Sue Holm lost some of the joy of this past year to treatment to conquer her breast cancer.
This year, the battle won, the Fargo woman intends to celebrate life.
She kicked off that party Sunday, joining more than 250 other walkers for the inaugural Fargo-Moorhead Breast Cancer Walk.
"I'm a survivor!" Holm said.
"I missed the whole (summer) season last year," she said, preparing for the start of the walk at the downtown Fargo-Moorhead Family YMCA.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I'm back. I'm ready for the summer. This is fun!"
The parking lot of the Y was a sea of pink T-shirts as the 2 p.m. start of the three-mile walk to and from Moorhead's Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center neared.
The walk was important "just to bring awareness to the need to find a cure for breast cancer," organizer Kari Langeberg said.
"Every person knows someone in their church, their friends, their family, affected by breast cancer," she said.
Laura Langemo was part of Holm's team, and was joined by daughter Anna Langemo. Laura Langemo said her mother, mother-in-law and stepmother all battled breast cancer. Her mother died of the disease at age 47.
Michelle Kupitz has a cousin with breast cancer, and she's preparing for her own treatment.
The Moorhead woman found out she had breast cancer in early March.
"It's all new to me," she said, as she readied for the walk. Friend and teammate Margie Trickle said the fund-raiser was important.
ADVERTISEMENT
"With more research, maybe they can find a cure," Trickle said. "That would be wonderful."
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 184,450 people diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. this year, 182,460 of them women, and the remainder men.
The group estimates that 40,930 people will die.
Langeberg said the walk raised $5,000. The money will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, she said. Another breast cancer fundraiser will be held at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, she said.
The Fargo North High School girls fastpitch softball team will play West Fargo High School at North Dakota State University's Ellig Sports Complex, North Coach Kevin Hanson said.
Freewill donations will be taken before the game, Hanson and Langeberg said.
Breast cancer prevention
Here are some tips provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to reduce your risk of breast cancer:
ADVERTISEMENT
- Exercise: Control your weight and exercise.
- Alcohol: Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.
- Check-ups: Get screened for breast cancer regularly.
- Educate yourself:
Learn the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy when treating the symptoms of menopause.
Online
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/
- Fargo-Moorhead Breast Cancer Walk: www.fmbreastcancerwalk.com/
ADVERTISEMENT
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
