43
Survivor Run honors breast cancer survivors
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of Girl Scout Troop 80495, from left, Autumn Sebastian, Jessica Megown and Julia Megown, held the pumpkins they decorated for breast cancer awareness as they volunteered at the Survivor Run on Oct. 11.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Sallie Sullivan (left), a breast cancer survivor, and her daughter, Megan Hruska, were all smiles before the Survivor Run Hruska organized to honor her mother and other breast cancer survivors and to help spread awareness of early breast cancer detection and to get others involved in their passion for riding.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Riders and horses participating in the Survivor Run, decked out in pink, prepared to hit the trail at Buckeye Horse Farm on Oct. 11.
By ABBY SLANKER
Life-long horse enthusiast Megan Hruska of Canfield wanted to honor breast cancer survivors, including her mother, in the way she knew best - with a Survivor Run consisting of a 12.5 mile clinic ride to help spread awareness of early breast cancer detection and to get others involved in her mother’s passion for riding.
The Survivor Run took place at Buckeye Horse Park on Oct. 11.
Hruska’s mother, Sallie Sullivan, was diagnosed last October with first stage breast cancer.
“It didn’t show up on her mammogram, but she knew something wasn’t right. After an ultrasound, biopsy and a MRI, a 19mm malignant tumor was discovered attached to the muscle in her chest wall. Because of early detection, her odds of survival are very high. There is always a possibility the breast cancer could return, so I consider my mom a breast cancer survivor,” Hruska said.
Twenty-six riders participated in the run. Rides received breakfast, dinner, prizes and completion awards.
“Endurance riding is my mom’s passion. I organized this event in honor of celebrating life. Money was not my focus for this event. I want to raise awareness and stress early detection and persistence. With early detection and good follow up care, 93 percent of women with an early diagnosis have a good prognosis,” Hruska said.
Girl Scout Troop 80495 volunteered during the event and decorated pumpkins in the theme of the day - pink. Each rider was awarded a pumpkin at the end of the ride.
“I am so blessed to belong to a community of such caring people. So many friends have asked how they can help. Our riding community looks out for each other. It’s a competitive sport, but we help each other out any way we can. I am thrilled to see all the people here in pink,” Sullivan said.
In fact, not only were the riders and volunteers deck out in pink, but the horses were, too, with pink manes, pink tails, pink ribbons and pink blankets.
Sullivan has completed a 100-mile endurance race and numerous 50-, 30- and 25-mile races and has been riding long distance for over 20 years.
“There are five riders here today, including myself, who have a combined total of 20,000 miles,” Sullivan said.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center to support Joanie’s Promise Fund.
“I got through my treatment thinking ahead about when I was going to ride again. There were days when those thoughts really kept me going,” Sullivan said.
Hruska hopes to make the Survivor Run an annual event.