Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Event Date: May 16 2009

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Wow today was a heck of a day!  I was up at 5:30 so that I could be downtown by 6:30 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I was a volunteer at the registration table.  I handed out the forms for those who waited until this morning to register.  Then after they filled the form out, they went to the next table where they paid their fee and picked up their T-shirt and bib (running number).

Then from 8:00 to 10:00, there was a Survivor’s Cafe with a continental breakfast put on by Panera Bread.  We also got a Survivor’s T-shirt and hat.  Then at 8:40 was the Opening Ceremony and A Celebration of Hope Survivor Photo.  It was amazing.  They had a couple singers sing songs — yeah, you know the kind, those heart wrenching, eye leaking songs!  Of course, I was just overwhelmed by all the people that were there to help raise money, awareness, and support!  The number of survivors was also amazing.  They “corralled” us between 2 pink ribbons and then had us walk up to the dome.  One row was up on the dome platform.  Then there was another row a level lower.  Then on the ground, there was a row, and in front of that was a row of chairs!  So 4 rows of survivors!  After that, the race began.  There was a 5K Run/Walk and then a 1-mile family walk.  They family walk started 5 minutes after the other group started.

The one thing that I noticed is that the starting line and the finish line required all the participants to pass by the West Michigan Cancer Center.  Of course, there was a team from the West Michigan Cancer Center participating as well.  When I first noticed that both the starting and finish line passed WMCC, I thought was a sobering reminder of what we are here for — fighting cancer.  There was one team of ladies that over their black leggings had a pink ballerina tutu, a white T-Shirt with their team’s name on the back, and bunny ears!  Fuzzy bunny ears!  It was really cute.  This one older lady had a purple T-shirt on.  On the back it said, “Yes, these are fake, my real ones tried to kill me!”  I laughed so hard when I read that!

One thing that really caught me is the difference in attitude.  I have been saying I have cancer.  While we were in the Survivor’s tent, they were handing out pink bead necklaces to represent the number of years the person had survived breast cancer.  Well, I said “I’m still going through treatment.”  the ladies said to me, “You have survived since the day you were diagnosed.”  So I am a 6-month survivor of cancer!

The neat thing was that all these survivors, even though they didn’t know one another, had a bond that just was amazing!  I mean I was hugging complete strangers!  It was really an experience I am thankful to have had!

There was one lady who was in her 30s and had three children that just had recently found out that all the doctors could do for her now was make her comfortable.  I didn’t get an opportunity to talk with her.  Of course I was saddened by her circumstances.  My heart went out to her.  This was my first year being involved in the race, and it was truly a blessing!

I had to stop her and tell her I loved her T-Shirt!  That is one thing that has been precious to me throughout my treatments -- my sense of humor!  If you can't laugh at yourself, there's only one alternative left -- to cry..... I'd rather laugh!!! Crying really messes up the makeup!