Debra Dandro has been a Recover Ambassador since 2023 and a steadfast member of the Charlotte, NC running scene as a sustainable voice, participant, volunteer, group run leader, pacer, and more! She is a breast cancer survivor and a fierce advocate for sustainability throughout all aspects of her life! Deb might also hold the record for most Recover shirts owned by a single person ever!
She spent 25 years working in the banking industry and now works part-time for her brother-in-law and helps her husband with his various businesses. In addition, she does a bit of volunteer work, loves taking photos, and spends time crafting with stained glass, resin, and acrylics.
Coming off Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Deb’s recent finish (again) at the Marine Corps Marathon, we sat down with her to learn more about what drives her and to share her background with the Recover audience.
Let’s start at the beginning of your relationship with Recover. Do you remember the first Recover product that you ever owned and where you got it?
My first exposure was definitely a Whitewater Race Series event many years ago. It was one of the early “Classic Tee” shirts that are still around today!
Be honest, how many Recover items do you own at this stage, and with so many options, can you possibly whittle it down to a singular favorite?
You all know me so well ... I do have a ton, and that is a hard question. While I do like all of them, my favorites are definitely the new Recover + Go tanks for running, the Sun Hoodies for protection, and the Impact Jacket for layering.
With so many Recover products and only so many days of the week, you’ve had to get creative with what you do with those items … What has been your approach?
Since we hadn’t finished moving into our house in Kannapolis, NC, when I started my breast cancer journey, I still have all of them currently. Once I finally get everything organized, my plan is to set aside the ones I want to keep wearing and to have (multiple) blankets. I already have one gift card waiting patiently for me to prep and send in the first batch to Project Repat in Morganton, NC.
We mentioned that you are a breast cancer survivor and just completed ANOTHER Marine Corps Marathon last month. There is a bit more to your personal MCM story … Do you mind sharing why this year’s race was so special?
This race was definitely special for multiple reasons. The last time I did MCM was in 2023 when I ran for the first time as a Recover Runner. That year, they decided to shorten the first gauntlet on the fly due to humidity, so I did not get to complete the entire distance (ended up with about 24.2), so I definitely wanted a redo. With this year being the 50th Anniversary, I did not want to miss it. After making it through six rounds of chemo and a double-mastectomy in 2024, I had started back running, but ended up getting an infection in one of my expanders, so I was forced to stop and have another surgery. Because of that, I had two additional surgeries this year and finally got to officially start back running in July of 2025! Multiple people thought that was way too fast and too much too soon, but I tend to be stubborn and got to work after putting my training plan together. I was basically starting over, but then I had a few issues arise, including an unexpected side effect to a medication and some lovely knee pain, so my long runs did not really happen. My longest run before MCM was the Rocktoberfest Half Marathon, pacing the 3-hour group with my sole sister, Laura Ruthenbeck. My awesome husband, Jim, was so supportive and actually stayed with me the entire race. We did run/walk intervals for the first half, and then I mainly power hiked the second half with a few little run spurts mixed in. We even held hands for a short time, and one of the race photographers actually caught it.
Beyond MCM, you continue to inspire and support countless others with your constant uplifting presence in the Charlotte running community. What keeps you coming back for more (or in your case … giving so much back through your leadership, volunteerism, participation, etc)?
Awe … so sweet! It’s definitely the people. I love cheering others on. Being a slower runner, I know what it is like to be out there so long, have the aid stations closed, and spectators gone home. Even when I am running and not a pacer, I always try to cheer everyone on along the way because it really does make a difference. When I am not running a race, I love to either work at a water stop or volunteer at a cheer station. Last year, during the Charlotte Marathon, when I wasn't able to run, I was at the Charlotte Running Club cheer station wearing a unicorn onesie, ringing a cowbell, and almost lost my voice from screaming so much - plus I took tons of pictures.
One specific example comes to mind when Mandy Carter and I were the 3:30 pacers for Charlotte RaceFest one year. It was one of the first big races after COVID, and we were mainly on the greenway, so we didn't have the hard stop to get the streets back open. We came upon this lady who had flown into Charlotte to do the race. She and her friends were working on doing half marathons in every state. Needless to say, her friends were no longer with her on the course; it was unseasonably warm, and she was struggling. We made the call to stay with her and keep her going. While she threatened to quit multiple times and the water stops were already packed up, we filled her water, gave her salt tabs, and continued to motivate her to finish. The finish line was still up, and there was still quite a crew of people there, so when we made that last turn, she held up both our hands as we crossed the mat with a cheering crowd, and she was able to mark North Carolina off on her list of states!
Do you have any other big races that you are participating in or helping with on the calendar?
I am on the Board for the Charlotte Running Club, so there is always something on the calendar. I just volunteered at the Charlotte Marathon Expo and then paced the 3-hour group for the first half of the marathon. The next Charlotte Running Club Mallard Creek Greenway Run will be on Saturday, December 13, at 7:30 a.m., and I'll be hosting. Also, I will be one of the sweepers pulling trail markers at the Beast of the East 100 Miler in December. After that, I don't have anything officially on the books, but there is definitely more pacing, sweeping, water stops, etc!
Why is sustainability important to you, and how do you implement it into your daily life?
Sustainability has always been important to me, but working for the Recycling Department when I was in college at UNC Charlotte definitely moved it to the forefront. With that job, I had to physically get in the large recycling dumpster and clean out the trash and contaminants, so I do get upset when folks do not "recycle right". One of the fun things I got to do was organize our Earth Day event and make lots of awesome contacts. Once I was out in the corporate world, I was on the Green Team leadership and organized Earth Day events there. Nowadays, I continue to promote recycling and purchasing from sustainably run companies like Recover. Jim and I do quarterly street cleanups at the bridge over the lake we live near so that trash doesn't end up in the water, along the street we live on, around the lake, as well as near our rental property in Salisbury, NC. We also pick up trash we find when kayaking. Through these ongoing actions, we’ve also encouraged others to do the same. Every little bit does make a difference.
As a runner, I always use a bib holder instead of safety pins for attaching my bibs. No matter the race distance, I typically wear a waist belt with a reusable water bottle. That way, I always have water when I need it and can refill at water stations (and actually get water when they have run out of cups).
You’ve set the bar pretty high on how you positively impact your community and environment. For those who are at the beginning of their positive impact journey, what is one way they can get started in having a positive impact on their community and on our environment?
An easy one is to purchase products from Recover. With my collection, I’m always promoting them along with a few other brands that I love. I am also a big proponent of buying local and love supporting small businesses. Pick a race or a non-profit and sign up to volunteer once a quarter. Volunteers are always needed at races and for packet pick-up. If racing-type events are not your thing, there are tons of non-profits that would greatly welcome your time and support.
If you are walking and see some litter, pick it up. That one small act may encourage someone else to do the same. When you are driving, and you see a turtle trying to cross the road, pull over where it is safe to do so and help it along its journey. Next time you pick up a pizza to take home, tell the staff thank you. That smile and kind words will go a long way. Little things do make a difference.
Just for fun, what new Recover product would you love to see next?
My big wish for next year is to see something specific for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. I love the Milky Way and Lavender Eco T-shirts from the Recover L.A.B. initiative and would love to see a pink version and some cool graphics for BCA.
