Saturday was a day to celebrate life and make memories, despite less-than-cooperative weather.
A dreary drizzle failed to dampen the spirits of the more than 1,800 people who participated in the Pounding the Pavement for Pink 5K in Seymour.
I was happy to be a part of the third annual event hosted by Seymour Pink, a community’s fight against breast cancer.
The nonprofit seeks to raise awareness of breast cancer and to empower and financially support those living with the disease.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Seymour resident Mary Deming founded the organization in 2009 in memory of her mother, Theodosia McEnerney, who died from breast cancer at age 55.
I walked, chatted, and laughed my way along the 3.1‑mile route in downtown Seymour with other members of Griffin Hospital’s “Circle of Friends” breast cancer support group.
I’m sad to report the group’s membership has grown since I joined it in 2011. It seems the number of Lower Naugatuck Valley residents diagnosed with the awful disease continues to climb.
Carnation corsages, cranberry muffins, coffee, and camaraderie at the survivors’ tent made me forget the gray skies overhead.
I got teary-eyed watching a parade of buses stop at the Broad Street intersection to drop off participants. So many people were willing to ignore the weather and show their support.
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As our group walked and talked, the more athletically-inclined ran past us in the other direction, including Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller and Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman.
Kudos to them for running the route!
And kudos to those males who had the courage to don pink clothing, including one young man I saw wearing pink tights. Bravo!
Experiencing the support and concern from an entire community – through a wonderful organization like Seymour Pink – makes dealing with a cancer diagnosis easier to handle.
The nonprofit’s fifth annual Seymour Pink Day will be held Oct. 15.
I’m looking forward to that special day. It’s when individuals are asked to wear pink, and Seymour schools, businesses, and organizations paint the town pink to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Being part of the “Circle of Friends” support group helps me live with the disease, even three-plus years after my surgery and treatment.
Two Griffin Hospital physicians, Denise Barajas and Mark Melendez, will be guest speakers at the “Circle of Friends” meeting at 6 p.m Thursday.
Join us in the conference room at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby., and bring a friend!
You won’t be disappointed. There’s going to be cake!
