Celebrating the survivors

Breast cancer does not discriminate -- it can affect men and women of

every age, race, religion and class.

This was evident from the diverse group of more than 1,600

survivors -- all dressed in pink T-shirts and clutching pink roses --

at the 14th annual Komen Orange County Race for the Cure, held Sunday

at Fashion Island.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to overcome the disease. Many of

the race participants were running or walking in memory of a loved

one.

Cheryl Dodd of Rancho Santa Margarita ran the coed 5K with her

10-year-old daughter, Hope, in memory of her stepmother, who lost a

battle with breast cancer seven years ago.

“I always give myself a good cry when I start that corner,” said

Cheryl Dodd, who’s been running the Race for the Cure for 10 years.

“You cry for who you lost, but then you’re happy for who’s still

here.”

Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Arquette, who lost her mother

and aunt to the disease, spoke at Sunday’s event.

“We must defeat this disease so that all women can live long,

healthy lives,” Arquette said, addressing a large audience of

survivors, supporters and sponsors.

She also had the audience repeat after her, “I promise to do my

breast self-exam every month.”

Arquette said the work the Komen Foundation does helps people

survive.

“It’s beautiful to see all these survivors,” said an emotional

Arquette, gesturing to all the women in pink. “That’s beautiful to

me.”

Mission Viejo’s Linda Evans was going through chemotherapy when

last year’s race took place. She couldn’t walk but still wanted to

participate, so her friends and co-workers got her a wheelchair and

pushed her through the course.

She returned for this year’s event, sporting a survivor’s T-shirt.

“This year, I’m excited,” she said. “I have hair and I walked.”

Evans said at times she feels as if her battle with breast cancer

was a blessing in disguise because of all the wonderful people she’s

become acquainted with.

As she fought the disease, it was people like Alta Primus -- a

survivor for 17 years -- who encouraged her not to give up. She said

on her worst days, she would look to people like Primus and think,

“I’m here right now, but I’m going to be there someday.”

Primus, also a Mission Viejo resident, said although it’s been 17

years since she was treated for breast cancer, she still gets nervous

each year when she goes for her mammogram.

Monica Sortow of Anaheim, a 13-year survivor, emphasized the

importance of getting yearly mammograms. She said her mother was

diagnosed two years ago, at age 84.

“Age has nothing to do with getting breast cancer,” Sortow said.

“You never think of this until it happens.”

More than 23,500 people participated in Sunday’s race, and more

than $1.8 million has been raised so far, 75% of which stays in

Orange County to fund local research and programs. The other 25% goes

toward national research.

Sally Coombe, treasurer for the Orange County affiliate of the

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, said pledge money will

continue to come in during the next couple of weeks.

Participants pay an entry fee to walk or run in the race, and some

raised additional pledge money as well. Anyone who raised $10,000 or

more will win a specially designed pink-ribbon beach cruiser,

courtesy of Felt bicycles. The bikes will also be for sale at

participating retailers, with a percentage of the sales going toward

breast cancer research.

For more information on the Orange County affiliate of the Komen

Foundation, visit o7www.ockomen.org. f7For more information on the

national organization, visit o7www.komen.org.

FOR THE RECORD

f7An article in Monday’s Daily Pilot on the Race for the Cure

misidentified the treasurer of the Orange County affiliate of the

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She is Sally Molnar.

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at

(714) 966-4625 or [email protected].