THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE will converge upon Fifth Third Field the last Sunday of this month with one thing in common: the color pink. “They’ll be in pink wigs, pink tutus, pink shoes, pink ribbons—they’ll be decked out in all kinds of things pink,” Mary Westphal says.
Actually, they’ll have another thing in common: breast cancer. “A pink ribbon is the symbol of breast cancer,” Westphal continues. “The crowd participants are wonderful. They’re breast cancer survivors, co-survivors, survivors’ family and friends, and lots of other community partners touched by breast cancer.” She adds others are there to celebrate the lives of loved ones who are no longer here because of breast cancer.
Such will be the scene of Race For The Cure, an annual event conducted by the organization simply called Susan G. Komen. This year’s race—5k, running or walking—will be Sunday, September 26, outside Fifth Third Field and Hensville, beginning at 7:00 a.m., with registration at 7:30, an opening ceremony at 9:00, and the race at 9:30. There’ll be a Race For The Cure in Findlay on Saturday, September 25.
This is more than a race, explains Westphal, who is in her 13th year as executive director, Ohio and Michigan, for Susan G. Komen. “It’ll be a festive environment, with a family fun walk of a mile, sponsor tents with giveaways, a Kids Zone, live and recorded music, and all sorts of activities, especially for breast cancer survivors.”
The focus this year, she says, is The Power of One. “One person can make a difference, whether that is one who registers, or one who raises money, or one who speaks out about his—yes, men can get breast cancer, too—or her journey.” Westphal says all those “ones” add up to a lot of people who can make a positive impact on a future in which it is hoped breast cancer is eliminated.
Aside from celebrating those who’ve survived breast cancer and remembering those who haven’t, Race For The Cure is about raising two things: the level of awareness of the disease and money to finance research and help patients.
Westphal says money is raised through registrations—$35 for adults, $20 for youths under age 18—and through those registrants securing donations. “We say, ‘Your registration gets us to the start line and fundraising gets us to the finish line.’” Registrations and donations were off last year because of the pandemic. Still, people participated by running or walking in their neighborhoods, and events were streamed on Facebook live. “We still had success,” Westphal recalls. “We had 1,100 registrants. We usually have 8,000. This year, we are conservatively projecting 3,000.” Participants can register online at komen.org/toledorace or komen.org/findlayrace. Westphal realizes the lingering pandemic likely will affect the turnout. Breast cancer survivors have compromised immune systems, she says. “We’re letting people make the choice whether to attend in person or walk in their neighborhoods like last year—whatever they prefer in terms of comfort and safety. We will be using the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines at the time of the race. We’re encouraging everyone to do what they’re comfortable with.”
Susan G. Komen the person spoke out about her breast cancer at a time, in the late 1970s, when those with that disease didn’t. “Back then, breast cancer was in the shadows,” Westphal says. Komen died of breast cancer in the early 1980s. Her sister, Nancy, started the organization to raise awareness of and find a cure for the disease. “Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer as well,” Westphal says. “She beat it and is with us today.”
Awareness has been raised—the pink-adorned crowds at the races are testimony to that. Progress has been made in finding a cure, but each breakthrough leads to another facet of cancer. “Cancer is a scary disease; it finds a way [to attack the body],” Westphal says.
She adds that money raised through the Race helps pay for a relatively new Komen feature, the treatment assistance program. This helps breast cancer patients, especially those who are underinsured or uninsured, afford treatments and cover associated expenses.
Westphal says program details and other information are available at komen.org or by calling the local office at 567-806-5424 or the national office at 1-877-465-6636. In the meantime, Westphal is excited about race day. “To see people rallying around survivors is inspirational. It’s a celebration of life, people cheering each other on and proud of the successes of those cancer survivors. It shows some of the newer breast cancer survivors that, yes, you’re going through a tough stretch, but you can get to the other side and enjoy a full, good life.”
