2022 TEAM ELIZABETH VIRTUAL 5K
For the second year in a row, I invite everyone to join my Move For Hope team in loving memory of someone I only met in person once.
That alone should tell you all you need to know about Elizabeth Ann Mitchell McCarthy.
In Fall of 2017, I traveled up to Vermont to attend a television festival. As a new writer/producer in a community where it always feels like everybody already knows everybody (except you), the expectations of feeling welcome, belonging, good enough, etc. were never high – especially at those big social events. However, a mutual friend, Sandy, insisted that I find Elizabeth (and her amazing partner-in-crime, Sean) at the opening festivities that night and tell them I was Sandy’s friend. I will always be grateful that I listened.
For a person as accomplished, smart, stunning on both the inside and out, and surrounded by people as she was that night I walked up to her, Elizabeth’s smile, grace, humor, and warmth was nothing short of magical. Meeting her and Sean that weekend made me realize that some people are just that kind, that special, and have that ability to make everyone around them feel hopeful and supported – probably without even realizing they are doing it.
Sadly, Elizabeth passed away in June 2020 after her second hard fought battle with brain cancer (glioblastoma). She was 36. In her all too short time with us, Elizabeth lived, loved, and created so much – award winning films and television shows that she not only produced, but starred in, a successful production company with the love of her life, Sean McCarthy, and beautiful memories with friends, family, and fellow artists (many of whom begin their reminiscence about her with the same statement as mine: “I only met Elizabeth once, but….”).
Fittingly, the website for Guerilla Wanderers (Elizabeth and Sean’s production company) quotes J.R.R. Tolkien… “Not all who wander are lost.” I cannot imagine anyone ever feeling lost or without hope around Elizabeth. And I cannot think of anyone I’d rather have with me in spirit during a 5K for Cancer Hope Network – an organization whose mission is to provide hope and support for anyone who has been impacted by cancer.
Last year’s inaugural celebration brought together nearly 40 team members, and raised JUST OVER $2,500 for Cancer Hope Network. As you can see from the collage below, Elizabeth was able to bring folks together from all over the country, including California, Florida, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and countless other places.
As we all appreciated early on when announcing last year’s inaugural celebration, having a virtual event was the safest and most feasible way for us to remember Elizabeth “together” – until we could truly be together. Whether in a park, on a beach, around the neighborhood, or elsewhere, it was clear that Elizabeth is remembered and loved by everyone, and will continue to be. Which is why it seemed almost unfair to limit a celebration to one location, when her love, creativity, and spirit lives on everywhere. Therefore, we decided to keep the annual Team Elizabeth 5k a virtual one so that anyone who wanted to participate could do so however and wherever they were able!
Now, that is not to say that those of you who love and remember Elizabeth in California can’t make plans to meet up at a specific time/place and come up with a fun, creative way to travel your journey together – same for the folks on the East Coast, etc. But the flexibility will remain and that choice will be yours!
So I invite all of you – those who knew her, loved her, met her all of once, or are simply inspired by her story – to join me in celebrating Elizabeth Ann Mitchell McCarthy in a 3.1 Mile “Wander” from wherever you may be in this great big world. You can walk, run, skip, fly (if you can do that, I’m impressed) – it doesn’t matter. Wander however you wish to remember and honor Elizabeth and all those like her who effortlessly bring hope and joy to people – even those of us only lucky enough to meet them once.
Please also make sure to visit:
- TEAM ELIZABETH FAQ PAGE for all the logistics and additional details; and
- TEAM ELIZABETH 2022 TEE SHIRT PAGE for all information regarding this year’s design, detailed instructions on how to place orders, etc.
And thank you for being part of Elizabeth’s celebration!
Lindsay Tasher
Vice-President, Cancer Hope Network
