Ethan Bennett would seem like a normal young man growing up in the 21st Century, and in many ways he is. But not very many college students take on a challenge as hefty as a run across America. And that’s exactly what Ethan has done.

Although Ethan’s approach to personal circumstance is quite unheard of, unfortunately the circumstances themselves are not. Ethan is part of a growing number of people losing loved ones to the tempest of Cancer. After losing his mother to colon cancer in 2006, Ethan joined the endless rolls of children who have lost their parents to this devastating disease. However, Ethan wasn’t about to let the fight end with the passing of his mother. She fought to the end, and now it seems Ethan intends to do the same.

In an initiative to benefit the world renowned cancer support group, Livestrong, Ethan has committed to a 3,289 mile Run to Fight with hopes of raising upwards of $500,000. Not very many of us consider a car ride of over 3,000 miles being worth the time, resources or effort – let alone a run. But to Ethan this is more than just Running. When we asked Ethan to share his feelings and the story behind the Run to Fight campaign this is what he said:

My name is Ethan Bennett and I was raised in the small town of Woodbridge, Ca. When I was 17, my mother, Susan Bennett, lost the fight against cancer and passed away.  I knew I had to do something to change the future; not only the future of myself, but the future of others. The feeling of losing a loved one was the most horrific feeling I’ve ever had.  Knowing I needed to do something, I started running.

Running was a way to reflect on life. It allowed me to be free and forget about all the worries and stresses of everyday life.  Running taught me that life wasn’t about the small things, but rather about enjoying the moments we have here on earth. After years of dedication, I will be running across America to raise money for cancer. I can’t stand to see another child lay in a hospital bed not knowing if he or she will live, or hearing about a mother who passed away in the eyes of her children.

This run is about YOU. For those affected by cancer in any way shape or form. So that one day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day we will beat this disease and live our lives on our terms, not cancers; so that every child, mother, and grandparent would one day not have to worry about outliving their child.  Over 560,000 people each year in the U.S. are expected to die next year that is nearly 1,500 people a day.  Every 1 out of 2 males will be diagnosed with cancer within their lifetime, and 1 out of 3 women will also be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It’s time we do something to change those statistics forever.

Join me in the FIGHT. So that we can one day say that we have conquered cancer. I will be running on April 21st, 2012.  Running from East to West; I will be running an average of 40 miles a day, 7 days a week. After over 3 months I will have covered over 3,200 miles, to FIGHT and give HOPE to those in need; it won’t be easy, but if we all FIGHT, we can and will END this disease.

The Be the Ball Foundation with support from BTB Sunglasses is sponsoring the Run to Fight. We believe that Ethan’s passion and initiative is exactly what we’ll need to conquer this disease. We strongly urge all who are in the position to do so to donate to the Run to Fight. From the RuntoFight.com website you can follow Ethan on his run beginning on April 21st; support by purchasing athletic gear or bracelets, donate via cash, check or credit, or become a sponsor.