#4 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

#4 - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure September 14, 2013

Big and Small, Save them all.

Save the Ta-Tas

Walkers for Knockers.

Saving Second Base.

Tough enough to wear pink.

Save the Treasured Chests.


All of the above statements were found on t-shirts at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  This is a BIG event.  Held in downtown Cincinnati, the walk follows a route around the baseball stadium, over the bridge to Kentucky, around Newport on the Levee, and back to Ohio via another bridge, ending at Great American Ball Park.  

I was joined by my friend Margaret and together we walked in memory of our friend, Bev.  Bev didn't have breast cancer, but she did have cancer, and anyways, you are not the boss of me, so I can walk for Bev whenever I want.

Many runners/walkers had pinned commemoration badges on their t-shirts.  They were walking for Mom, Grammie, Nana, Aunt Janet, Aunt Sue, Aunt Barb, Brenda, Mary Anne, Tanya, Joan, Mommy, Cousin, Sister, Sister-in-law, Natasha, Victoria, Andrea, Sylvia, Dolores, Co-workers, Neighbors, Friends, and on and on it went.  Some badges listed one name, others were filled with names.

Before participating in this walk, I was more than a little concerned.  I thought it would be sad.  A walk in memory of all those women who lost their battle or who are fighting this hideous disease.  Surely this could not be a good time.

But it wasn't sad.  It was a celebration.  It was a time to remember those who lost their battle, but also a time to celebrate who they were.  And to offer support to all those who are currently fighting.  

I was amazed at the number of young girls at the race.  Growing up, I remember a time when you did not say the word "breast" in polite company, much less discuss methods for prevention or detection of breast cancer.  It just wasn't done.  

I was amazed at the number of women at the finish line who proudly announced how many years they had been survivors. 

I was amazed at the number of bald women, wearing pink boas and survivor t-shirts, laughing with their teams of supporters.  




She fought like a girl...and won.