Race for the Cure

I thought this blog might be the easiest way to let everyone see the events from Race for the Cure.

It was a rather drizzly day, but at least it wasn't pouring. When we got there we went to the booths to get all the great freebies! We didn't have a chance to take advantage of this last year, so we made a point to do it this year.

The lady in the pictures with me is Sandra. She is a 7 year survivor, my personal training client and now a very dear friend. If it wasn't for her, I probably wouldn't be participating in Race for the Cure. I have avoided going for so many years mostly because I simply wanted to ignore the fact that I am a survivor and I wasn't ready to deal with the emotional part of it. So thank you Sandra for being there with me to hold my hand and be my support!

After our walk we went to the ceremonies. This is the emotional part for me. Especially when they introduced a lady who went through breast cancer and chemo, had a baby and just found out in June that her cancer has returned. But she stood on the stage with a smile on her face.

They also introduced 7 women who were survivors for 25 years or more. To give a little background information, as survivors we get 1 pink balloon for every year since our diganosis. One of the ladies was a 52 year survivor! She looked like she was going to float away holding her 52 balloons!

Then we went out to an open area to release our balloons. This is the most emotional part for me. So much so, that I can't put into words the emotions I go through. There is sadness because of the fact that I am there as a cancer survivor, but yet joy because I AM a survivor! All the memories of being diagnosed, going through it, making decisions (which was the hardest part), and recovery come flooding back. But to see all these ballooons being released in the air at the same time....well....you just have to be there. A friend of Sandra's came along with us, and even she got emotional at this time. And she is not a survivor. I'm glad she came, I think she did a great job of taking pictures and capturing the moment.

To close, I just want to say THANK YOU to all those who contributed to the Komen Foundation. I would also like to encourage everyone to continue or start doing self-examinations. My early dectection saved me from having to go through chemo or radiation. I also want to add that cancer is non-discriminatory. I was 34 when I was diagnosed, in great health, and no history of cancer in my family.

During the ceremonies a gentleman got up to speak about 'his' breast cancer. Statistics for women are that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed. Now 1 in 800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Again, cancer is non-discriminatory. Please do your self-examinations!

Thank you for supporting me and thank you Jesus for healing me!

God bless you all!