Andrea
runs The WORLD
FUEL MY RUN“You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
- Cicely Saunders -
Discover my estimated schedule and locations for each upcoming week. Join me on my journey! Stay tuned and see you soon.
NEXT STEPSI INVITE YOU TO:
Take THE TIME, INFORM YOURSELF, PONDER THE ISSUES, And
WHEN YOU ARE READY,
START A CONVERSATION.
Your support, whether small or large, ignites a global wave of compassion and kindness. Let’s create ripples of positive change together!
SUPPORT MY RUNSharing dreams invites us to connect, inspire, and weave threads of compassion that transcend our mortal boundaries.
SHARE YOUR DREAMMy Run around the World for the Living and the Dying
Starting in December 2024, I will attempt to run around the world, covering a distance of 16,300 miles (26,232 km). This self-supported journey is expected to take between 555 and 600 days.
So far, only eight individuals have successfully completed this feat, meeting the criteria set by the World Runners Association (WRA), which oversees attempts to circumnavigate the Earth on foot.
My goal is to become the 9th person to officially run around the world.
Live Tracking: Following My Footsteps Around the Globe
Thank you for joining me on this incredible journey and tracking along.
As I run around the world, I make progress one step at a time.
Every day, I reflect on my purpose, hoping the conversation about death and dying has commenced and remains vibrant and alive.
My Run around the World for the Living and the Dying
- Start: 20. December 2024 London, England, St. Christopher Hospice
- January 2025 Argentina
- February 2025 Chile
- March to July 2025 USA
- August 2025 Japan
- September 2025 South Korea
- October 2025 New Zealand
- November 2025 to February 2026 Australia
- March 2026 India
- April to June/ July 2026 Europe
- Finish: June / July 2026 London, England, St. Christopher Hospice
My Run AROUND THE WORLD for the Living and the Dying: A Journey of Compassion and Advocacy
In embarking on my global run, “My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying,” I am not only lacing up my sneakers but also weaving together threads of compassion, awareness, and hope. My purpose is profound, touching the lives of patients, families, and communities worldwide.
A Journey Beyond Borders
As a dedicated nurse working on an oncological ward, coupled with various other life experiences, I’ve witnessed the intricate dance between life and mortality. My footsteps now carry me beyond hospital walls, across continents, and into the hearts of those who need it most.
“My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying” is more than a physical feat; it’s a testament to the power of palliative care, hospice care, and suicide prevention.
Palliative Care: Easing the Journey
Purpose: To raise awareness about palliative care and empower patients and their families with knowledge.
Intention: By running across diverse landscapes, I symbolize the journey faced by patients with chronic conditions. My mission is to ensure that every person understands their options for symptom control, comfort, and dignity. Palliative care isn’t just about pain management; it’s about enhancing quality of life.
Hospice Care: Navigating the Final Mile
Purpose: To shine a light on hospice care and compassionate end-of-life support.
Intention: As I log miles, I honor those who have reached life’s final chapter. Hospice care isn’t about giving up; it’s about embracing life’s closing pages with grace. Through my run, I advocate for seamless transitions, emotional support, and holistic care during this sacred time.
Suicide Prevention: Running for Hope
Purpose: To break the silence surrounding suicidal thoughts and provide a lifeline for those in despair.
Intention: Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. By running across borders, I amplify the urgency of mental health support. My steps echo the resilience needed to overcome darkness. Let my run be a beacon of hope, reminding us that no one should face despair alone.
A Global Call to Action
“My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying” isn’t just about miles; it’s about bridging gaps, fostering empathy, and igniting change. As my feet touch soil in different countries, I will remember that each stride carries a message. My purpose is clear: to ensure that no life - whether living or dying - is forgotten or unsupported.
Next Steps around the World
Week 35: 26/08 - 01/09
Start
End
Monday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Tuesday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Wednesday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Thursday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Friday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Saturday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Sunday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Week 35: 26/08 - 01/09
Start
End
Monday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Tuesday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Wednesday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Thursday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Friday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Saturday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
Sunday
- Zurich
- Winterthur
- St. Gallen
My upcoming weeks involve anticipated steps and stops on this extraordinary journey.
Here, I aim to provide an estimated timeline and location for each approaching week, inviting you to join me if you choose. Flexibility is my guiding principle.
Occasionally, I may need to adjust my intended plan or alter it altogether to maintain the best possible flow in my run. If you could cross-reference this information with the live tracking, it would be fabulous. This collaborative effort will give you a more accurate idea of my whereabouts.
Please consider joining me on this adventure - I’d be delighted to meet you, whether it’s a brief moment of waving in person or a longer stretch of running side by side.
Support My Run: Join the Journey @ Dream Big Too. World
Your support, whether small or large, means the world to me. Imagine setting a single domino in motion - a spark that ignites a global wave of compassion and kindness.
From the very beginning of my dream, I envisioned my run as a catalyst - a single domino that sets off a ripple effect of positive impact far beyond my personal journey.
