MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thousands of runners jumped at the chance to Race for the Cure in Downtown Memphis.
“The support is wonderful, that`s the greatest thing about it.”
Bobbie Palmer`s smile was brighter than the sun Saturday morning.
“I`m 12 years free. I just got my mammogram two weeks ago. Praise God, Clean bill of health! Yes!” she told WREG’s Elise Preston.
When Anita Langston got her cancer diagnosis thirteen years ago, her breast cancer was pretty advanced. She didn`t think she would survive or meet her future grandchildren. They`ve only known her cancer free.
“I feel very blessed I`m able to see them,” she said.
She doesn`t want 6-year-old Madeline to go through what she went through so Anita and her family joined thousands downtown in hopes of raising $850,000 for Susan G. Koman Memphis Mid-South.
The majority of the money raised will stay right here for breast cancer awareness and research, honoring both survivors and those who passed like Linda Knolton. She died two years ago after being in remission.
“It came back and spread to other parts of her body.”
Drenched in sweat, her son Mike Knolton said this weekend`s course was hard but he had to finish.
“I think of my mom, I think of everyone and it helped me push through.”
Linda Cross is fighting cancer of a different kind, but even though she`s weak from her treatment she wanted to cross the finish line for her sister-in-law Pam who did not win her battle with cancer.
“We unite for her and to raise money for other people,” said Cross.
It’s that goal of helping others that makes this fight so special.