 |
| Mary Duncan of Santa Ana, Ca., gets swarmed by congratulatory hands Sunday Sept. 23, 2012, at the 2012 Komen Orange County Race for the Cure in Newport Beach, Ca. She was running for a friend. More than 18,000 participants raised $2 million for the breast cancer cause. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER |
NEWPORT BEACH – With 33 pink bead necklaces hanging from her neck, Sue Fitzgerald wrapped up her thoughts on the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with a few words.
"It's all about the steps."
The steps lead to the stage area for survivors of breast cancer, and on Sunday hundreds who beat the disease marched up in their pink T-shirts, hats, even pink shoelaces.
They inspired the thousands of relatives and friends cheering them at the 21st annual fundraising event near Fashion Island.
And they gave each other hope.
 |
| Breast cancer survivor Mark Goldstein, 79, shows off his tee shirt during the 2012 Komen Orange County Race for the Cure survivors ceremony at Fashion Island. Goldstein wore no. 222 for the amount of races he's run to promote awareness of male breast cancer, although it's extremely rare. The New Jersey resident was diagnosed 24 years ago. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER |
"The first time I was here, when I saw that sea of pink shirts, it was inspirational," said Mary Scott of Tustin, who wore one pink bead necklace for each year she has survived breast cancer, 16 necklaces in all.
When Theresa Latasa Mumma, the mom of two young children, was diagnosed in April, she knew who to call. Her cousin, Rebecca Hultquist, of Orange, is a seven-year breast cancer survivor and one of the Komen race organizers.
On Sunday, Mumma tearfully picked up her first bead necklace. Hultquist wore seven of them.
Many of the 18,000 who registered came in teams, with names like "Team Happy Hooters," "Belinda's Boobs" and "Saving Second Base." The "Sikh Americans Support the Cause" team had a large turnout.
 |
| Breast cancer survivors hold their pink roses proudly during a ceremony to honor them at Sunday's 2012 Komen Orange County Race for the Cure at Fashion Island. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS |
So did a group who came out to support Patricia Quintanilla. Wearing a scarf to cover her hair loss, Quintanilla was surrounded by her loved ones and their hugs.
"It gives me a lot of hope," Quintanilla said, wiping away tears.
The annual event saw some 4,000 fewer people register this year. Last month, Komen officials said fundraising was lower following a national controversy earlier this year over funding to Planned Parenthood. The national Komen office had announced it would stop funding breast-health services provided by Planned Parenthood, but then lifted its ban following a national uproar.
"We're nine months away from the Planned Parenthood incident and it's hard to tell if was the economy or other factors," said Lisa Wolter, executive director of the Orange County Komen affiliate, in a news statement Sunday.
For the many breast cancer survivors at the race Sunday, Komen has provided them a lifeline of support and hope.
"I walked into Komen a frightened breast cancer patient," speaker Betty de la Torre told the crowd. "I walked out an empowered warrior."
Contact the writer: [email protected] and 714-796-7829.
####
SikhWomenNow is a non-governmental, non-profit, international Sikh Women organization committed to helping and healing humanity through Seva meaning selfless service. We also recognize that collaboration is essential to promote better understanding of diversity, fight discrimination, oppression and violence against women.
http://www.sikhwomennow.com/
Women's Walk Photos
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |