This past Saturday I did a 5k run/walk that sponsors the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation. Breast cancer prevention and treatment is always something I have believed in and sponsored, but over the last few years it has been something especially important to me.
I worked outside all day in the rain on Friday and 6:30 came very early Saturday morning when I was supposed to be getting up for this race. Several times on Friday I thought of backing out, but when my alarm went off on Saturday and I was able to make it through a shower without too much effort, I decided I'll just go ahead and do the race.
I went through the rudimentary motions all morning - drive to Greenville, sign in, receive registration packet, pin number to shirt. All of this done in a seemingly robotic sense, with me still somewhat debating on whether or not I should have stayed in bed.
As I was walking to the main stage, off to my left was a somewhat small table with several stacks of pink square paper and some errant Sharpie markers on the table. As I got closer, I realized these were tags that you could pin to your shirt that either memorialized or celebrated breast cancer victims. My entire outlook on the day changed. I felt ridiculous for wishing I had stayed in bed, guilty for my thoughts of backing out, but more than anything, I was flushed and overtaken by an emotion I can only regard as a combination of gratefulness and love that I could be at that race to celebrate a survivor. I proudly donned my pink badge letting everyone know that I was celebrating Alison's victory over breast cancer.
As the race started, I took note of all the people wearing these pink badges of memorilization and celebration. I teared up at the ones that simply stated "In Memory of Mom" and I smiled at the ones that celebrated a mother's conquest. It was the easiest 3 miles I've ever walked or run because I was emboldened by the fact that many of these women had battled cancer and were here, or had lost their mother, sister, best friend to cancer; yet still walked to show their loyalty to a cause that remains strong, even with the passing of their loved one.
Initially, I signed up to walk to show my support for eradicating this terrible disease. But on Saturday, I walked for Alison. I walked because I want her to know her victory still resonates and that her life is celebrated everyday.
I encourage anyone that has the opportunity to participate in this event, to do so. It is truly a wonderful experience of fulfillment, even if you have not been personally touched by breast cancer. For details go to www.komen.org.
