Highlights from Rock the Row 2023

Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023

One of the most motivational aspects of the Survivor Fitness community is the way our partners and advocates rally together to support participants in their recovery journey. For the past decade, we’ve been amazed by the various ways people have donated their time and money (and in some cases, sweat) to sponsor scholarships for participants.

Rock the Row has become one of our cornerstone events. Former participants, trainers, board members, and advocates for Survivor Fitness all come together in teams to compete in a relay-style rowing competition. Leading up to the event, participants raise funds to help their team reach their goal to support Survivor Fitness participants. 

Highlights from Rock the Row Knoxville

Last month, we hosted our inaugural Rock the Row Knoxville at Performance Training, Inc.  Participants showed up early to begin the 20,000 and 30,000-meter competition. Here are a few highlights from the 2023 Rock the Row in Knoxville:

  • We had 13 teams (nearly 130 people) attend this event. 
  • Collectively, the teams rowed more than 260,000 meters! 
  • Rock the Row Knoxville blew its fundraising goal out of the water, raising more than $34,000 during this year’s event. 

Our hosts, Performance Training Inc., took first place in this year’s competition, and it was a blast watching each of the teams give it their all. 

Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023
Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023
Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023
Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023
Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023
Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023
Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Knoxville 2023

Highlights from Rock the Row Nashville 

The event in Knoxville was hard to top, but participants in Rock the Row Nashville definitely gave them a “row” for their money. Here are a few of the highlights from the 2023 Rock the Row in Nashville:

  • There were 7 teams (70 people) in attendance. 
  • Each team rowed a full marathon (a little over 42,000 meters). 
  • CrossFit Freeflow took first place at Nashville’s Rock the Row as well, completing in 2 hours and 17 minutes. 
  • The generosity from our Nashville community was terrific, with teams raising nearly $50,000 through the event. 

Here are a few favorite moments from our Nashville community rowing it out for Survivor Fitness participants: 

Rock the Row Fundraising Event participants pose for photo in Nashville
participants of Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event in Nashville
people watching happy woman rowing at Rock the Row Nashville
man using rowing machine at Rock the Row Nashville
people watching woman rowing at Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event
6 Rock the Row participants stand together for photo
3 women participants posing at Rock the Row Survivor Fitness Fundraising Event

Join us at Rock the Row in Chattanooga

Want to participate in our next Rock the Row event this year?  There’s still time to sign up for our next event in Chattanooga—where you and nine of your friends will go head-to-head to see who can row the fastest and raise the most, all to benefit cancer survivors in these communities! To learn more additional details or to register, please click here.

You can also stay updated on future Survivor Fitness events by signing up for our newsletter.

Celebrating Brooke Hartman: The 2022 Knoxville Survivor Soirée Honoree

For the past four years, the Survivor Fitness Foundation has hosted The Survivor Soirée to honor participants and raise money to support cancer survivors who are unable to afford the help they need to regain their health and quality of life. Inevitably, one of the most memorable and moving moments is when we get to recognize our annual Survivor Fitness Honorees. This year, we had the opportunity to celebrate Brooke Hartman as one of our Knoxville-area honorees.

Here is a powerful glimpse into Brooke’s battle with cancer and her journey toward health.

“I Had No Idea How Our World Would Be Turned Upside Down…”

Brooke was diagnosed in April 2020 with a form of breast cancer known as invasive ductile carcinoma. Reflecting on her experience, Brooke will never forget the day the surgeon also informed her that the diagnosis was triple negative. Not only is it one of the worst types of tumors, but it also is a more aggressive form of cancer that does not have a targeted treatment plan.  

But navigating treatment was only part of the challenge that made cancer difficult. Brooke is also a wife and mother.

“I realized the lump I discovered was not a good thing, but I had no idea how our world was going to be turned upside down,” Brooke explained. “There isn’t a specific way to target the triple negative form of cancer, so you kind of have to throw the kitchen sink at it.”

Brooke immediately began an aggressive treatment plan that included IV chemotherapy infusions, a double mastectomy, 30 radiation treatments, 12 months of immunotherapy, and six months of chemotherapy medication. 

