Today I was totally inspired by the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Our daughters and I were part of a cheering squad at the two mile marker of a 5K race. What an amazing site to behold! Thousands of pink-bedazzled runners, joggers, walkers, strollers and even a few wheelchairs happily plowed through downtown Austin early this morning. The costumes are reasons enough to come and cheer on these participants- pink boas, tutu's galore, crazy headwear and hilarious t-shirts top the list.
The slogans ranged from "Big or Small, Save them All!" to "Save Second Base" and many versions of "Save the Ta-Ta's". Breast cancer survivors wore special dark pink shirts emblazoned with "survivor" down the front- and I can't begin to guess how many hundreds of survivors were sprinkled within the throngs of racers. Every survivor wore a large smile and a fierce, triumphant spirit that made all of us stand up a little straighter and appreciate our own measure of health.
Perhaps the most touching scenes were the families and groups of friends carrying pictures and banners of their dear ones who couldn't beat breast cancer. "Gone but never forgotten", and "You're our Angel" signs and shirts unified these participants, many clearly still keenly bearing their loss. How amazing that they are honoring these angels by helping raise money for breast cancer research to spare others the pain they know too well.
Race for the Cure is one of several foundations that hold races around the country to raise money for medical research. If you are looking for a way to start exercising, I promise you that signing up to WALK in races like these (where the time doesn't matter, so you don't have to be up to running to participate) will make exercise fly by as you surround yourself with such positive energy and zest for life.
BOTTOM LINE: Congratulations to all the participants in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and let's continue to support all cancer research!
