Strides Against Breast Cancer

Every year at Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida thousands of women wearing pink gather for the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. It is a supportive event between survivors be it friends, sisters, mothers, aunts or grandmothers. Over twenty thousand women walked this year in Downtown Miami.

According to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, this fundraising event benefits women through research, education, and early breast cancer detection programs. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised benefit Miami programs while the rest is distributed by the Komen organization to related causes.

The race, a total of 3.1 miles run or walk, began at Biscayne Boulevard and NE 1st Street and ended at Bayfront Park.

Ana struggled to keep up with the crowd and their shuffling towards the finish line. She trained over a period of two months. She first started for twenty minutes walking daily and then towards her goal of 3.1 miles. Ana crossed trained in an activity besides walking during alternate days.

“It was worth the training. I’m hoping my muscles don’t get sore.”

She hydrated well with a sports drink mixed with electrolytes. Before the event, Ana confessed in eating a bagel to provide the needed carbohydrates to walk the race.

Although Ana did not win the Race For The Cure, the opportunity gave her chances to connect with other breast cancer survivors.

“The cause is what matters. There are women here that have survived cancer, once and even twice. I’m happy to support my sisters.”

Ana’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at age forty during a routine physical. The mass was detected on the mammogram and confirmed by fine needle aspiration.

“It runs in the family but we are not alone.”