Cancer, along with the treatment, took a tremendous toll on her body. Six months into treatment, Brooke began trying simple exercises to get back to normal. That’s when a sobering reality set in.  

“I remember trying to do a push-up, and I realized I couldn’t do it,” Brooke said. “It was like everything came crashing down at that moment, and I realized what cancer treatment had done. I can’t explain the hope I got when I learned that I could be part of a program that could help me rebuild.” 

“Treatment is Over… But Cancer is Not.” 

After her long, difficult treatment regimen was completed, Brooke began adjusting to life after treatment, which can be an extremely difficult experience for cancer survivors.

“There’s a reality that when treatment is over… cancer is not,” Brooke said. “Treatment is complete, but it’s sort of like hearing, ‘Congratulations! That part is over. Here’s what you have left.’” 

In July of 2021, Brooke joined Survivor Fitness and began working with Survivor Fitness trainer Carissa Mahoney. Together, they developed an intentional training plan based on the treatment Brooke received and the health goals she wanted to achieve. 

Four months later, Brooke achieved something she never thought possible after treatment: hiking to the top of Mount LeConte. While the hike was difficult, Brooke was able to ground herself in the reality of where she was and how far she’d come. 

“At one point on the hike…I just stood there and cried,“ Brooke said. “I never knew if I was ever going to be able to do something like this. I got to summit LeConte, and I will always be grateful for that, but I got so much more.” 

Brooke attributes her ability to achieve something like hiking Mt. LeConte to the physical, mental, and emotional she receives through Survivor Fitness. The training and encouragement have made a tremendous impact on her ability to engage with life in ways she couldn’t envision after treatment.

“I cannot imagine post-treatment without Survivor Fitness,” Brooke stated. “I believe that folks need to know that cancer isn’t the end of the story. The story continues. We get to live that out.”

Join the Survivor Fitness Community

Brooke’s passion for life and her family inspire us all in the Survivor Fitness community. It’s such an honor to walk with her during this phase of her journey. If Brooke’s story resonates with you, you can also check out the experience of other Survivor Fitness participants here on our blog.

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, connect with us today to learn more about becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant. You can also donate to the Survivor Fitness Foundation to provide scholarships to those in need of support.

Celebrating Maheen: The 2022 Nashville Survivor Soirée Honoree

Last month, we hosted our third annual Survivor Soirée in Nashville, TN. This was a special opportunity to recognize people who are making an impact in the Survivor Fitness community and also raise support for cancer survivors to continue their journey of healing through our mission. One of our favorite highlights from the event is getting to honor a Survivor Fitness participant who embodies the values of our community.  

This year’s honoree was Maheen. Here’s a brief look at her story and why we were honored to recognize her at this year’s event. 

An Unexpected, Life-Altering Diagnosis

Maheen is a driven and compassionate woman who was just about to start her career in medicine when she received news that would change her life. After finishing her post-doctoral residency training program, Maheen was ready to start her career when she recognized a lump along her chest wall one morning. She immediately knew something was wrong. 

“I remember sitting on my bedroom floor and crying as we received the phone call,” Maheen said. “It was like everything went black at that moment, and I didn’t understand what I was being told.”

Maheen was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of breast cancer. This required a comprehensive and difficult approach to treatment. 

“I was very scared and nervous. Some studies show that only 35-40% of people with this diagnosis get a good response from treatment. I didn’t know what was going to happen or where I would go,” she explained. 

Maheen’s cancer journey included numerous ups, downs, and unexpected turns. A few weeks after her double mastectomy, Maheen learned that she had a pulmonary embolism. A couple of months after starting treatment for that, doctors found a large mass in her heart  This led to unexpected open-heart surgery. 

“I just remember there being a lot of hopeless days and nights, not knowing what was next,” she recalled.   

“Regaining Control and Feeling Like Myself Again”

After completing treatment, Maheen immediately noticed a change in her body. Because of chemotherapy, corticosteroids, and multiple surgeries, Maheen lost a significant amount of physical strength.

“I wasn’t able to work or even do simple day-to-day tasks that were easy before my diagnosis. I didn’t feel like myself after treatment,” she said.  

