Wards named honorary race for cure chairs
On Saturday morning, more than 2,000 walkers and runners will participate in the 11th annual Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure event at Forestview Middle School in Baxter, which raises funds for breast cancer prevention and research.
This year's honorary chair and honorary survivor chair are John and Sally Ward of Brainerd.
Sally Ward was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 6, 2003. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early, but she still underwent a mastectomy. Seven years later, Ward is cancer free. She and her husband, a Brainerd state representative, have had a team, Sal's Team Hope, each year at Race for the Cure for the past six years. Their team on Saturday has 46 members that have already raised about $2,200 for the cause.
About 2,400 people participated in last year's Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure at Forestview.
"I'm there to support my wife but also to support all the families that have been touched by breast cancer," said John Ward. "This really gives hope to a lot of folks who maybe need hope. And it's a celebration, for people to celebrate surviving for one month or 10 years. It really provides that
hope for all the cancer survivors, like my wife, that they'll have longevity. Quite frankly when you hear that C-word, the cancer word, you're scared out of your mind."
"I am humbled and honored to represent breast cancer survivors," said Sally Ward. "It's quite an honor to be able to do that. I'm a strong believer in early detection because my cancer was detected early. The race raises money to educate women (about breast cancer). I believe in annual mammograms and this helps women who can afford mammograms."
If You Go
The 11th annual Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure is planned for Saturday at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
The aerobic workout begins at 8 a.m. with a breast cancer survivor photo taken at 8:25 a.m. The dove release is planned for 8:35 a.m. with the 5K race starting at 8:45 a.m. The 5K and one mile walks begin at 8:47 a.m. with the Kids for the Cure races for children ages 2-10 starting at 9:45 a.m. Awards ceremony and prize drawings are planned for 10:15 a.m.
For more information or an entry form, visit www.komenbrainerdlakes.org.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
About 2,400 people participated in last year's Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure at Forestview.
The money raised also has supported local programs, including a new fund for women - or men - who are going through tough financial times as they battle breast cancer.
Kathy Buxton started the Pink Ribbon Cupboard in January, a fund that was awarded a $25,000 Komen. Buxton, along with Susan Beck and Marian Foehrenbacher, serve on the Pink Ribbon Cupboard's board of directors. St. Joseph's Foundation serves as its fiscal agent, allowing the new fund to accept tax deductible donations.
Buxton said the purpose of the fund is to provide emergency financial help to those who are undergoing breast cancer treatment. It may mean the family receives a gift card for groceries or some bills paid, such as a mortgage payment or utilities so the lights aren't turns off at their home. The fund could be used to buy diapers or pay for child care.
"I just thought there's got to be a need there," Buxton, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, said. "I will never forget that hopeless feeling 14 years ago. If I didn't have the kind of support I had, I don't know how I would have gotten through it."
In addition to the Komen grant, the Pink Ribbon Cupboard also received financial support from Beverly Roach, or Mrs. Walleye, the husband of Gary Roach. The Roaches have produced a line of pink fishing rods, a portion of the proceeds were given to the Pink Ribbon Cupboard. Beverly Roach's sister, Diane, died of breast cancer in 1998.
To learn more about the Pink Ribbon Cupboard or to apply for financial assistance, contact Buxton at 829-6205 or Foehrenbacher at St. Joseph's Medical Center at 829-2861, ext. 7130.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.