My mission? To establish a voluntary alliance, uniting diverse stakeholders with a shared purpose: supporting “My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying.”
Together, we can make a difference! Click the button below to explore ways you can support “My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying.” Together, we’ll create ripples of positive change!
Start a Conversation about Death and Dying Today
Raise Awareness
In a world rapidly evolving due to technological advancements and shifting societal norms, the conversation about death, dying, and the quality of life throughout one's journey often remains sidelined or steeped in misunderstanding and stigma.
Despite the universality of death and its profound impact on the living, there exists a significant gap in global awareness and understanding of palliative care, hospice care, and suicide prevention.
These essential components of healthcare are crucial for enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing pain and discomfort at any stage of life, yet they are frequently underestimated and overlooked in broader health and societal discussions.
Foster a Global Dialogue
“My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying” identifies a critical need to foster a global dialogue that challenges and transforms current perceptions and narratives surrounding death and dying.
It's essential to clarify that palliative care is not exclusively for end-stage illnesses but can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, focusing on improving quality of life and relieving symptoms.
Hospice care, on the other hand, is specifically tailored for individuals with a prognosis of six months or less to live and focuses on providing comfort and support during the end of life.
Additionally, suicide prevention efforts are essential for addressing mental health challenges and reducing the incidence of suicide, promoting support and resources for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
conversation
Address the Challenges
The silence and discomfort that often shroud these topics contribute to a lack of comprehensive care strategies, insufficient policy support, and inadequate resources for those in need of symptom control, end-of-life care or those grappling with suicidal thoughts. Moreover, myths and misconceptions about palliative and hospice care inhibit the ability of individuals, families, and healthcare providers to make informed decisions that honor the dignity and wishes of those with chronic conditions or nearing the end of their lives.
The overarching problem that “My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying” aims to address encompasses a multifaceted challenge: How can society shift its understanding and approach towards death and dying to ensure comprehensive, compassionate care that enhances the quality of life for everyone, regardless of their stage in life? This question underscores the necessity of a multisectoral, interdisciplinary effort that spans geographical and cultural boundaries, engaging a wide array of stakeholders in a concerted effort to demystify, destigmatize, and enrich the conversation about comprehensive symptom control for chronic health conditions, end-of-life care, suicide prevention, and the inherent value of every moment of life.
I Have a Dream - What Is Yours?
Share Your Dream: Illuminating Hope
In the quiet corners of our hearts, dreams take shape. They are the delicate, resilient whispers of our deepest desires, waiting to unfold like the wings of butterflies. As we navigate life’s intricate paths, we encounter both joy and sorrow and sometimes glimpse the horizon where dreams blend into reality.
At Dream Big Too, we invite you to share your dream - a simple, heartfelt gesture that can inspire others. This isn't just a phrase; it's an open invitation to express your aspirations, hopes, and deepest desires, whether publicly or privately, in my guestbook. Here, we celebrate the courage it takes to dream and the strength it brings to our shared journey.
Why talk about dreams here, in the context of palliative care, hospice care, and suicide prevention? Because dreams are the heartbeat of humanity. They transcend life’s boundaries, providing hope even in our darkest moments. They remind us that there’s always a flicker of light, a possibility waiting to unfold.
So, let's gather at the intersection of dreams and reality. If you feel inclined, share your dream, whether publicly or privately, in my guestbook. Your dreams will form a mosaic of resilience and shared purpose. Remember:
- Hope Springs Eternal: Dreams are the whispers of hope. They remind us that life is worth living, even when pain threatens to engulf us.
- Legacy in Dreams: Each dream you share becomes part of our collective legacy. It’s a testament to the human spirit - a beacon for those who follow.
- Conversations Matter: By discussing dreams openly, we break down barriers. We create bridges between the living and the dying, between those who seek solace and those who offer it.
Dear friend, if you feel like it, share your dream. Whether your dream is grand or humble, whether it dances with joy or wrestles with pain, it belongs here. Together, let’s weave a tapestry of dreams - a testament to our shared humanity. Share your dream in my Dream Big Too Guestbook and join us in this journey of hope, connection, and compassion.
One Dream Before the Final Journey: What Would You Choose?
Imagine you had just one dream before embarking on life’s final journey. What would it be? Take a moment to reflect, dream, and share your heart’s desire.
Share your dreamForerunners
The runners who have completed a circumnavigation of the Earth on foot are:
- Jesper Olsen: 662 days (2005 and 2012)
- Rosie Swale Pope: 1789 days (2008)
- Tom Denniss: 622 days (2013)
- Tony Mangan: 1461 days (2014)
- Kevin Carr: 621 days (2015)
- Serge Girard: 434 days (2017)
- Marie Leautey: 825 days (2022)
- Tim Franklin: 576 days (2024)
I extend my deepest respect and admiration to these pioneers who have achieved this monumental task and inspired others, including myself, to follow in their footsteps and Dream Big Too.
For more information on the World Runners Association and their criteria, please visit: https://worldrunnersassociation.org