A celebration of life

Despite grey skies, yesterday morning was beautiful. The Central New York Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure took place at the New York State Fairgrounds and it was, as usual, a time of joy tinged with sadness. I was a volunteer this year, and had the great privilege of working in the survivors tent.

According to The Post-Standard, there were 8,000 registrants and 2,000 supporters, sponsors and volunteers, and $800,000 was raised. It is difficult to explain to someone who has never attended a Race for the Cure just how amazing the event is. Yes, it is a fundraiser but it is more: it's a time for education, a time for remembrance, and, most importantly for me, a time to celebrate life.

Here are images that remain in my memory from yesterday:

- The young woman whose bald head was wrapped in a Ford Warriors in Pink scarf, walking hand-in-hand with her husband, whose head was shaved, perhaps in solidarity;

- The woman wearing a custom sweatshirt with "In Memory" photos on the front, and "In Honor Of" photos on the back;

- The man with two small children, one in a stroller, who told me that his wife is a recent survivor but was too weak to attend;

- The teenage boys wearing pink t-shirts, totally unconcerned and unembarrassed that they were wearing a color that many people deem as a "girl" color;

- The man wearing a grey survivor t-shirt, a good reminder that breast cancer is not just a women's disease; and,

- The Girl Scouts who had made 600 "I am the Cure" pins for survivors. They stood at the entrance to the tent for the entire morning, tirelessly handing out the pins.

It was my first time to volunteer but it will not be my last. Thank you to friends Betty and Kelli, and to my dear cousin Pam for donating to the event.