"I Am the Cure": The tag line of the Race for the Cure 2007 campaign.
The Mall St. Vincent was alive with men and women adorned in the pink and white insignia of Susan G. Komen. Booths were scattered throughout the grass and ribboned volunteers passed out information pamphlets. Looking around I wondered about the world around me. I felt that I was witnessing a profound movement leading to a greater social destiny. Where eight-hundred women began in Dallas, thousands of people continue in Shreveport. As I walked the 5K race I felt the impact of the women who have walked before me, united for a cause that “knows no boundaries, be it age, gender, socioeconomic status or geographic location” (Susan G. Komen for the Cure).
I signed a memory card in honor of a close friend of the family and pinned it with feeling to the board. I pressed one hand to her name and another to my heart in silent remembrance. I blinked a tear away as I allowed the familiar feelings of loss to wash over me for a moment. I was overwhelmed at the force of breast cancer and its affect on the community as well as individuals as I gazed at the many names. Sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and friends were written across the board, each a personal testament of suffering…and defeat.
The experience in its entirety was empowering. I felt uplifted and passionate, excited with what the race had taught me. I feel that I was passed this gift of knowledge to serve as an ambassador of the cause. This final revelation occurred to me not when crossing the finish line, but when coming to the realization that every individual participating, volunteering or simply supporting has become a link in the chain toward breast cancer awareness.
Learn More:
www.iamthecure.org
www.komen.org
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment