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Survivor Activities on Race Day
- Survivors will receive special Pink Race bibs. Be sure to designate yourself as a Survivor when you register for the Race for the Cure!
- Survivors are invited to wear placards on their backs to show their Survivor pride or dedicate the Race to a loved one.
- The Survivor Lounge will provide a light breakfast made just for Survivors.
- Survivors will receive special giveaways from the Survivor sponsors.
- Again for 2010! The Survivor Processional! Survivors will gather at 8:45 am at the Survivor Tent Courtyard and join us for a processional to the Stage at 9 am. Each person will be grouped according to years of suvivorship. This will be followed by the 9:15 am Survivor Photo and the 9:20 am Survivor Program and Survivor Awards.
Survivor Spotlight
Roslyn Siegel – Team L’Chaim to Life!
What can you say about a journey taken that was not planned nor one that you did not even want to take?! Wow! A difficult task. However, thinking back fourteen (14) years – YES……… I’m a Fourteen Year Survivor!........... my initial thought in the brief moment after my diagnosis and before my brain going into complete shut down mode was that I had just been issued a death sentence.
When my brain reengaged itself and after talking with my doctors regarding treatment, etc. I took some time to research this dreadful disease and tried to focus on SURVIVAL. And so for the next year in between surgeries, chemo and radiation and becoming a human pin cushion I walked between reality and a feeling that I was somehow removed from myself and that I was outside looking in on what was going on while fighting for my life.
Backing up a bit…….. I was at the NJ Shore for a few days after my third surgery when my doctor called to let me know that all the latest biopsies showed NO sign of cancer. They had finally gotten it all. I hung up the phone and in a daze just walked down to the water and dropped to my knees and with tears running down my face I thanked G-d (and my wonderful surgeon!).. I have never felt as relieved of anything else in my life as I felt in that moment!
Of course once again reality set in and I realized that I still had a long way to go with treatment; i.e. chemo & radiation. Uggh!
During treatment I walked around in a chemo fog and then in exhaustion from radiation treatments. But I continued to fight it all because I was alive and wanted to continue to live!
What helped me the most during this oppressive time was the unlimited support of my loving husband, family and friends. I don’t think I could have done it without them. When I couldn’t stand any more chemo they threatened to “rope & tie” me and get me to my appointments. They sent funny notes, prayers, and flowers that would arrive just before treatments……… They called just about every day. They dragged me out for milkshakes when I couldn’t eat. (Some of those milkshakes are still sitting on my hips!)
So as I reflect I think yes it was a pretty bad time in my life but it gave me the knowledge that I was a much stronger person than I had realized and it made me even stronger. And because of cancer research advancements and treatment advancements I was able to get the latest and the best treatment available which enabled me to survive.
Every day is a gift and I treasure each and every one. Gifts don’t have to come wrapped in pretty paper and ribbon; they are here in the forms of sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, laughter, joy and love and I am so grateful to be here to see and receive these gifts.
Thank you Komen for the Cure for this wonderful day every year and for helping the women in the Central/South NJ area become aware of early detection, etc. through education and for assisting those in need. Thank you too for your fundraising efforts that pays not only for the “hands on” assistance and education that you provide but also for the funds you provide for research. If it wasn’t for all the research many of us would not be here to tell our stories.
Best Wishes to ALL survivors! May you live long fulfilling lives!
Would you like to share your story? Email us at race@komencsnj.org.
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