Thousands Participate In Annual 'Race For The Cure'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - They walked arm-in-arm, hugging, crying and giving praise Sunday morning. Several thousand breast cancer survivors celebrated life during this year's Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
"It's very emotional. It's very moving. I'm a 25-year survivor, thank God," Shirley Greene said.
On this Mother's day, survivors were joined by about 25,000 of their family members, friends, and supporters of the 21st Annual Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure."
The event raises money to fight breast cancer and honors those who lost their battle with the disease.
However, improved awareness and research are helping.
"Right now, there are actually 2.9 million survivors living in the United States, today. So, we're seeing women survive the disease more, and we're also seeing better treatment for them," Komen Pittsburgh CEO Kathy Purcell said.
A lot of the money raised today will help provide free mammograms.
"Last year, our funds -- the grants we gave out -- provided over 10,000 mammograms to our affiliate area." Purcell said.
Lenore Schwartz, a 56-year breast cancer survivor,
offers this advice:
"My secret is a good attitude, taking care of myself, a wonderful family, wonderful friends, caring and loving everything," Schwartz said.
Other survivors agreed on the need for family, friends, and faith.
"My faith, my faith. Every day, I wake up, and thank Him for giving me another day. It's about faith," three-year survivor Kathy Oliver said.
"Just hope and believe, and prayers, and friends, and family," nine-year survivor Marlene Santiago said.
Carol Baker-Ford is getting lots of love and support as her battle with breast cancer taught her an important lesson.
"Enjoy life one day at a time, because tomorrow is not promised," Baker-Ford said.
Joey White, a one-year survivor, admits she cried, at first. Then, she made a discovery.
"I learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was, and I wasn't going to let this beat me, and I'm cancer-free," White said.
While there is still no cure for breast cancer, supporters will keep fighting, until the race for the cure is over.
RELATED LINKS
