One…on…the…run…think about those words. They strike an image of one person running, which indeed paints the setting for this book. However, Helene Neville’s journey brings much more meaning to this seemingly simple phrase. The book One on the Run is the story of Helene’s trek running 2,520 miles in 93 days from the Pacific Coast of southern California to the Atlantic coast of Florida.

RUN

Why running? Is this person running from something, to somewhere, or for a purpose?

Helene’s decision to run from coast to coast was a passionate one. Helene is a runner, a nurse, a cancer survivor, an advocate for healthy living, and above all a person with a heart built of charity. She would use running as her vehicle to spread her campaign of health, wellness, and fitness (focusing on healthcare workers) and raise funds for a charity dear to her, the Maryellen Rouse Neifert Memorial Fund. A charity named in honor of her mother. Running served a purpose to Helene; it represented many things, her commitment to health, her triumph over an aggressive bout with cancer, her search to cope with her mother’s death and to honor her; but perhaps most importantly running provided a spectacle to draw attention to her cause. After all, people will naturally have respect for a cancer survivor, however a 50 year old petite woman cancer survivor who runs across the continent? This woman has GOT to have something to say.

ONE

One started out as Helene.

Helene was going to run alone, run really-really far, just her. As she began to plan her run, set up accounts, organize road support, and other nuances necessary for the trip, people began to fall into her life. Her story and natural compassion brought people to her cause. The meaning of ‘one’ transformed into many with ‘one’ commonality of kindness. People cared a lot, whether it be for Helene’s welfare, taking her message of fitness and wellness to heart, or relating to her fight with cancer. Helene left a trail of inspiration behind her as she crossed the country, and the many people she encountered brought her an unexpected wealth of inspiration.

This book is Helene’s personal account of her journey. It is delightfully delivered with the no-nonsense attitude that all great nurses seem to have. Her encounters with the unexpected hazards of the road, potential of a cancer re-diagnosis, and bare bones honest interactions with the folks that make up road-side America, all come together for an awe-inspiring kick-in-the-pants story that only Helene could tell.

Amazingly after her run, she didn’t need to recover- after all it only made her stronger.

For more information about Helene, the Maryellen Rouse Neifert Memorial Fund, watch videos, read excerpts or purchase One On The Run visit www.oneontherun.com.