Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Nicole's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

I am an adult onset runner and have only been running for 8 years. I have overcome self esteem issues that have been with me since I was a teenager, I have grown my personal relationships with my family (my father is now a 5k walker) and I have grown my community by joining local running clubs in my area and encouraging others to do the same. I also turned to running to overcome a divorce and sedentary lifestyle in favor of fun, exercise and a little competition.  It has made me a better human and I am hoping to reach out to others to do the same. Let's all be better to each other!

WHY I SUPPORT BLESSONS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN

I support and defend the rights of all women to be treated equally and be given the opportunities to be better for themselves, their families and their community. By supporting educational scholarships for women who are disadvantaged, low-income and have suffered from cancer, mental illness, physical or emotional abuse, or who are immigrant blessons is making a positive change in the futures of all people.

My Races

Houston Chevron Marathon
January 15, 2017

Destin Ultra Marathon 50 Miles
February, 2017

50 Mile Race
November 2017

Snowdrop Ultra 55 Hour Race & Relay

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Angel's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

Running reminds me that anything is possible if i put in the time. It's my therapy, my freedom, my mantra & my joy.

WHY I SUPPORT BLESSONS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN

Education is empowering & these scholarships make a difference in a women's life. All women need to love & support it each other. Blessons is a perfect way to support our fellow sisters.

My Races

Ragnar - Madison to Chicago
June 9, 2017

Leadville Trail Marathon
June 17, 2017

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
October 8, 2017

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Lisa's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

I run because in March 2013 I suffered a stroke & I am determined NOT to let anything stop me.

WHY I SUPPORT BLESSONS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN

I support Blessons Scholarships because I feel that it is a GREAT message, I know what it is like to have so many obstacles from reaching the goal that you want to achieve.

My Races

Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon, Arizona
January 13, 2017

Soldier Field 10 Miler, Chicago
May 17, 2017

Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon, Chicago
July 16, 2017

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Heidi's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Race

I’m not an inherently athletic or fast person, so I started running due to good old fashioned sibling rivalry. My sister had just completed the Columbus half marathon, so I decided I would do the Chicago full marathon the following year. Despite not having run since gym class in middle school, I went for it and ended up loving to run. During marathon training, I discovered triathlons, specifically Ironman triathlons, after spectating Ironman Texas 2015 for my boyfriend. I became very interested in the Chicago Olympic Triathlon, and completed my first triathlon and marathon in the same year. The people I’ve met along the way are amazing, and I look forward to training with them for years to come!

Within 3 years of starting to run, I will have completed over 20 races, including 3 marathons, 2 Olympic triathlons, 3 Ironman 70.3 triathlons, and 1 full Ironman triathlon, if all goes well in 2017.  :)

Why I Support Blessons

Blessons makes it possible for women in need to obtain scholarships to pursue an education. As I chase my new dreams, I am honored to work with an incredible organization and with amazing people to raise money to help give other women a chance to follow their dreams.

My Races

Ironman 70.3 Racine
July 16, 2017

Ironman Wisconsin
September 10, 2017

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Samantha's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

I began running less than a year ago and decided to dive in head first, signing up for the 2016 Chicago Marathon. At that point, I had never run more than a 5k in my life. I wanted to set goals and achieve them. I wanted a goal that was tangible, that I could measure. I wanted to feel the satisfaction of crossing a hard-earned finish line. fter signing up for the marathon, I figured I could use some races to help simulate what to expect. I made a second goal of running every different distance of race I could find in 2016 and succeeded in running a 1-mile, 5k, 8k, 10k, 15k, 10-mile, 2 half-marathons, and the Chicago Marathon. What's next? I'm lucky enough to be running with Team Blessons for the 2017 Chicago Ragnar race and may add in more races for the year.  :)
 

Why I support Blessons

I am lucky enough to have been able to work continuously through my undergraduate and graduate career due to an amazing support system of friends and family, but not everyone has that opportunity. As I complete my masters degree in February 2017, I want to ensure that more women have that opportunity.

My Races

Ragnar - Madison to Chicago
June 9, 2017

Chicago Marathon
October 8, 2017

and many more...

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Berkley's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

I run to give back to my community and to raise money for charities like Blessons that are changing people's lives.
 

Why I Support Blessons

I have chose to run marathons for Blessons because education is the most powerful weapon you have to change the world. Giving women the power of education and the knowledge that it doesn't matter how slow you go but that you never stop working towards your goals. 

Fun Fact

Some fun facts about me are that I have run over 20 marathons for charity. I love volunteering and am passionate about helping the homeless pets in Chicago. I'm an avid sports fan and love attending all the sporting events in Chicago.

