COLUMBUS, Ohio — Saturday was the day for a major fundraiser in Columbus dedicated to taking out breast cancer.
What You Need To Know
- 7,500 participants took part in the 31st Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
- The annual race is dedicated to support breast cancer patients and survivors
- The event raised over $800,000 this year
7,500 participants came out to the 31st annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Lydia Kemerling Back was among the crowd.
Kemerling Back is upbeat as she can get, but life hasn’t always been this bright and sunny.
She had stage two breast cancer.
“When I was 39, I was diagnosed,” said Kermerling Back. “I had a lumpectomy, radiation, and six months of chemotherapy, and within a year after that, my mom passed away and she was my caregiver.”
24 years later, Kemerling Back is a cancer survivor.
“When you get to the other side, you’re like, ‘Yeah!’ That’s why I try to be upbeat and positive because you can get to the other side,” said Kemerling Back.
While doctors and family had her back every step of the way, the early detection is what she calls a lifesaver.
“I was like, something’s not right,” said Kemerling Back. “So, we went and had the mammogram and the surgeon just thought it was scar tissue. And when the doctor got in there, he found out that it was cancer.”
Now, while taking part in the Susan G. Komen race for the cure, she wants to pay it forward, and above all, bring hope.
“Never give up, never give up, always have faith it will get better and just believe in whatever you want to believe in,” she said. “Keep your family close by and just keep positive thoughts and just do what the doctors tell you to do.”
Race organizers say they were shooting to raise $1 million, and so far, have raised more than $800,000 and counting.
All proceeds will support breast cancer research.