That’s when she learned about Survivor Fitness from Julie Bulger, who works at the Patient and Family Care Center at Vanderbilt’s Ingram Cancer Center.

“Cancer had taken a lot away from me, and I recognized that Survivor Fitness was one way I could do something for myself. I finally had a way to take back control where I could,” she said.

Maheen was connected with her Survivor Fitness trainer J.J. Fish, and the two began working together on a personalized plan that would help Maheen regain her strength and vitality. While losing the weight she gained during treatment was an area of focus, Maheen recognized that it was ultimately a byproduct of getting strong and healthy.

“I’m just extremely thankful to be able to work with a trainer like J.J.,” she said. “I’ve been able to lose over 45 pounds. But more than that — I’ve regained my confidence, improved my sleep, and I feel like myself again, mentally and physically.”

Maheen’s commitment to recovering her vitality and strength is inspiring to our community at Survivor Fitness. At one point in her recovery, Maheen had to stop training to recover after another surgery. She maintained a commitment to getting back to training as quickly as she could. 

“Survivor Fitness has given me so many things I never imagined I’d be able to regain,” she said. ”I feel so much stronger mentally and physically. I feel like I’ve been able to regain control over my life.” 

Join the Survivor Fitness Community

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, connect with us today to learn more.

Board Member Spotlight: Rhett Lankford

The journey after cancer involves hard work and dedication. It also requires connection and care from others. These are the values that help cancer survivors navigate the new challenges they face after treatment. 

While he hasn’t experienced a personal cancer diagnosis, Rhett Lankford embodies the values of connection and care that led him to become a Survivor Fitness board member. 

Rhett’s closest experience with cancer came when his dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. After a year of treatment, Rhett’s father entered remission, but the physical toll is still making an impact three years later. 

“After treatment, my dad didn’t have a lot of energy. He couldn’t be as active as he was before the diagnosis which caused him to put on some extra weight and created other health issues. Thankfully, he was able to overcome those and is more disciplined about taking care of his body,” Rhett said.  

Shortly after his dad’s diagnosis, Rhett was introduced to Survivor Fitness. His wife, Joanna, was a childhood friend of Survivor Fitness co-founder, Meg Grunke. Joanna and Meg reconnected when they both moved back to Knoxville, and the two families became close friends. 

When Rhett pitched the idea of sponsoring and supporting Survivor Fitness to his employer, FirstBank, the leadership was immediately supportive. 

“It’s not hard for people to see the value of what Survivor Fitness does,” he explained. “Whenever I walk someone through the program and how it works, it doesn’t take more than five minutes for most people to want to find a way to help.” 

Rhett’s passion for the mission, dedication, and willingness to be open to new opportunities aligned earlier this year when he joined the Survivor Fitness board.  

“It was kind of a God thing. My wife and I were talking about how beneficial it would be for me to find activities to pursue outside of work, family, and exercise. Not long after that conversation, Aaron asked me to serve on the board,” he said.  

Rhett’s hardworking demeanor and connections across the state make him a valuable addition to the board. As a member of the growth committee, Rhett is actively working on connecting friends and family members in the Chattanooga area with Survivor Fitness as the organization looks to expand its mission into new areas. 

“I don’t have a cancer survivor’s perspective. But I am excited about helping to spread the word about Survivor Fitness as much as I possibly can.”

Rhett is excited about the opportunity to use his natural skills and business acumen to consider a scalable process that can be replicated to support more cancer survivors across Tennessee and beyond.

“Unfortunately, cancer isn’t going anywhere. But you recognize the power of having a path forward after hearing stories of Survivor Fitness participants. I believe the more that people know about Survivor Fitness, the more lives it can change. That is an exciting challenge to be part of.”

Rhett’s passion and community-oriented spirit are summed up perfectly in the way he describes Survivor Fitness to those who are entering the next phase after treatment.

“Survivor Fitness gives you a path forward without having to take the journey alone. You’re partnering with people who’ve walked the same journey alongside you.”

Rhett Lankford lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife, Joanna, and their children, William and Bennett. He works as a Financial Advisor and Vice President of FirstBank Investment Partners and serves on the Survivor Fitness board.

Leadership Spotlight: Meg Grunke

The first time Meg Grunke encountered the harsh reality of cancer face to face was also the moment she met the love of her life. 

Fresh out of college and adjusting to her new life in Nashville, Meg attended a social event where a mutual friend introduced her to Aaron, who is now her husband and a loving father to their twins, James and Anna.

“When you think of spouses that have faced cancer together, you often assume they were together from diagnosis to remission,” said Meg. “I didn’t know Aaron when he was going through treatment. I met him during the aftermath, if you will, before he really started getting back control of his mental and physical health.”

As their relationship grew, Meg learned about Aaron’s life-altering cancer journey that started just a few years before they entered each other’s lives. 

For the future Mrs. Grunke, listening carefully was essential to bonding over an experience that she didn’t share with Aaron in person.

“When we were dating and he was explaining his journey to me, I had him repeat everything over and over because I wanted to know everything that happened in detail,” Meg explained. 

Just four years earlier, at the age of 21, Aaron had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer that required three surgeries and seven rounds of aggressive chemotherapy. 

“He was the closest person to me who had gone through cancer, and knowing what that experience was like—the ups and downs and back and forth between treatment and monitoring—meant genuinely getting to know the man I love,” she added.

By the time they had met, Aaron had already spent three years fighting for his life—the kind of physical, emotional, and spiritual battle that comes at a cost for survivors and those closest to them.

Shortly after they married in 2010, Aaron began the second part of his cancer journey—one to reclaim his physical wellness, restore his mental well-being, and reclaim what he had lost to the disease and its treatment.

“What I had the privilege of witnessing was the evolution and transition between where he was struggling with life after treatment and getting back the control he had lost,” said Meg. “Seeing that transition in him and watching him rediscover this piece of the puzzle that was missing for so long was really powerful.”

Fitness was just one of the interests that Meg and Aaron had in common. So, when Aaron proposed Survivor Fitness as part of a business school project, she quickly saw its potential to help others recovering from cancer.

“Aaron’s the ‘wow’ guy, but I’m the ‘how’ person,” Meg remarked jokingly. “One day, he came home and told me he had filed the paperwork to start Survivor Fitness. That’s when I realized that we were actually going to do this together.”

Today, Survivor Fitness operates across Tennessee to connect cancer survivors with customized, one-on-one fitness training and nutritional counseling to regain strength, stamina, and independence.

As its executive director, Meg  Grunke plays a major role in shaping the board of directors at Survivor Fitness by recruiting leaders who can help the nonprofit grow in size and increase its reach.

“We’ve been very blessed by the people who have entered our lives and have teamed up with Survivor Fitness,” said Meg. “Cancer is something that touches everybody in some form or fashion. Unfortunately, that means you don’t have to look too far to find someone who has fought cancer themselves or who has a loved one who has faced it.”

Reflective of her own leadership style, the foundation of her recruitment strategy is elegantly simple and straightforward.

“Board members need a passion for changing people’s lives,” she explained. “And they need to be able to share in a bigger vision to help as many survivors as possible. Together, we’re filling a need that isn’t unique to Tennessee. It’s a need all across the country, anywhere you go.”

While that growth happens, Meg looks to the survivors in her life, both at home and through Survivor Fitness, for inspiration to continue leading with confidence.

“Every time I get an email, or a text, or a phone call from a participant who wants to share their progress is a special moment for me,” said Meg. “For some, that means just getting to play with their children again, or opening up a jar of peanut butter on their own, or being able to be left at home without worry of falling and injury.”

“Each story is a reminder of how something so seemingly simple as moving your body—and having someone walk beside you—can make such a difference.”

Meg Grunke lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband Aaron and their children James and Anna. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and serves as Executive Director of Survivor Fitness Foundation.

Board Member Spotlight: Nick Galbraith

Leading a nonprofit organization like Survivor Fitness requires passion, commitment, and discernment. On the one hand, there’s an exciting opportunity to impact thousands of lives through your work and mission. On the other hand, there are hundreds of operational details to consider and wisdom that’s needed to grow in a healthy way.

As a board member for Survivor Fitness, Nick Galbraith brings a unique combination of zeal and business acumen to help more people recover after cancer through Survivor Fitness’ unique approach to fitness, nutrition, and support. 

