21st Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is Staked with Strength and Survivors

Story and photos by Lauren Winfrey

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -  More than 3,000 individuals and 100 teams participated in the

21^st Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K run and walk series Saturday morning at the New York State Fairgrounds.

One of the largest race series in the world, the race helps to raise money and breast cancer awareness while celebrating those who have survived breast cancer, and honoring those who have lost their battle to the disease.

Breast cancer survivors at the 21st Annual
Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure series.

Joanne Basda was among those at the front of the Survivor’s Parade. Basda is a survivor of nine years, and was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 47.

“It was found in my yearly mammogram, and I thought it must be a mistake,” Basda said.

“I wasn’t sure what to do. I was scared, but I thought, ‘I’m going to take charge, and I’m going to do what I have to do’. When all was said and done, I had two biopsies—one in each breast—a lumpectomy in my right breast… emotionally, it’s devastating.”

Basda, of course, isn’t alone. According to the Susan G. Komen website one in eight women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. At that rate, 13-million deaths from breast cancer around the world will occur in the next 25 years.

 

Young racer Samantha Staton came to the race in support of her aunt who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Although Staton said she looked forward to racing with her friends most, in a heartfelt message to her aunt she said:

“I really hope she gets better soon.”

18-year-old Sean Beney of Camillus was the first participant to finish the 5K run with a time of 17:17.

Racers and walkers can partake in the experience again next year when the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series returns to the Fairgrounds.