TOLEDO, Ohio — The 31st annual Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure returned to the Glass City where thousands of people gathered together to remember those lost to breast cancer and to support breast cancer survivors.
One survivor, Rainy Robinson, was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer over 17 years ago.
“I was diagnosed in my late 30s, and it was rare, aggressive late stage. It was inflammatory breast cancer. So I spent a year with IV treatments, then an additional year of needing to take it orally with the pills," said Robinson. "It's scary, but having a support system between my family and friends, and Komen, and honestly WTOL, having you guys out here every year, it's made all the difference in the world."
Robinson said she first heard about the importance of early cancer detection on television. However, she said she wouldn’t come to realize just how important it really was until her diagnosis months later.
“I had heard about it on the news and hadn't paid much attention unfortunately, until I needed to pay attention. I wouldn't dream of ignoring it ever again,” said Robinson. “I didn't end up waiting, which was good because certain types of cancer like mine are very aggressive, and very fast moving, and several weeks makes all the difference in the world between late stage 3, which I was, and stage 4.”
Robinson said after she discovered a lump in her breast, her diagnosis was hard to deal with.
“I know when I first was diagnosed and came down here, my very first year, I walked in upset and scared and literally was embraced by complete strangers. To know you have an entire community supporting you, it just makes all the difference in the world,” said Robinson.
Robinson said taking part in the Race for the Cure for the past seventeen years has played a big part in her recovery.
“It's just uplifting every single year, and every year it gets better and better,” said Robinson.
In addition to cancer survivors, many people who took part were walking or racing for someone they had lost to breast cancer.
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“I'm riding today for Sylvia Belcher, who was a very good friend from church," said Wanda Murrell, who is a survivor herself. "She lost her battle earlier this year."
“It just thrills my heart. You know, it doesn't matter how much sleep I get the night before, I'm always anxious to get down here and see everybody and participate,” said Murrell.
A survivor since 2013, Murrell said the race is her favorite day to remember those who have lost the fight.
Her message to others is simple.
“I implore you, please, have a mammogram, because a mammogram saved my life,” said Murrell. “I love being around people who are just like me.”
Present at the race was Mercy Health’s mobile mammogram unit. The vehicle provides access to those who may not have the accessibility to a regular doctor’s office or appointment.
“Part of Komen's mission, and part of our healthcare partners like Mercy Health here locally is accessibility. And if you can't get to your mammogram, if you have barriers to access, things like a mobile mam make all the difference,” said Komen Northwest Ohio Executive Director, Gretchen Awad.
And that's exactly why thousands of runners, walkers, and other participants.
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