WINTER PARK, FLA – Thirteen-year old Campbell Hendrix was born a blessed runner.
- Campbell Hendrix runs cross country at The Geneva School
- Needed a purpose to run
- Found motivation through helping a family friend
“It’s a natural thing,” said Campbell’s mother, Alli who’s also the head cross country coach at the Geneva School. “He can just run. He doesn’t where a watch. He doesn’t time himself. He doesn’t measure distance. He just runs.”
Natural talent isn’t enough motivation for this teenager.
“I did not like running and that’s because I didn’t have a purpose,” Campbell said. There was no good reason.”
“Why don’t you help your team make it to state this year,” Alli said? “He goes that’s so selfish. I don’t want to become arrogant and get all these medals and I go well find your purpose.”
Campbell searched. He found a reason more motivating than any time or distance.
A few miles away from the Hendrix house is family friend Amanda Raffenaud. Unlike Campbell, finding a reason to run was never an issue.
“I used to be a runner years and years ago,” Amanda said. “I did long distance, half marathons, full marathons. It’s always been a great stress reliever.”
Nowadays Amanda isn’t running. She’s battling something more daunting than any race.
“The first thing that I thought about was ‘God please let me live.” My kids need a parent.”
Amanda was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. Two major surgeries, a hysterectomy and an oophorectomy, and a round of oral chemotherapy have occupied the last nine months.
“It’s been in some ways like a dream,” Amanda said. “Is this really happening to me? Is this really what I’m walking through and then it’s been a beautiful experience because of the community that’s surrounded us, because of the people who are lifting up my family at this time.”
One of those people was 13-year old Campbell. Close friends with Amanda’s youngest son, Luke, Campbell had found his purpose in Amanda.
A Facebook video on the page “Amanda’s Road to Healing” reads in short, “Mrs. Raffenaud is one of the kindest people I know. I want people to sponsor me for every mile I run. The money will go directly to Mrs. Raffenaud.”
Campbell created the ‘Eyes Up’ campaign. The name comes from one of Amanda’s favorite sayings, when life gets tough keep your eyes up on God.
“I was in the airport when I got the call,” Amanda said. “
“I said no Campbell. You don’t have to do that. You can have fun and run for you but don’t do that for me. It’s been a journey for me as well learning how to receive it.”
Simultaneously, Campbell’s journey began. From June 1 to August 15, the teen logged his goal of 150 miles. ‘Eyes Up’ raised over $25,000.
“I finally felt like I was making a difference and I was,” Campbell said.
“My heart so wanted to be a part of that,” Amanda said. “Just one mile with him. Meanwhile I kept going with my treatments and my infusions. I kept getting stronger and I didn’t tell my doctor but I said Campbell I’m going to run the last mile with you.”
On the last day of the campaign, Campbell, Amanda and her two sons Jimmy and Luke would run the final mile together. The plan was to meet at the Raffenaud home, run through the neighborhood and finish in front of the Geneva School campus. At least that was the plan.
“We just had a quick-less than 24-hour impromptu make signs, make a finish line banner and when she got there it was all these people who she’s inspired cheering for her wildly,” Alli said.
As Amanda rounded the corner, the scene unfolded in front of her.
“It was a picture of you’re not alone,” Amanda said. “You’re not doing this alone.”
Down the home stretch, the three boys took a step back as Amanda ran the final fifty feet on her own racing through an ‘Eyes Up’ banner.
“I called it a big love explosion,” Amanda said. “It just felt so sweet and tender. It just radiated out and it was wonderful.”
The campaign is finished. Campbell and Amanda’s friendship continues to blossom. The two can be found often-juicing fruits and vegetables in Amanda’s kitchen. The mother’s desire to strengthen her body with vitamins and minerals has been met with constant support.
She hosted a juicing party with Campbell’s cross country team. A shot of carrot and ginger juice is the clubhouse favorite.
“They have this beautiful chemistry where she just encourages him and inspires him every step of the way,” Alli said. “He does that for her. It’s this mutual act of love.”
Through that act, new purposes were found.
Campbell says he became closer to God.
“Mrs. Raffenaud, you have changed my life,” he said. “This will affect the way I live my life from now on.”
Amanda has learned how to open herself up to others.
“Campbell you are a hero in so many ways and it doesn’t take running miles or raising money,” she said. “You are a hero without any of that because you love and care for others so deeply. You’re a hero and I’m so grateful for you.”