WWW-One on Run
The Warrior Women segments give me an opportunity to showcase those brave, spirited women. I can then introduce them to those that need to see the good in others, while all along the way they are bombarded with negativity ! I have met this woman previously, and today I have the honor of interviewing Helene Quintal Neville. Her story is a true rarity.
Helene is so full of life and love for her fellow man despite all she has gone through. She is a 5x cancer survivor and has dedicated herself in service as a nurse, mom, grandmother, and friend. On May 1, 2010, Helene has survived three brain abscesses, three brain surgeries, and reoccurring lymphoma, and embarked on a quest to run across every state in America to inspire the nation to “Rethink Impossible” along the way. She has found that there’s more right with humanity than she ever imagined. She has demonstrated to those needing hope and inspiration what’s physically and mentally possible despite all odds that were against her.
She has run across all 50 U. S. States in eight segments. California to Florida, Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico, Florida to Maine, eastern Maine/Canadian Border to Ocean Shores, Washington, Wyoming to West Virginia to Las Vegas, Nevada, the perimeter of Oahu, Hawaii, Anchorage to The Dalton Highway, The Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Helene also pushed her limits beyond comprehension, by being the first person to run the Las Vegas Strip back and forth for 35 hours, covering 135 miles. She then became the first person in history to run up and down the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, (the infamous “Rocky Steps” for a total of 16 miles) beating the prior recorded distance of 7 miles.
With no roadside crew, and all alone on the highways of America, she survived on whatever was in her backpack on a particular day. Helene ran through treacherous terrain, and unpredictable horrific weather conditions. Despite suffering cancer, broken bones, an attempted assault and abduction, financial hardships, and the deaths of two family members, she continued running to show others that nothing should stand in their way of achieving their goals and dreams. She is a wonderful role model !
Helene’s run is about humanitarianism and athleticism. “The most spiritual thing we can do is embrace humanity and to connect with those around us. What if we reach out and celebrate each other’s strengths rather than weaknesses?” Helene said. Too many focus on what’s wrong and not what’s right. The beauty of humanity all around gave her a deeper love for her country, and its people. “On a road that literally ends and where life truly begins.” stated Helene.
The Run of Her Life:
Helene’s run spanned nine years, encompassed three countries and 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, for an incredible total of 13,850 miles. It presented barriers that would have easily stopped others in their tracks. Imagine you survived cancer…endured chemotherapy, radiation and three brain surgeries. Then imagine running 25 miles, sometimes more, each day, without roadside support, surviving on whatever is in your pack for that particular day…All alone – on the highways of America. After running those miles you somehow harness the strength to visit hospitals, schools, fire departments, cancer centers, and communities to share your story. Neville self-funded her runs by selling T-shirts and her books and relying solely on the support of strangers along the way to help her with housing, food, and road support.
Neville has encountered several challenges of running around the country with no crew or backup team. People she had never met literally took her into their homes each night of her run, fed her, moved her support vehicle 20 to 50 miles ahead of each start point for the next day’s run, and placed water every three-four miles along her daily running route. She persisted despite the summer heat in the Deep South, record humidity in the Midwest, wildfires in the West, dangerous terrain, blizzards in the mountains, altitude sickness, constant logistical and financial issues, a broken heel bone, a broken rib, hurricanes, a new cancer diagnosis, and an attempted assault and abduction !!!
What Else does Helene do you ask ?
Along with her running, Helene is a professional speaker and has spoken in 50 states, over 300 hospitals, cancer centers, as well as prestigious institutions, schools, corporations, and FedEx. Helene offered her speeches pro-bono during all of her runs.
Besides her speaking engagements she is also an author. Her first book was Nurses In Shape – The Right Dose. With book in hand, she set out on foot to deliver the essential message of healthy living to healthcare practitioners in the front line of patient care – nurses. This 2010 history making run spanned 2,520 miles from California to Florida. Helene Neville ran the distance in an astounding 93 days. She was the first person, the first woman, and the first nurse to run the entire length of the southern half of the United States in the intolerable hot and humid conditions of summer.
With her second book, One On The Run – 93 Days Across America, Helene departed Vancouver, Canada on May 1, 2013 at the age of 52 and ran to Tijuana, Mexico. Her border-to-border run covered 1,500 miles, which she accomplished in 45 days – this time was bittersweet as she carried the ashes of her recently deceased brother who had always wanted to join in her adventures. She has visited more than sixty hospitals, nursing schools, and businesses while traversing America. http://www.oneontherun.com/motivational-speaker-hospitals.
Helene has been featured in print, on radio, and on TV. Helene is determined to inspire nurses across America and believes in the ongoing mission. She has taken on the responsibility to change health one mile, one person, one nurse at a time. “This has been such a privilege to meet people where they live, work, and play in their own environments, while struggling to overcome life’s obstacles.” observes Helene. This inspired her to do more. She recently founded the National Nurses Half Marathon, 5K, and two-day Health Institute Speakers Series Conference. “I believe that we can restore the health of America. But it’s up to you and me to take positive action to ensure that the future is everything it can possibly be,” stated Helene. www.nationalnurseshalfmarathon.com
Her claim to fame-On Oct. 8, 2015, Helene was honored as a star on The Flag for Hope. https://flagforhope.com/pages/the-flag Helene was one of 50 prominent iconic Americans chosen out of 323 million people for this honor. Among the 50 icons included as Flag for Hope Stars are Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, General Colin Powell, Admiral Patrick Walsh, Billie Jean King, Major General James E. Livingston, Muhammad Ali, Tom Selleck, and Carlos Santana, Helene is star number 12.