“From my experience, there are not a lot of helpful accessible resources to help cancer survivors recover physically after treatment,” Nick highlighted. “Many people don’t know where to turn or what to do. I’ve always been impressed by the way Survivor Fitness was designed to help guide them and help people get healthy again.”

Nick and his wife were first introduced to Survivor Fitness in 2018 after being invited to the Survivor Fitness Soiree, an annual fundraiser supporting the foundation’s scholarship-based work across Tennessee. That initial encounter inspired Nick and his wife to stay connected to the organization and support the cause in various ways. 

Today, Nick is using his experience as a business owner to find ways for Survivor Fitness to impact more lives in years to come. As a member of the marketing committee, Nick is excited about helping more cancer survivors discover the life-changing experience of being part of the Survivor Fitness community. 

“Cancer is a disease that touches everyone in some way, shape, or form,” Nick mentioned. This is a statement he knows from personal experience, losing his grandfather, his wife’s aunt, and a best friend from high school to cancer. Through each of these experiences, Nick recognized how beneficial it can be to support patients during the journey.   

“The main thing I’m passionate about is getting the word out to help as many survivors recover their strength and health,” Nick expressed. “I believe Survivor Fitness meets a massive need for patients after treatment or in remission and that really excites me.” 

Being a first-year board member has given Nick the chance to learn more about the organization and everything that goes into supporting patients across the state. This has also sparked some creative ideas as the leadership at Survivor Fitness explores ways to help more survivors.  

“We’re looking at growing the in-person trainer gym network and our virtual support for participants. We don’t want to be constrained by boundaries and access to gyms. We’re exploring some really innovative ways to support patients virtually as they are looking for ways to regain strength and vitality.”

Nick Galbraith is the President and Founder of Foundations Mortgage Company in Knoxville, Tennessee. A New York native, he’s called Tennessee home since 2003. He has a wife and two little boys. Click here for a complete list of Survivor Fitness board members.

Participant Spotlight: Hillorie McLarty

Every cancer survivor knows that the fight to stay healthy doesn’t end after treatment. In many ways, life after treatment comes with a new set of obstacles and challenges that can affect health, wellness, and emotional well-being. Survivor Hillorie McLarty wanted to face all of those challenges head-on. 

Addressing New Health Challenges as a Cancer Survivor

Hillorie recently reached her 10th anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. Like many survivors, she’s also faced other health challenges over the past decade. In the wake of cancer, Hillorie has had to navigate bursitis, thyroid issues, pre-diabetes, and a hiatal hernia.

Taking the First Step with Survivor Fitness

The good news for Hillorie was that many of her issues could be alleviated or managed through activity and fitness. That’s what led her to become a Survivor Fitness participant.

Hillorie first heard about Survivor Fitness from her oncologist. After learning more about the program, she decided to take the first step by picking up the phone.

“Making the call was probably the hardest part,” Hillorie explained.

Hillorie connected with David Rodgers, a personal trainer at A|Train Fitness, one of Survivor’s affiliate locations. Together, they worked to develop a plan to help Hillorie with her specific health challenges.

“David took time to truly understand my physical challenges and showed me how to regain some strength,” said Hillorie. “Although I’m still suffering from bursitis, I have been given the tools to attain a more active lifestyle.”

Several months into the program, Hillorie has experienced a notable difference. She’s feeling stronger and more confident. She’s also feeling more hopeful about her ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle for years to come.

Building Physical and Emotional Strength

Hillorie is an inspiration to our Survivor Fitness community. Her willingness to take the first step to address other health-related challenges has encouraged others to navigate life after cancer. Survivor Fitness has been influential in helping Hillorie regain her strength.

“Survivor Fitness is a program created for those of us lucky enough to survive cancer,” Hillorie expressed. “Participating in the program is a gift not to be treated lightly.”

Through Survivor Fitness, Hillorie has developed a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no matter how difficult. And to those going through a similar journey, she adds, “Never forget you are a survivor.”

Interested in Becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant?

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain health and wellness after cancer, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.

