Cancer cure within her lifetime?
Published: September 27, 2004
Shawna Platé is chairing this year’s Race for the Cure, which raises money for breast cancer research. She spoke with Charlotte Observer reporter Carrie Levine about Charlotte’s biggest 5K race:
Q. How did you get involved?
I got involved because of my company, Charlotte Radiology. We have been involved since the beginning of the race eight years ago.
Q. Are you a breast cancer survivor?
I am not. I just have really become inspired through the people that I’ve met since being involved in the race and that just moved me to want to take a bigger role in the race this year. It’s motivating, just because I am a woman, and there is that fear out there that one day I could have breast cancer.
Q. Are you running?
I wish I could. I’ve run it in the past. This year, I am afraid that I’ll be doing the ceremony and presenting the awards and running around like a crazy person. My husband … has always done it.
Q. How many entrants are you expecting?
We’re expecting over 12,000 people this year. The past few years, we’ve had 11,400 people participate, and we’ve really seen big growth.
Q. What does it take to organize something like this?
I started working on the race probably the day of the race last year. I have an executive committee of 40 volunteers. Those committee members, a lot of them have their own subcommittees. I couldn’t even begin to tell you the hours I’ve spent planning this thing. I’m very grateful to my company for allowing me to take the time.
Q. Would you do it again?
I’ve actually debated it, but I’m not sure. Usually, there’s a new chair every year. I know that I will be involved.
Q. What have you learned from doing it?
I’ve learned how amazing these survivors are. I’ve learned the (Susan G.) Komen Foundation is a huge support for the breast cancer community.
Q. Do you think there will be a cure for breast cancer in your lifetime?
I certainly hope so, and I really do believe there will be. We’ve seen this disease go from being a disease no one talked about to a disease that has its own pink ribbon and awareness month. With early detection, the survival rate is so amazing. I do feel like we’ll see a cure, or if not a cure, then many new treatment options and screening options for breast cancer.
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: