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news
Survivors race
for a cure
By Adam M. Rosenblum
Special to the On-line Forty-Niner
Newport Beach residents
who are used to a view of blue sea were surprised Sunday to
have it replaced with a sea of pink during the 10th Annual
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
More than 26,000 runners, many wearing pink hats, raced to
raise more than a $1 million to help find a cure for breast
cancer and to support friends and family who have been stricken
with the deadly disease. All those wearing pink hats were
breast cancer survivors. The first annual race 10 years ago
had 3,800 participants.
"I can't imagine anyone whose life hasn't been touched
in some way by a breast cancer victim," said Lynn Miller,
Laguna Nigel, a nine-year survivor of breast cancer. "I
feel it's really important to attend this event, it has affected
a lot of my friends who are here, and a lot who can't be here.
It's important to race for them."
Runners pinned signs to their backs. Some read, "In celebration
of..." others, "In memory of..." to let everyone
know why they were running, and who they were running for.
Lyn Adams, Capistrano Beach, a nine-year breast cancer survivor,
wore a sign that read, "In celebration for...me, my mom
and all the other pink hats out there." Her mother is
also a breast cancer survivor.
Breast cancer affects an estimated 1,740 Orange County women
every year, 330 of which will die.
"Women need to know that once they're diagnosed with
breast cancer life still goes on," said Judy Pickett,
Cameron Park, a two-time survivor of breast cancer. Pickett
won the 5k race two years ago, and came in third this year.
Pickett, who ran her 14th marathon of the 2001 season this
weekend, decided to run 100 races to help raise money to find
a cure.
"It's such a pleasure to run with people who are here
to share a cause," she said.
The Pacific Life team, Team Jen, ran in memory of co-worker
Jennifer Blackstone.
"We started the team four years ago when a co-worker,
Jennifer, was diagnosed, she recently passed away. Today's
event made me cry," said Margaret Hin.
One of the oldest attendees is Eileen Jacob, Long Beach, a
53-year survivor of breast cancer.
"I feel it is really important to attend the event,"
Jacob says. "The women come up to me and tell me what
an inspiration I am to them."
Catherine McWilliams, Long Beach, a six-month survivor, said,
"It's because of women like these [Jacob], that I'm able
to be here today." McWilliams was not able to run because
of her chemotherapy but her niece and nephew ran for her wearing
a sign that read "In celebration of Catherine McWilliams."
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established
in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker to honor the memory of her sister
who died of breast cancer. Seventy-five percent of all proceeds
of the race fund education, screening and treatment programs.
The remaining 25 percent supports the Komen Foundation Program
for breast cancer research.
"I know in my heart that 5 years from now that there
will be a pill people can take to cure breast cancer,"
McWilliams said.
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