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Decorated Triathlete From Greenwich Bravely Fights Cancer — Again

GREENWICH, Conn. — Former Greenwich resident Karen Newman remains faithful that she will win her second fight with cancer — and that she will compete in Mexico in the World Triathlon Championships.

Karen Newman, a former Greenwich resident and internationally-ranked triathlete, announced she has a recurrence of cancer.

Karen Newman, a former Greenwich resident and internationally-ranked triathlete, announced she has a recurrence of cancer.

Photo Credit: Tom Renner

“With God’s help and yours, I am going to beat cancer again as it tries to spread through my body,’’ Newman wrote on a GoFundMe page and disclosed that she was diagnosed with cancer in her spine. “With God’s help and yours, I am going to compete for the United States at the Worlds in September.”

Newman survived breast cancer in 2008. She turned her battle against cancer and bulimia into an inspirational book, “Just Three Words,’’ that was published earlier this year. Newman, a longtime resident of Greenwich before moving to Vermont in 2014, returned to town to promote her book. She also spoke at the Center for HOPE luncheon in Darien earlier this month.

Everything seemed to be going well for Newman. Now, cancer has returned and thrown her life into upheaval again. The GoFundMe page was created to help with medical expenses associated with cancer treatment.

“God is going to use this trial I now face for good,’’ Newman said. “I am standing on His great promises. He is the author of my story. He has saved me from this killer before and He can do it again. I have far too much work to do in the kingdom.”

Newman hopes to compete at the world triathlon championships in September in Cozumel, Mexico, in the triathlon and aquathlon (swimming and running). She finished second in her age group at the 2012 world championships in New Zealand and is a seven-time All-American in triathlon.

Newman also hopes to continue her schedule of speaking engagements. Last week in Vermont, she was the keynote speaker for the University of Vermont Center for Aging in Rutland even after physicians said it was unlikely she could attend. Newman, instead, stood with a compression fracture in her spine and delivered her speech. “I told the world what a mighty God we have and how our trials transform us,’’ she said. “And how in the end, what matters is did we leave a legacy of love.”

Most would be scared, depressed and sad over the news that Newman just received. She embraces it. This is now her mission, to spread a message of faith, love and determination.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that I am going to beat this again,’’ she said in a text message. “My book and speaking engagements are helping to heal this hurting world. My work here is far from done. It is only beginning.”

Click here to visit Newman’s GoFundMe page.

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