The Irony of it all
Neville, a cancer survivor, is now running from cancer herself. Helene was diagnosed with Covid AND Stage IV Cancer while on a nursing travel assignment on the front lines of Covid. As a traveling nurse, on March 1, 2020, she ran without looking back to the front lines to help with the nursing shortage due to Covid. On assignment, September 7, 2020 in Bismarck, North Dakota she ran to the aid of the most vulnerable there. While in town only 7 weeks, she worked many consecutive 12 hour shifts to the point of exhaustion, only able to sleep and eat before showing up to do it all over again.
Helene’s words from December 23, 2020 on Facebook: “On my nursing travel assignments witnessing the ill, infirm, and demented en masse in nursing homes caused me to be blue. I cried behind my mask the entire time. When the bell tolls as often as it does in nursing homes, it is understandable that one might ruminate on when it will toll for them. The bell tolling for me definitely crosses my mind a lot lately, then I become stronger. I hallucinated all evening and was super confused, dazed and in pain. I walked to the nurses station and back to my room, mere feet. The effort was there. I read all your comments and hang on to every single word.
I haven’t been able to respond much as my eyes are affected by the chemotherapy and my hand/fingers are too swollen. Tonight at 10pm, North Dakota time, the Neulasta shot is given. This caused me great pain last time. I am praying to be pain free. In 2010, I was affected by our world enough to try to change it…I believe each one of us is a miracle and I believe in miracles. I have to. I dream about being cancer free and not just for me…dreams are made possible if a person tries. I ran to save the world and the people I met along the road or in cyberspace during One On The Run, turns out were waiting there all along.
I ran to deliver inspiration, peace, hope and love, and since October 23rd you have brought it full circle back to me. Thank you will never be enough. The thing about cancer is that I am not the only one. Cancer is widespread and doesn’t discriminate. We have so much to pray for. Prayers make miracles work. I believe it. Kay Comiskey posted this comment on my wall and that’s exactly how it felt while running in Alaska. The bears literally looked on and didn’t engage with me. Like we want this cancer to do.“It is as if a bear is running beside you in Alaska but will never be able to get any closer. It sees your strength and stays away. It keeps you going strong—- like it’s your totem!”
My beloved Irish mom was the purest and kindest person. There will never be another. She taught me that Jesus is in all of us and we give gifts to each other as a birthday celebration for Jesus who resides in all of us. The true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for extending the gift of prayer, compassion and kindness to me. Happy and joyful holiday season to everyone. I am thankful to have so many kind and compassionate people in my life who have lifted me up during an uncertain time.”
My Interview with Helene Quintal Neville:
1) Can you tell me a little bit about where you grew up, your siblings etc.?
I grew up in Havertown, PA just outside of Philadelphia. I moved to Vermont for high school followed by Iowa State for college. I was married in 1982 and had two sons. When my sons left for college, I moved to AZ and finally NV.
I am one of six to a single mom. My mom passed on 2002 at the age of 68. My eldest sibling, a brother died unexpectedly at the age of 56. After he passed in 2013, I took his 26 pound urn filled with his ashes, ran with it, and spread his ashes in every state!!! He always wanted to travel and he sure did.
2) What promoted you to start this movement- One on the run ? Who in particular,if any, were you running for ?
One On The Run was not to realize my own dream but to inspire others to realize theirs. If people saw me out there and learned about my story, perhaps they would feel inspired to do something. I used running because I am good at it and I love it. It’s a cheap way to get around. I wanted to inspire, provide hope, acknowledge and extend my hand to my community. I consider my community, my country. I also wanted to prove that there is more good than we every imagined. That’s why I ran solo. I knew people would be waiting for me and care for me if I showed up and smiled. And they were right there waiting.
3) I’m sure there were difficult moments when you wanted to quit. Describe one please. What did you do to keep going ?
There was a reason to quit everyday. Money, feeling ill, loneliness, broken bones and being attacked. I focused on my why and never lost site of the big picture which was to unite the country in peace and love, and I was going to prove it. As long as I was out there someone was being inspired.
4) Any wisdom to pass on to others from what you’ve learned on the road by yourself ?
It only takes one person to start thinking differently to make change. It’s like a small ripple that caused a wave of inspiration. One person can be that catalyst, but we need others. We always need a team. I also learned even when I felt alone, I knew I was never really alone. Someone somewhere was thinking of me or wishing me well. I felt the strength of an army of supporters near and far. Take life all in and don’t forget to thank those along the way. What lies behind us and what lies before us is tiny to what lies within us. No matter what your difficulties are in life, there’s always someone else suffering, suffering more than you. Be kind to one another and take care of each other. We are all we have.
Helene didn’t have insurance when this devastating blow struck. If you feel the urge, and would like to reach out and help her with the costs of her care, you can do so on her GoFundMe page:
God bless ! I thank, Helen for this opportunity to portray her story so that it may inspire others who aren’t sure they can go on through difficult times and circumstances. She is tough and determined in all she does despite the odds. The statement comes to mind: If you think you can or you think you can’t, they are both right ! It’s all in mindset. Be strong and you will persevere !
In Helene’s words: “Don’t save the best for last ! You never know when last will be.”
