Antoinette Pauwels completed her second marathon as an LRG Athlete, making it an especially meaningful milestone. As the Data Management and Research Manager at TheLife Raft Group, Toni works behind the scenes and directly with families affected by GIST, helping patients and caregivers find answers, access resources, and feel supported through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Her work goes far beyond administration, it is deeply personal, and it is one of the main reasons she is inspired to run for the GIST community.
For Toni, running has become more than a sport. It has become a way to turn purpose into action. She has shared that running helps her manage stress and stay grounded, while also giving her the opportunity to raise awareness for a rare cancer that many people have never heard of until it touches their lives. Each step on race day reflected the resilience she sees in the GIST community every day.
Completing 26.2 miles is never easy but doing it for a second time as an LRG Athlete shows her determination. She was not simply chasing a finish line, she was honoring the strength of the patients she speaks with, the caregivers she checks in on, and the community she serves with heart every single day.
Thank you, Toni, for turning your personal goal into something that inspires so many others. Your dedication on and off the course continues to make a difference. And thank you to everyone who donated and showed support for Toni’s journey.
To leave Toni a message or learn more about her marathon journey, visit her Kudoboard.
Join the LRG Athletes in 2026 and let your journey fuel hope for others – find more info here.
