were in town for an appointment at @sloan_kettering. Afterwards, they ran through Central Park. They looked so free out there, matching each other stride-for-stride.

Gabe often said running was a form of treatment for her. She would even run to some of her chemo appts. When my own mother was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, I watched the chemo eat away at her, & thought often about Gabe running to treatment; I couldn’t even imagine it.

And yet -- it also made complete sense. Putting the body through the harsh cycle of chemo is about getting the chance to live. And Gabe felt most alive while running.

In Dec 2017, @drsanjaygupta, our photog Harvey, and I flew to MN to meet Gabe and Justin at home. She recounted her story with such grace and poise. She was reflective but not resentful. She didn’t dwell on why she got this rare disease, but rather what she would do with it.

And Gabe chose to share her story with the world, to raise awareness – and funds, through her foundation @bravelikegabe – in the hopes that someday, ACC would no longer have to be a death sentence.
cnn.com/2018/03/14/hea…

She left a mark on me; she had that effect on people. A chance meeting in Central Park with none other than @chipgaines inspired Chip so much, he began training for a marathon with Gabe as his coach. The Silo District Marathon was born, with proceeds going to @bravelikegabe.

I convinced my friend @sealyCNN to go with me, and we went to Waco for the inaugural race last year. People came from all over the world. Gabe was there with a huge smile. She ran the 5k, while Justin ran the marathon. That weekend, they raised $250,000 for @bravelikegabe.

It’s not easy to share so publicly, especially when you’re hurting, and scared, but Gabe and Justin never shied away. Who else would fight for rare cancer, if not her? No one’s giving out ribbons for ACC. Few people have even heard of it. Gabe would change that.

I keep thinking, too, that Gabe and I are the same age. It just as easily could have been me or any one of you. But Gabe and Justin say she was chosen for a reason. #bravelikegabe isn’t just a catch-phrase but truly a way of life.

Last night, Justin shared the tragic news that Gabe passed away, just shy of her 33rd birthday. The last few weeks had been rough, though she continued to defy the odds even up to the very end.

Humanity lost a selfless, passionate, courageous person. Her family lost a sister, daughter, & friend. Justin lost his wife. But we won’t forget her. One day, there will be a cure for ACC, thanks to advancements in medicine & hard work by doctors, & also thanks to Gabe.

For everyone kindly asking how to contribute to rare cancer research in Gabe’s memory, check out her foundation page: @bravelikegabe
cc @brooksrunning @usatf #bravelikegabe