Hey friends! It’s Jess from the 2020 Rim to Rim to Rim trek 💪— I rocked both of my Project Athena shirts during our 3-day, 38-mile trail race with Melinda, and carried each of you (especially you, John W!) with me every step of the way. 💙 Sending tons of good vibes your way — hope you’re all doing amazing! That 2020 trip was the spark that lit my love for trail running, and Project Athena has been a part of every training session and race since. 🏃‍♀️✨ Grateful for this journey and all the strong, inspiring people it brought into my life. #ProjectAthena #TrailRunningFamily #RimToRimToRim #OnceAnAthenaAlwaysAnAthena (fb)

🌊 Meet Athena Lori Whitmire 🌊 San Diego Harbor To Cove Hello from Austin, Texas! I am a wife and mother of 2 grown daughters, one living in Los Angeles and one in San Marcos. I have always loved the outdoors and being active and traveling. I am lucky that my daughters like to travel as well, and I have been on a lot of trips with them. In May of this year, I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. Luckily for me, I was able to do a lumpectomy and radiation. I had to have 2 surgeries in June. I worked hard on building up my strength and I was able to go on a planned trip to see Taylor Swift in Munich with my older daughter in July. I then came home and did 16 sessions of radiation. I had really gotten out of shape before the diagnosis as I was having a lot of woman health problems. In October, it was determined I needed a complete hysterectomy (not cancer related). So, I had the surgery (the 3rd one in 5 months) and worked hard to get back to be able to walk the 3-mile loop I liked to walk with my dogs and husband. The cancer really jumpstarted my life again as it helped motivate me to move again and to seize the day and live a life of purpose and appreciation. I had heard about Project Athena from a friend and decided to apply. I am so very thankful I received the grant, and I am so excited to participate in the San Diego Coastal Marathon! I want my girls to see that I am strong and healthy, and my body is better than ever. I want to see that for myself, too. I am really excited about meeting all the wonderful people in this program and being a part of such a great community. #whatsyourstory #survivor #comebackstory #adventerousdreams #liveyourdream #projectathenafoundation #PAF #ProjectAthena #comebackstronger (fb)