Daughter Running Boston Marathon For Westfield Mom Battling Ovarian Cancer

WESTFIELD, NJ — Last March, the Phillips family of Westfield was hit with the devastating news that their beloved mother Karen was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer.

It "came as a shock to everyone who knew her," said Karen's daughter Emma to Patch. "She was just absolutely the healthiest, most active person we knew, and she always took great care of herself. I guess this just serves to prove that this disease could happen to anyone."

The Phillips family have been members of the Westfield community all of their lives, especially Karen, who moved to Westfield when she was in her 20s and previously owned ViaNutrition in the community.

Since the diagnosis, Karen "has been fighting it relentlessly" and Emma, who currently lives in Boston, has been splitting her time between Westfield and Boston serving as a caregiver and helping her mom with her treatments, doctor's appointments, etc.

Emma has been helping to build her mom "back up to her pre-March levels and just fight through the cancer as best we could."

Seeing her mom fight inspired Emma to run the Boston Marathon in April. This is Emma's first marathon and she will be running as a member of Team TEAL of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

"She is the smartest, most beautiful, and most hardworking person I know, and she and I have always been closer than close. I always feel so corny describing our relationship and how we just 'get' each other, but there's no other way to put it. I would be lost without her," said Emma.

Emma felt this was a good avenue to raise awareness, honor her mom, and let out the frustration she had watching her mom battle this cancer.

"You just feel so helpless. I'm not used to being faced with problems that I can't fix or at least help along. And so I figured a way that I could help," said Emma. "If any money I raise or anything I say can help to prevent another person from going through what my mom is going through right now, I'm gonna do it."

Emma's goal is to raise $20,000 and she is already a little more than halfway there with $11,000 raised. All of the funds will go to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

"The support they provide to those fighting ovarian cancer, their families, and those researching this disease cannot be overstated, "said Emma. "This incredible organization is such a massive part of my 'why'" for running the marathon.

Emma has set up a fundraising page for those looking to donate - I'm Running the Boston Marathon with Team Teal of the NOCC in Honor of my Amazing Mom!!

"I am touched to tears of Emma and everyone’s kind and generous donation of time and efforts. They all know firsthand how trying this journey has been but for ALL and for her to consistently slow and steady train for this event in my and our family's honor is beyond love and dedication," said Emma's mom Karen. "Throughout, her attitude has been positive even when we didn’t know where else to look, she turned to the Marathon to train and focus and be here with me and the family to get strength and inspo!"

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