43
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.One rider and horse went all out in the spirit of breast cancer awareness, embracing the color pink for the third annual Survivor Run at Buckeye Horse Farm on Oct. 1.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Riders and horses lined up and waited for the start of the third annual Survivor Run at Buckeye Horse Farm on Oct. 1.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Riders and horses participating in the third annual Survivor Run, decked out in pink, prepared to hit the trail at Buckeye Horse Farm on Oct. 1.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Sallie Sullivan (left) a breast cancer survivor, and her daughter, Megan Hruska, were decked out in pink in support of the third annual Survivor Run Hruska organized to honor her mother and other breast cancer survivors and to help spread awareness of early breast cancer detection on Oct. 1.
By ABBY SLANKER
The third annual Survivor Run, organized by Megan Hruska of Canfield, took place at Buckeye Horse Park on Oct. 1. Hruska, a life-long horse enthusiast, started the Survivor Run two years ago in honor of breast cancer survivors, including her mother Sallie Sullivan.
The Survivor Run consisted of a six-mile trail ride and a 12-mile trail ride to help spread awareness of early breast cancer detection and to get others involved in Sullivan’s passion for riding.
Forty-four riders, decked out in the color of the day - pink, participated in this year’s Survivor Run. 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, and even a pink horse.
“I started the Survivor’s Run to raise awareness, and wasn’t really focusing on raising money, but last year, thanks to our riders and generous donations, we raised over $1,000. We wanted to share our passion for riding and expose new riders to the sport, along with raising awareness, and this is a great way to do that,” Hruska said.
Hruska said the number of riders is up from last year, most likely, she thinks, because they wanted to come out and support Sullivan.
“About a month ago, my mother was diagnosed with bone cancer. Her breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2013, metastasized into bone cancer. She is going through radiation now. I think more people came out this year in support of her, which is wonderful,” Hruska said.
Thanks to several donors, Hruska was able to award prizes to the riders in several categories, including the top 10 place riders, best use of pink and turtle prizes for the last ones to finish the ride. The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center donated goody bags for the riders.
Riders also received breakfast, lunch and dinner, completion awards and T-shirts.
Girl Scout Troop 80495 members, including Jessica and Julia Megown, volunteered during the ride and decorated pumpkins for the event.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center to support Joanie’s Promise Fund.