Dedicated volunteers make race More Than Pink
You’re standing there on race day and when you look at the back of the bibs, almost everyone’s says someone they’re racing for. —Brittanie Stone “Komen Texarkana has been able to provide money locally through grants which have helped many women receive procedures/ exams, allowing them to have that early detection.” —Morgan Jerry
Texarkana’s Race for the Cure 2017 is being headed up by a pair of dedicated ladies—Brittanie Stone and Morgan Jerry.
The race, which takes place Oct. 21 at the Four States Fairgrounds, wouldn’t be possible without a race committee and a number of community volunteers.
“There are about 30 ladies on the committee and one gentleman,” said Stone. “And there are numerous volunteers who show up on race day. We have people from Opportunities, Inc. driving the shuttle buses (and) high school students that come out and cheer on survivors and racers. We also have students that help us take our team pictures and different companies send their employees to serve the survivor breakfast. There are so many volunteers I honestly couldn’t count them all, but it definitely couldn’t be pulled off without our committee and volunteers in Texarkana.”
Organizers expect about 5,000 participants in the event because breast cancer is a cause that affects many in the community.
“It seems harsh to say it, but cancer sucks,” Jerry said. “We all have someone close to us who has been affected by cancer. Breast cancer has a very high rate of survival when detected early. Komen Texarkana has been able to provide money locally through grants which have helped many women receive procedures/ exams, allowing them to have that early detection.”
Both Jerry and Stone volunteered with Komen Texarkana for several years before serving as race co-chairs.
“Nicki Wells, my neighbor and good friend, sold my husband and I tickets to the … Pasta Party. We had a wonderful time and in chatting with Nicki about the event, I learned a lot more about the local group who volunteer for Komen Texarkana,” Jerry said. “I volunteered and have been involved for five years now.”
Stone has participated in the event for many years.
“When I was 7 or 8, my aunt had breast cancer so I always had a pull to the event. … Then there was a position on the committee and Amber (Lawrence) asked me to help,” Stone said. “I volunteered for one year with ceremonies. Then I chaired ceremonies. Last year, I shadowed the race chairman and this year we are chairing together. Breast cancer affects so many people. You’re standing there on race day and when you look at the back of the bibs, almost everyone’s says someone they’re racing for. So many people are affected by breast cancer. Not just women, but males too. The more money we raise, the more money that goes back into Texarkana to help those with breast cancer or those who think they may have breast cancer.”
Many people choose to participate in Race for the Cure as part of a team made up of eight people or more.
“My favorite part of the race is walking around and seeing the teams together,” Jerry said. “Their T-shirts alone are some of the most entertaining things to read. It’s always inspirational to find out why they formed a team and who they are walking or running for and why the fight is so important to them.”
Both Stone and Jerry have learned a lot serving as race co-chairs this year.
“There are so many things to take away from this experience, but the biggest thing is being able to look at the impact that the race does make on so many because you do sit there and hear stories of survivors and ladies who’ve been recently diagnosed. If we didn’t have the race in town and funds from the race here, some of these ladies wouldn’t have gotten a mammogram and found their breast cancer as soon as they did and they wouldn’t have been able to take care of themselves like they did,” Stone said.
“It has been a learning experience,” Jerry said. “I feel this year has been a lot of note-taking. Should the opportunity be presented to do this again, I feel I will now be prepared. This event takes an army.”
The theme for this year’s event is More Than Pink.
“We really want everybody to realize that breast cancer is more than pink,” Stone said. “They are mothers, fathers, best friends, grandparents, brothers, sisters and it’s not just one color,” Stone said. “At the end of the day, the survivors come together and support each other. It doesn’t matter who you are and what background you come from.”