Positive energy Breast Cancer Run inspires, raises funds for screenings </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 7:50 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Positive energy Breast Cancer Run inspires, raises funds for screenings

By Aaron Selbig
Staff Writer

In its 15th year, the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic's annual Breast Cancer Run has become much more than just a run.

For one thing, there are the pink balloons -- more than 400 pink balloons, in fact, prepared by a special "balloon team" the night before and spread all over Homer in front of businesses who donated $100 to the run's grand cause -- ensuring breast cancer screenings for the more than 300 uninsured local women who might otherwise not get them.

Photo by Aaron Selbig

Runners take off from the starting line at Bishops Beach during the 2009 Breast Cancer Run Aug. 16.

Then there's the head shaving. In its third year, the idea is for people -- women and men -- to shave their heads in support of those with breast cancer.

"I volunteered here a couple of years ago and was just really moved by the people who did it, including a young girl who raised thousands of dollars," said Emily Ward, who raised $1,800 from friends, co-workers and family before having her head shaved Saturday at Bishops Beach pavilion after the run.

The Breast Cancer Run, which drew 114 runners this year, has a serious -- maybe even somber -- side, evidenced by the participants who sported T-shirts or signs in memory of friends and family members who did not survive breast cancer. At the food table, a beautiful chocolate "survivors" cake -- with pink trim, of course -- held a dozen or so candles, each placed there in honor of a survivor.

But the run also is an affirmation of life.

"Any time there's a way to make it more creative and more playful and more celebratory, we are open to that. There's an aspect of it that's very solemn, but to be able to balance that with the joy of the community coming together is what makes this unique," said run organizer and KBFPC Health Educator MaryClare Foecke.

Many runners sported wacky, pink-themed costumes as they ran the five-mile route from Bishop's Beach through downtown Homer, down Lake Street and Ocean Drive to the Homer Brewing Company and back.

Jason Womack, a motivational speaker from Ojai, Calif. who had only heard about the run the day before, finished first with a time of 32 minutes, 41 seconds.

"It's awesome to see a community come out and support something like this. Along the whole route, there were people clapping and waving. That's really neat and I'm delighted to be a part of it," said Womack.

Photo by Aaron Selbig

Emily Ward shows off her T-shirt and her new haircut at the 2009 Breast Cancer Run Aug. 16.

Womack, who runs 20 to 25 miles a week back home in California, ran the race in memory of three breast cancer survivors in his life -- his stepmother, aunt and grandmother.

Homer High girls' soccer coach Julie Barnes finished right on Womack's heels, turning in a time of 33:20, tops for women and second overall.

Barnes said she ran in memory of her late grandmother, Sonja Barnes, who died of breast cancer 20 years ago.

A long list of sponsors and more than 40 volunteers -- from flaggers along the route to the race timers to folks selling official T-shirts -- helped pull off this year's run, which raised about $17,000 last year. Dozens of local businesses donated money and food and tents and whatever else organizers needed.

Marimba group extraordinaire Shamwari, for the third year, entertained participants at Bishop's Beach, while Pushki Hag serenaded runners at the Homer Brewing Company water station.

"Part of the beauty of this run is it's something that people really enjoy lending support to and participating in. Every year, I'm deeply touched by the generous spirit and positive energy that each and every volunteer, sponsor, donor and participant seems to bring to the day," said Foecke.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig.@homernews.com.