Thousands ‘Race for the Cure’ in downtown Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The streets of downtown Indianapolis had 15,000 people walking for the 24th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
One of the highlights of the event was the Pink Parade of Survivors. Thousands of survivors wore neon pink t-shirts and walked as thousands of supporters cheered them on along the way.
Debbie Jenkins was among the sea of pink. She said, “It brings tears to my eyes.”
Jenkins has survived breast cancer for almost two years. She said, “My mother was a breast cancer survivor and I’ve always done self-exams. I found my own lump, called the doctor, got right in and they took care of me wam bam really quick.”
Also among the survivors was Mark Goldstein of New Jersey, but he doesn’t call himself a survivor.
Goldstein said, “I am a breast cancer conqueror.” He explained, “You survive the disease, that’s the clinical part of it. But you have to conquer the emotions and that’s our responsibility.”
Goldstein gladly shared his story. “I realized that my left nipple was receding and there was a growth under the nipple and that was in February 1988. But in typical male fashion, what do you think I did? Nothing. I didn’t do anything until May, three months later.”
Goldstein travels the country to participate in similar races to raise awareness of men with breast cancer. He said he purposely starts in front of the crowd and then let everyone pass him up so they can read the back of his shirt. “MALE BREAST CANCER RARE but THERE”, was printed on the back of his blue shirt as a reminder for other participants.
He said, “Men should not die from breast cancer out of ignorance.”
Executive director of Susan. G. Komen Central Indiana, Natalie Sutton said the event, “Brings hope, right? Hope for a cure and hope for early detection for women here in our community.”
This year’s goal for the Race for the Cure was $1.5 million. Sutton said the majority of the money raised by the organization stays in the local community for health services and local research.
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