I hope you saw the great wrapper in the Winston-Salem Journal this weekend. You may have noticed the picture on the front — a breast cancer survivor waving proudly from the finish line. I thought the photo was so representative of our Race and especially our Survivors. I received the following email from the Survivor pictured, which I wanted to share.

Hi!

 

My name is Wanda and I am the tearfully ecstatic lady on the front of the Race for the Cure insert in the Winston-Salem Journal on Friday, April 18th.  I had finished chemo and radiation about a month prior to last year’s Race for the Cure, and my hair was just beginning to grow back.  Last year was my fourth year of running the race, but my first since having been diagnosed in July of 2006 with infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I knew I could walk the 5K last spring, but never dreamed I’d be able to run the whole race.  With my daughter, Jennifer, running at my side I was able to complete the race, slowing when I tired but still finishing in just over 36 minutes!  I didn’t know my name would be called when I crossed the finish line, and when it was, I felt a lump rise in my throat and tears welled in my eyes.

 

I removed my ball cap, and looking up to locate the announcer, waved to them with a tearful smile.  That’s when that picture was taken!

 

This morning, when a fellow teacher at {my school} came into my classroom, holding the insert out for me to see, I again felt all of the emotions that I experienced as I crossed the finish line last May – hope, joy, pride, accomplishment and a special bond with all of those running the race.  This afternoon I shared the insert with our third, fourth and fifth grade girls who are participating in Girls on the Run for the first time this year.  I had run their first three miles with them on Friday of last week, and wanted to share the insert with them and tell them a little more about the Komen Race for the Cure.  Many of them are planning to participate this year, as am I.

 

This will be my fifth race.  I look forward to many more chances of candid shots of me as a breast cancer survivor, crossing yet another finish line.  I’m inviting everyone to have such a photo op with me!  Thanks to all of the organizers of the race and all of the related events for their hard work and support of such a worthwhile cause.

 

That’s what it’s all about, ladies & gentlemen. We’ll see you on May 3.