Board Member Spotlight: Courtney Snodgrass

For patients and caregivers, the cancer journey can often feel like a daunting voyage into unfamiliar terrain. Beyond the disease itself, complex medical decisions, insurance claims, and personal finances become roadblocks on the path to wellness.

As a communications professional in radiation oncology, Courtney Snodgrass helps lead her patients, many of whom belong to vulnerable populations in underserved communities, through the complexities of cancer treatment and medical billing.

“I’m very passionate about cancer, healthcare, and treating the whole patient, which includes relieving their financial anxieties,” said Courtney, a native of Nashville, Tennessee.

“Our patients trust us during a hard time in their lives,” Courtney explained. “We don’t send patients to collections. We always answer the phone so patients don’t have to deal with an automated system. And we do whatever we can to make the billing process as simple as possible.”

In her career, she’s driven to turn patients into survivors through compassionate care – the same motivation that has led her to serve on the Survivor Fitness Foundation board of directors.

In 2018, a Survivor Fitness trainer at Courtney’s local gym introduced her to Meg Grunke, the non-profit’s executive director.

“We were looking as a company to support organizations that work with local cancer patients and fit our mission to serve the whole patient,” said Courtney. “We are big on health and fitness as a company and have a lot of initiatives to encourage people to take care of themselves.” 

For the past four years, Courtney’s company has matched Giving Tuesday contributions to Survivor Fitness, a scholarship-based program providing cancer survivors with one-on-one fitness training and nutritional counseling in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

“I love their mission,” said Courtney. “I’m big into fitness myself. Seeing how it’s helped me personally with my mental and physical health, it’s inspiring to know they’re helping a lot of people who might otherwise not have that service – especially where they live.”

Courtney knows what it means to have access to essential services that are local and convenient. Her company recently expanded to operate its own radiology clinics in rural Alaska, Oklahoma, and Oregon with a mission to reach patients with limited treatment options.

Similarly, she knows the importance of having a local resource like Survivor Fitness to bridge the gap between remission and wellness.

“A lot of studies show that getting help and getting treatment close to home helps in recovery because you’re around your friends and family,” explained Courtney, who envisions Survivor Fitness eventually expanding nationwide.

“I think Survivor Fitness will eventually increase its offerings to patients in more places while still staying true to its mission, one patient and partnership at a time,” she said.

As a proud Survivor Fitness board member, Courtney is pioneering a simpler, safer route to good health for cancer patients everywhere.

Courtney Snodgrass, MSDM is Manager of Marketing and Communications at Radiation Business Solutions in Nashville, Tennessee. Click here for a complete list of Survivor Fitness board members.

Board Member Spotlight: Erik Morrison

In 1910, a young woman in Washington created a special holiday to celebrate her father, a single parent who made tremendous sacrifices to raise six children. Today, families everywhere celebrate Father’s Day by reflecting on the special bond between dads of all types and the kids who love them.

For Erik Morrison and his wife, Lindsey, the third Sunday in June is more than an occasion for sentimental greeting cards or breakfast in bed. Each June, they reflect on the anniversary of their family’s cancer journey.

“This time of year really hits home,” said Erik. “June 13th marked three years since Caroline’s diagnosis, and I can remember every little detail about her cancer journey since then.”

In 2019, when she was just two years old, Caroline began exhibiting posture and balance issues after returning home from a family vacation to Disney World.

“She was late to walk and probably didn’t start until about 16 months, so I didn’t really think much about it at that point,” explained Erik. “A few months later, I came home from a trip and really noticed that she had become weaker and had a hard time getting up from the floor.”

Initially, Caroline was checked for multiple sclerosis. When her results came back negative, a follow-up MRI was scheduled as a precaution. Erik remembers every detail of the day Caroline received her diagnosis and each milestone that followed, memories enhanced by the overwhelming trauma of her illness.

“It was a Thursday morning, and I had just landed in Denver for a work trip,” he recalled. “I’ll never forget the rush of texts and voicemails from Lindsey when I turned my phone back on. It’s just a feeling I’ll never forget.”

He clearly recalls the day Caroline received her port placement, the nine days she spent in the hospital with a fever, and the moment he learned that his little girl, who was still learning to explore the world around her, faced the possibility of never walking again.

