Healing and Half-Marathons
Participating in this year's Earth Day Run will have more significance than ever before for Lacey McGrane, mammogram tech and Imaging Supervisor at CentraCare - Melrose. This time, her and her sister reunite as team 'Sista Sista' to celebrate life and a hard-won fight against breast cancer.
"Not only am I working towards a goal, completing a race of grit and endurance, proving strength and efforts…now I am running with my sister to cross that finish line in a more powerful way."
Lacey McGrane has been competing in sports her entire life and has been an avid runner since her mid-20s.
Running offers a rewarding balance of self-care and purpose — it's a way to challenge herself, an outlet to relax her mind, a means of keeping healthy for herself, her husband and her kids. Beyond exercise, it's an avenue to raise money for a meaningful cause and be part of something fulfilling.
The first time she set foot on the Earth Day Run course was in 2014 and it's since become one of many meaningful accomplishments in her cardio career.
Sisterhood in Every Step
Lacey and Jenny in their early years, growing up together
For the last 10 years, you'd almost certainly see her oldest sister Jenny right by her side, stride for stride, supporting and pushing one another to conquer every mile as team 'Sista, Sista.'
"Jenny has always been someone who helps out, who you look up to, who fights for what she believes in and who paves the way for people in all they do," said Lacey.
Despite bookending the family as the oldest and youngest of four kids, the two are close. A 10-year age difference is the only gap in an otherwise seamless bond. Outside of the racecourse, they celebrate major moments together, prioritize the wellbeing of the families they've created and lean on one another through all life's ups and downs.
Lacey (right) alongside her sister Jenny after competing in a running event.
Those 'downs' of life have always been manageable when the two faced them together.
However, a new challenge would soon test their resilience — one that felt uniquely and painfully familiar to Lacey.
Hitting Close to Home
Lacey's been a CentraCare team member since 2011 and serves our patients as a mammogram tech and imaging supervisor at CentraCare - Melrose.
She of all people understood the depth and severity of Jenny's condition.
"My heart sunk," said Lacey. "It stung…the fear of what this could mean."
Two months before the 2025 Earth Day Run event, Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer, something many others in their family had faced battles with.
"It was when I saw her mammogram that the weight of it hit me hard," said Lacey. "I could see the cancer for myself, I knew it was real."
The two still participated in the Earth Day Run and shortly after the race, Jenny completed a double mastectomy.
Resilience on the Road to Recovery
Jenny begins her healing journey after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Lacey remained a constant presence by Jenny's side on her path to healing. Between joining her and her husband in the surgical consultation and helping during the surgery, to providing the comfort and care that only a sister can.
Sometimes Lacey would lift Jenny's spirits by sending positive quotes and spiritual messages. Other times, she would reassure Jenny that she was going to be OK and that she is loved.
The journey has only strengthened our bond. I look up to her now even more.
— Lacey McGrane, Mammogram Tech & Imaging Supervisor, CentraCare - Melrose
"After witnessing her ability to move through her diagnosis with grace, determination and perseverance, I know she's a walking testimony of God's goodness," said Lacey.
They prayed. They stayed positive. They kept moving forward, just as they'd done so many times before.
Team 'Sista, Sista' — Together Again and Stronger Than Ever
After a few months of healing, Jenny's care team gave her the green light to start training again.
Lacey and Jenny have Saturday, April 18, the day of the half-marathon, circled on their calendars, eagerly awaiting the moment that 'Sista, Sista' runs again.
Only this time, Jenny is cancer-free.
"We are in this together, not just to meet our goal or to prove it to ourselves," said Lacey. "But to cross that finish line, together, and my sister as a survivor."
Lacey believes reaching the final marker of this year's race sends a message of hope for others facing similar uphill climbs — proving that even the most uncertain roads can lead to victory.
"So bring on Earth Day 2026," said Lacey. "We are pursuing the finish line with gratefulness in our hearts and our faith unbounding."
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