My Races

Las Vegas Half Marathon
November 13, 2016

Ragnar - Madison to Chicago         June 9, 2017
 

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Khit's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone. I don’t want to inspire others by being perfect. My name is Khit Masoud and I want to inspire women by how I deal with my imperfections.
I use a word called “BLESSONS”, A blesson is what happens when you see the blessing in the lesson that your challenge taught you. We all have a story, we all have our own demons, we all have our own issues and fears. Not everyone has the emotional support from their loved ones when you think you need it most. You have to learn how to survive because when you know that you are all that you have, being STRONG is the only thing you can be.

I always wanted to make a difference and teach women like my mother who I would see depressed as she raised 7 children at home as her only duty in life. I ran away from home at 16 where I was born and raised in Northern California. I took my family to court, was legally emancipated in 1998. I wanted to be free to go to college, make something of myself that wasn’t cleaning, cooking and raising children as my only options in life. As the oldest of 7, it was really hard to take this risk of never seeing or speaking to any of my family members once I brought shame to the family. By sharing my story with the world that I can leave home at 16, finish high school while working two jobs, living on my own and getting into college to make something of myself without depending on a man to support me, was one of my biggest goals.

Life’s challenges has taught me what it’s like to have slept in my car, sleep on floors at friend’s homes, to live off 29 cents hamburgers and top ramen to survive those tough lessons. After trying the first few years in college, I eventually couldn’t keep up with my grades to maintain the financial aid for school in completing my first Bachelor’s degree. Since then, I have been working towards my degree while making it through life on my own with no family support. I have always wanted to finish my college education.

I ran away from home at 16 where I was born and raised in Northern California. I took my family to court, was legally emancipated in 1998 to avoid an arranged marriage to my first cousin. At 26, 10 years after running away from home, I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called Vulvar Cancer caused by HPV. Back then in 2006, HPV was very new. Not much research was done and the only thing we knew was that my body and my immune system couldn’t fight off these high risk cancer strands.

In 2007, I had several types of surgeries and treatments in fighting cancer. Being emancipated and by that, being disowned by my entire family, I went through cancer on my own. I have had to do what was needed in order to survive and I am not ashamed of the choices that were made to survive. That's what I call a CANCER WARRIOR. I moved to Chicago in 2007, after all my surgeries, I wanted to start over, make something of myself.

While bartending and waiting tables full time was my primary source of income most of my life, in 2012 I started volunteering at a NFP organization that provides 1-on-1 cancer support, for over 4 years. Through this organization, I learned how to make a difference by using my legs by running for charity and became the force behind building this organization’s charity running team along with enough skills and experience to create and launch my very own charity one day.  Being let go in June 2016 by that organization due to budgets, became part of the LARGEST series of blessons in 2016!  I learned that the power of healing by sharing my life lessons, my challenging experiences, my BLESSONS, it would not only help so many others but also help me make peace of my challenging life journey as I began to view the blessings that came from the hardships that has taught me.

The four years of being involved with that organization, taught me that I was able to make a difference for so many cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers because no one should have to face cancer on their own like I did. Those who were lucky to not go through cancer but were affected, I was able to help them as well. So why not continue to do what I love and do best!? On August 13, 2016, I launched my new not for profit organization. I wanted to provide a service that helps women like myself, with an opportunity in completing their college education that was interrupted due to life challenging lessons. Our mission is to provide educational assistance, including scholarships to women who are 25 years and older, who have suffered from cancer, mental illness, physical and emotional abuse, or women who are immigrants/first generation.  

Soon after I learned that I have developed early stages of cervical cancer in early 2016, I promised myself that day that I would truly continue to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. I changed jobs, joined organizations such as the Abbott World Marathon Majors Ambassador Program and the CEM Chicago Community Ambassador Program both beginning in early 2016. I joined a sports medicine podiatry practice, The Running Institute as their Marketing Director. I decided that if I'm going to live life to the fullest, I'm going to see the world by participating in destination races while spreading awareness of my charity at the same time! I'm always trying to add new ways of reducing stress in my life because my body just doesn’t take it like it used to.  I believe that stress is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest causes of cancer in our bodies. Cancer feeds off of stress so easily just like it does with sugar.  I run for many things, but mostly to reduce stress while making a difference in our community. Since 2011, I have completed 100 races including (4) Bank of America Chicago Marathons, (2) TCS NYC Marathons, 2016 Sketchers LA Marathon, 2016 Boston Marathon and the 2016 BMW Berlin Marathon, while fundraising for charity. I’ve raised over $100,000 to date since! 

