Gwen was running with Stage Four Breast Cancer that had metastasized to her brain. When she had collapsed at the exchange, this was the first time it had happened to her and really showed the disease's progress in her brain and body. In spite of the disease that was taking such a heavy toll on her, she still completed all three of her legs of Northwest Passage. Her teammates took turns running with her, save for the last two miles of her last leg, which she completed by herself. Her teammates told me her oncologist was blown away that she was even able to complete the race.

Ragnar is about adventure, community, and determination. I can't think of a better testament to the Ragnar spirit than Gwen and her running the 2024 race while fighting this disease. Gwen lost her battle to cancer on August 13, 2024, just five weeks after the race. Breast cancer is a terrible disease that one in eight women are diagnosed with, and in honor of Gwen and in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, we at Ragnar would like to dedicate Leg 6 of Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage 2025 to Gwen.

Susan G. Komen’s mission is to save lives by meeting critical community needs by funding breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has invested nearly $3.6 billion in groundbreaking research, advocacy, community health initiatives, and support programs across more than 60 countries.

This past year, the Komen Financial Assistance Program provided $154,400 to 384 breast cancer patients specifically in Washington.

Join us, as we continue to support and advocate for all breast cancer patients.