Friendswood Development News

Lisa O'Docharty has spent more than two years fighting breast cancer that spread to her brain, then her spine. So no one could blame the 38-year-old and her family if they skipped any New Year's celebrations.

But O'Docharty, a Galveston native, will be present for that city's Blessing of the Feet on Jan. 1, which will be followed by Lisa's Fun Run, a 5K to benefit an educational fund for her 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son.

"To me, this event, it's not a sad event," said Ginger Farrant,  who is asking people to sponsor her in the Jan. 15 Chevron Houston Marathon by donating to the fund for her longtime friend's children. "It's just a celebration of who she is, her strength and courage."

A pastor from St. Patrick's Church, the parish O'Docharty attended as a child and where she was married, will bless feet at 1 p.m. at Fit to Run, 518 23rd St. He will give another blessing for O'Docharty, her husband and children at 1:30 p.m., immediately before the run/walk.

More than 400 people have registered for the run, Farrant said. The route goes through Galveston's historical East End District and passes some of the sculptures created from trees destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Since the event is noncompetitive, strollers, wheels and dogs are welcome, she added. A silent auction also is planned.

O'Docharty has been touched by the show of support, said her husband, Chris O'Docharty. The couple are both sales representatives at the Houston Chronicle, where they met.

"It's always nice to see that sort of thing," Chris said. "I didn't think we knew 400 people."

Farrant said the event has been a labor of love for those who know O'Docharty and her family, which has long been active in the Galveston community.

"So many people have made her run possible," Farrant said. "It's going to be a great celebration for her."

Registration forms are available online at fit2rungalveston.com, and registration will be open on race day (the blessing is free). An online donation site for the Listowski-O'Docharty Fund has been set up at tickets.destinationnext.com/yagaswildgame/donation.aspx.

Reprint from the Houston Chronicle.

Note: Lisa O'Docharty has been Friendswood Development Company's Houston Chronicle representative for many years and we love and support her and her family.