VALDOSTA —
The devastating impact of breast cancer can be minimized through early detection, and, in that same spirit, the two-year-old Get a Mammy organization kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness month two days early with a 5K fundraiser at McKey Park on Saturday morning.
Tracy Thomas, event coordinator and president of Get a Mammy, said roughly 200 men, women and children participated in the race that started on Burton Street and ended at the intersection of Roosevelt and Patterson Street.
Thomas said there was an unrelated cross-country meet in Thomasville, which followed the Mammython, but she said turnout was still outstanding.
“This is our first time out, and we’re pleased,” said Thomas of her organization’s first 5K run.
Get a Mammy is a non-profit organization that enables women to get free mammograms, said Thomas. The group’s only funds come from private donations and fundraisers like Saturday’s 5K race.
“Until we find a cure, we must find it early,” said Thomas. “Mammograms are your best defense to detect breast cancer early, which gives the patient a better chance at survival and cure.”
Audrey Williams and Jackson Williams Jr. took home top honors as the event’s overall winners of the men’s and women’s group; several other participants won medals for beating out the other competitors in their age groups.
After the 5K, the organization held its Pink Bash at the Valdosta Middle School track. The bash consisted of a fun run for kids, train rides and a novelty race for the men.
During the Pink Bash, the organization held a “Walk a mile in her heels” race which starred ten men who, after tossing around a football, put on women’s shoes and raced around the Valdosta Middle School track.
Adam Gatzemeier, wearing pink heels and waving pom poms, broke into a light jog and pulled away from the sauntering pack to claim first place.
Other participants included Brett Thomas, white slipper with pink flowers; Bowen Corbett, black socks with pink flops; Matt King, no socks with pink flops; David Cole, white slippers with pink furry balls; Charles Walden, white heels; Wesley Rust, gold slippers with pink gems; James Wurster, red heels; Ray Corbett, white slippers with pink gems; and Andrew Mock, red heels.
“I can only imagine the struggle of the women that fight through breast cancer,” said Tamra Vega after the 5K. “So I show my support in anyway that I can.”
Over 200,000 women and 2,000 men die each year due to breast cancer, said Thomas as she continued to stress the value of early detection and decisive action.
“It happens to men and women of all ages,” said Thomas. “Get a mammogram if you’re over forty,” said Thomas. “ And if you have high risk factors, see your doctor and they’ll advise you of when you should have it.”
To find out more about Get A Mammy, visit the group’s home page at GetAMammy.com or contact them via e-mail at Getamammy@bellsouth.net.
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