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Defeating Breast Cancer,
a 10-year Survivor
As I stood at the back
of the stage at the 2007
Susan G. Komen National
Race for the Cure in
Washington, D.C. on June
2nd, my mind flashed
back to 1989. The
weather was similar—cool
to start the day—as my
younger sister and I
gathered with about
8,000 runners and
walkers for the first
Komen National Race in
our nation’s capital.
Despite the fact that
Linda was recovering
from a bout with the flu,
we felt this was
something we had to do
in celebration of our
mother having survived
breast cancer for 20
years.
Life got in the way of
me participating in the
race again until 1997.
That June, my husband
walked with me as silent
tears ran down my face
for the walk. I proudly
and gratefully wore my
first pink survivor t-shirt,
which is worn by many
breast cancer survivors
on race day. I was among
a new sisterhood.
When I was first
diagnosed with breast
cancer, my husband Bill
and I agreed that no
matter the outcome, we
were going to make
something positive out
of the situation. I was
completely open with all
who wanted to talk, and
we “coached” other
couples through their
own “triathlons”
(diagnosis, treatment,
and recovery).
I
also began volunteering
for the Komen National
Race for the Cure;
working at registration
sites, reconciling
donations, and even
packing the survivor
goodie bags. If I was
having a bad day, once I
arrived to the race
office, the positive
attitude and obvious
love and support would
turn my day around. I
have always felt that I
got more out of the work
than what I put into it!
This was never more
apparent than after my
second diagnosis in
2003. The concern and
support I received from
all those friends I made
during previous race
years now buoyed me, and
in turn, I doubled my
efforts to help support
the finding of a cure
for this indiscriminate
and heart-wrenching
disease.
This past June, as I
heard my name being
called on the stage
speakers, the
reminiscing stopped. I
knew it was now time for
me to step to center
stage.
There were thousands of
people dressed in green,
blue, white or pink t-shirts.
As I looked out over the
amazing scene, I was
reminded of a bouquet.
The green represented
the supporting stems and
nourishing leaves of the
flowers. The blue was a
special accent to the
bouquet, like the blue
ribbon often tied around
a vase. The massive
amount of white was like
baby’s breath
surrounding the delicate
flowers. Then, there was
the most beautiful color
of all, pink—the flowers
themselves.
The flowers were the
focus of the bouquet,
just as all of the
survivors were the focus
of the event; and the
other elements completed
the bouquet. Some of the
flowers were just in bud,
like those who were
going through treatment,
some flowers were
partially open, like
those who have recently
finished treatment and
were opening up to their
new life, and some were
in full bloom—showing
what embracing life is
all about.
Why was I now speaking
to the thousands of
racers flanked by
hundreds of breast
cancer survivors lined
up on bleachers in their
pink t-shirts? I was
chosen as the 2007
National Race Survivor
of the Year and I was
extremely honored to
represent all of these
beautiful pink blossoms.
I promised to continue
my efforts with Komen on
their behalf; and I
humbly believed I could
speak for all of the
survivors by thanking
everyone who was there
to complete our bouquet.
We wouldn’t have been as
beautiful without them.
Though I hope the cure
for breast cancer is
found soon and the race
is no longer needed, I
continue collecting my
pink t-shirts. I have so
many that they take up
an entire dresser drawer!
Maybe one day, I’ll make
a quilt out of them; the
memories will certainly
keep me warm.
By Beth Swanson
Photos by Katie Garlock
and John Harrington
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