I want to inspire and motivate all levels of runners and show them that running is FUN through all these experiences.  I don’t know what will happen to me tomorrow or even today so I choose to enjoy every moment of a race and take in everything that’s around me. I even started to post on social media about what I’m grateful for during the marathon as I’m running it!! While running the 2016 Boston Marathon, I dedicated every mile of the marathon with pictures and posted to Facebook as I crossed each mile marker. It kept reminding me why I started this mission in the first place each time I wanted to give up.

Taking care of your health first is something that I have been working on for almost 10 years now. My mental health depends on the endorphins that running feeds me being a pacer for the largest  marathon group training program, CES. This just takes me to another level of a RUNNER’S HIGH! I was asked to become one of the official pacers on the NIKE Pace Team for The 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon last October. 

The only drug that I know of that cures everything in my opinion and including my cancer, is my love for the sport of running which takes me to my happy place. Staying on top of my health while battling cancer again with the help of my doctors including my Sports Medicine Foot & Ankle doctor, Dr. Chin at The Running Institute here in Chicago, is what keeps me in a positive mindset non-stop and injury free. To be able to help other runners of all levels as their pacer accomplish their goals, is one of the most rewarding feeling I have ever experienced. In honor of my 10 year CANCER WARRIOR ANNIVERSARY, I'm dedicating all my 2017 races including my 5th Abbott WMM race, Tokyo Marathon, completing my 6th Abbott WMM race in London as a Six Star Finisher and my first half distance Ironman 70.3 that is on my birthday in August, to my new not for profit organization, Blessons Scholarships for Women! Tax ID # 81-3326940. Please visit us at www.blessons.org to learn more. 

Thank you for supporting our mission in empowering women through education!
 

Khit Masoud - 10 yr. Cancer Warrior

Founder & Executive Director of Blessons Scholarships for Women
Abbott World Marathon Majors Ambassador
CEM - Chicago Community Ambassador
 

For donations of in-kind, or to discuss other giving options, please email info@blessons.org. All donations to Blessons, NFP, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are tax deductible as allowed by law.

My Races

Berlin Marathon
September 25, 2016

Chicago Marathon
October 9, 2016

NYC Marathon
November 6, 2016

Houston Half Marathon
January 15, 2017

Tokyo Marathon
February 26, 2017

London Marathon
April 23, 2017

Ragnar - Madison to Chicago
June 9, 2017

IRONMAN 70.3 STEELHEAD August 13, 2017-Bday Race!!

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Fatima's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

I run because it makes me feel powerful. That one moment when my feet feel like they are barely hitting the pavement, that I'm gliding like a gazelle, I'm disgusting yet I feel sexier than donning a Marchesa gown or walking in 4-inch stilettos.

Why I Support Blessons

I'm very familiar with women's aspirations and college educations being halted for one reason or another. Blessons empowers these women giving them a second chance at a better future and we you know girls run the world.

My Races

Osaka Marathon
November 26, 2016

Chicago Spring Half Marathon
May 21, 2017

Big Sur International Marathon
April 30, 2017

Ragnar - Madison to Chicago
June 9, 2017

Chicago Marathon
October 8, 2017

Honor an aspiring woman in your life or help aspiring women with financial need to achieve their educational goals by making a donation towards Sarah's Blessons Scholarships for Women Fundraiser.

You may donate through PayBal by clicking the yellow button below, via Chase QuickPay by sending to info@blessons.org or by mailing a check to 405 N. Wabash Ave Suite 2006 Chicago, IL 60611

Why I Run

My love for running began when I was about 5 and my dad and I would run around the yard together; he'd always joke that I must have been part gazelle because he never knew how I kept up with him. I've always been a runner, but I didn't learn to love racing until my husband and I went to London on our honeymoon to visit my sister, Julia, who'd just given birth to my beautiful niece. Julia had signed up for a 10k before she became pregnant and asked me to run the race for her, luckily the British Heart Foundation didn't mind the switch, and I ran my first 10k. I was hooked! I ran about 25 races that first year, including my first half marathon 5 months later (and my 2nd half 3 weeks later), that was 2014. Since then, I've run 18 half marathons and 3 marathons.

Why I support Blessons

I've been blessed my entire life because my parents stressed the importance of a good education. It is an honor to be physically able to run and to be given the opportunity.
 

Fun Fact

You can always spot me from the crowd as I'm always racing in my trusty unicorn horn.

My Races

The Berkeley Half
November 20, 2016

Big Sur International Marathon
April 30, 2017

Los Angeles Marathon
March 19, 2017

Oakland Marathon
April 2, 2017

San Francisco Marathon
July 23, 2017