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May 16, 2009 10:59 pm US/Central
Family Honors Mother's Life With Melanoma Race
Reporting
Mike Max
HUDSON, Wis. (WCCO) ―
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Monica Jensen loved to run. She ran every day and participated in marathons. Her physical routine was almost perfect.
CBS
May is National Melanoma Month, raising awareness about a cancer that starts with exposure to the sun. In Hudson, Wis. they are well aware of the effect.
Monica Jensen fell victim to the disease three years ago. Her family organized a run on her behalf and they are working through her life to help others.
Monica loved to run. She ran every day and participated in marathons. Her physical routine was almost perfect.
"Just phenomenal shape. Athena the goddess comes to mind. She didn't do anything really unhealthy. Her one vice was Caribou Coffee," said Terri Yuske of her friend. "She didn't drink. She was just a health nut."
But she could not run from a disease that took a seemingly healthy body and did what melanoma does -- attacked it. It started in her eye and moved to her liver. Three years ago, it ended her life.
"When Monica left the world, I really felt that I didn't have any regrets, because I was able to talk to her to understand what her expectations were, what her feelings were," said Monica's husband, Paul Jensen.
She left behind a husband, three daughters and an identical twin sister.
"I miss her so much. Things are so different without one person," said Monica's sister, Missy Dierks. "She was my best friend."
It forced a father to be much more and learn on the fly the life of a widower. He took every measure to comfort their daughters.
"My kids are doing well. There are certain times during the year that they do struggle. We do talk about it a lot, we do visit the cemetery," Paul said.
Now they're doing something about it -- holding an annual race to help fight melanoma, but more importantly, getting the word out about what the sun can do to a body.
"If we can do just a little part to get people to start thinking about sunscreen and sunglasses and hats, that's what it's about," said Dierks.
The city of Hudson has embraced the idea. It's helped the healing for an aching family.
"You utilize your support system, and quite honestly you just make a positive out of every day that you can," Paul said. "It's a lot of work."
They honor her by remembering and educating.
"Monica was just an all-around great person. She cared so much about everybody else and always put herself last," said Monica Jensen Foundation President Brian Peterson.
Their goal is that no one else will have to endure a life cut short.
"We got Monica for three years after she was diagnosed," said Dierks. "Every day with her was a blessing."
This year, the event will be held May 30 in Hudson.
Monica Jensen Foundation
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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