Teal Diva: An Update on the Diva

Shannon Routh is an inspiration to all she encounters.  College Lifestyles readers were first introduced to THE Teal Diva in Fall 2010, when she was featured in several articles.  Six months later, where is she now?

For starters, February 18^th marked one year of Shannon being cancer free *pause for cheers!*.  To celebrate, there was a party thrown in her honor at a local restaurant where she celebrated with family and friends.

This year, Shannon desires to focus on her health.  “I am looking to achieve things that before cancer weren’t even a thought,” Shannon shares.  In January she started training for a 5K and since has completed two races.  Her main focus during these races is completion.  She and her sister Tina (a constant source of encouragement in Shannon’s life) recently ran the “Run Like A Girl” 8K in Charlotte, NC.  They participated in this race last year when Shannon was only weeks out of chemotherapy.  Shannon was eager to once again participate in this race.  And, earlier this year, Shannon and her husband J.J. participated in a “Stiletto Sprint” benefitting ovarian cancer awareness.

In addition to these races, Shannon and Tina desire to complete a half-marathon before 2011 comes to a close.  Also, Shannon, J.J., and two of their dear friends will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in August.  “Cancer was such an emotional process for me (and still is).  Having a hysterectomy at such a young age and so young in our marriage was pretty emotional too.  I was strong for everyone, but now I need to find a way to release all the emotions I have carried around.  I am looking for a cleansing so to speak.  I want to climb in an effort to take something back and show cancer couldn’t take everything… my strength, my spirit determination.” Shannon joked that the true challenge in completing this would be overcoming her lack of “outdoorsman” skills.

Interested in sponsoring them on their journey? Visit www.tealdiva.org to make a donation.

What an update!  What an inspiration!  Shannon continues to amaze us all.  Who knows where she will be six months from now?!  Be sure to stay updated on her progress through Teal Diva’s Facebook page.

Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™.  She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Georgia College & State University®, where she was also the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®.   She is blessed to call Shannon a friend and is excited to hear about all of her adventures to come!