Now a vibrant five-year-old, Caroline is doing much more than walking. With the love and support of her mom, dad, and her older siblings, she’s learning to thrive.

“She’s the life of every party, and she never meets a stranger,” said Erik proudly. “Anyone who meets her would tell you that she’ll bring a smile to your face every day.”

After her surgery, a family friend made a donation in Caroline’s name to Survivor Fitness, a scholarship-based program in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga that provides cancer survivors with one-on-one fitness training and nutritional counseling. 

“I firmly believe in what Meg and Aaron are doing,” said Erik. “Fitness is an important part of my life, and the service that Survivor Fitness provides is directly in line with my core values.”

Earlier this year, Erik accepted an appointment to the Survivor Fitness Foundation board of directors. As chair of its fundraising committee, he has his sights set on expanding the program nationwide.

“Anyone from Kingsport to Dyersburg who is fighting cancer should have access to this program, but it shouldn’t stop there,” said Erik. “There’s certainly a need for Survivor Fitness everywhere you can imagine, and we have the opportunity to really grow in the next five to ten years.”

Today, Caroline may recall a version of her cancer journey that’s very different from Erik’s experience.

“She vaguely remembers being sick in the hospital, but she clearly recalls eating a lot of Cheez-Its and watching Frozen on repeat,” he laughed.

Despite their own versions of the past, Erik’s grateful for the chance to spend future Father’s Days making new memories with the daughter he loves.

Erik Morrison is Vice President of lease Purchase at Western Express. Originally from Maryville, he currently resides in Nashville with his wife Lindsey, and their three children. Click here for a complete list of Survivor Fitness board members.

Participant Spotlight: Roberta Justice

After more than three decades as a cardiac and cath lab nurse, Roberta Justice decided it was time for a change of scenery and switched to oncology in 2018 – a career move she credits with saving her life.

Just four months after she began working at a chemotherapy infusion clinic in Chattanooga, Roberta was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an especially aggressive form of the disease that accounts for roughly 15-20% of all breast cancer cases.

“My patients taught me how important it is to take early action,” explained Roberta. “As soon as I felt like something was wrong, I called the doctor…even though I had just gotten a clean mammogram result.”

Just two weeks after a follow-up mammogram confirmed her diagnosis, Roberta began an intensive course of treatment that included two lumpectomies, 36 radiation treatments, and nine months of chemotherapy that ended in July 2019.

She chose to continue working full-time, which meant she was receiving infusions while helping provide the same treatment for her patients.

“It was interesting being a cancer patient while working with other cancer patients,” she said. “I was always open about it and let my patients know why I was there hooked up to an IV bag. They really became my biggest support group.”

On her first day of chemotherapy treatment, Roberta arrived to see her coworkers all wearing customized t-shirts that read “Justice League,” a play on her surname.

“Their support made such a difference,” Roberta said. “They wore them on treatment days, and patients would wear superhero shirts on those days, too.”

Few others have experienced cancer like Roberta, who has cared for and lost a spouse to cancer, treated cancer patients as a healthcare provider, and both fought and survived the disease herself.

“I’ve experienced cancer from nearly every perspective,” explained Roberta, who now serves as a patient educator in addition to her nursing duties.

“Being a patient educator is the best job I’ve ever had,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to share my story with our patients so they know what to expect and how to deal with it.”

The advice she offers most often is to fight the identity that cancer carries with it.

“You have to keep being you instead of letting the cancer become who you are,” said Roberta. “If you let it, it can consume you and become your identity. And that makes it harder to focus on moving forward.”

For Roberta, moving forward has meant joining Survivor Fitness in Chattanooga as its very first participant. In June, she began a 12-week program that combines one-on-one personalized fitness training and nutritional counseling to help her regain her strength and stamina.

Her ultimate goal is to resume her regular five-mile walks at a local greenway with her son Joseph, who regularly visits from his home in Atlanta.

“Telling him I had cancer was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Roberta. “But he became my greatest champion. We’ve become closer than ever. And he inspires me to press on.”

To become a Survivor Fitness participant in the Chattanooga area, click here to apply online.