43
Panerathon expected to draw 8,000 downtown
By Kevin Connelly
youngstown
An estimated 8,000 people will take part Sunday in the fourth annual Panerathon 10k and two-mile fun run/walk benefiting the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center.
The event has raised more than $500,000 as part of Joanie’s Promise, a program that ensures all women with breast cancer have access to screenings, care and other services they need regardless of their financial situation.
For one volunteer-turned-beneficiary, Sunday’s event also will serve as a reminder of a time in her life when she needed the community the most.
Judi Paulitz, 62, of Sharon, Pa., was a volunteer at the event for its first two years.
In May 2012, however, Paulitz was diagnosed with breast cancer and found herself in a battle she never saw coming.
A month later, she had surgery and began chemotherapy. As last year’s event approached, she wasn’t sure if she had the energy to attend.
Once there, Paulitz found the love and support she needed.
“Most of the time I was in tears,” Paulitz said. “It was almost as if it was something that I had to do.”
One year later, she’s cancer-free and using the experience to give back to others, the way they gave to her.
“I find almost everybody’s been touched by it in one way or another,” Paulitz said. “Whether they’ve gone through it themselves or their family members, you find people that you didn’t even know had gone through it.”
Every year, the number of people who come out has grown immensely, according to event coordinator Liz Follet. She was a participant the first year, but has since taken on a bigger role and is overwhelmed by the support she’s seen.
“I think it says a lot about the people in this community,” Follet said. “They have such generous hearts and they really rally behind great causes.
“But I think it’s also a testament to this particular cause.”
Follet said the Mahoning Valley ranks in the top 10 for breast-cancer mortality rates and believes that’s something that really resonates with the people here.
Organizers are expecting more than 8,000 participants Sunday, a quarter of whom will run (or walk) in the 10k that travels through Mill Creek Park. The two-mile run that also is available will navigate through the streets of downtown.
“This event now, when I see the number of people that are there, I think it’s like they know they need to be there,” Paulitz said. “So many people need their support, so many women don’t have what they need.
“It’s like more and more people keep coming because they know what they do with the money.”