Prosperity runners raise money for Breast Cancer

Photo By Master Sgt. Kap Kim | Sgt. Jose Diaz Jr., left, and Sgt. Fides Fornillos, Headquarters and Headquarters Command, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, speed their way toward the finish line during the Prosperity Run Club's Breast Cancer Awareness run on Forward Operating Base Prosperity in central Baghdad, Oct. 23.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.29.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PROSPERITY, Iraq – The 5K fun runs hosted by the Prosperity Run Club have all but been routine for Staff Sgt. Kenneth Pierce. He has made a run of winning just about all of them since the run club director, Maj. Scarlett Foster, started it. Yet, this month's run was a little different as he came in first with a time of 17:46.

Pierce, who is assigned to Company A, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, has a grandmother who was diagnosed with breast cancer almost four years ago. He said he not only ran because he enjoys it, but that he also ran this 5K in hopes that this event might help bring about more awareness.

"This just has a little bit more meaning than just running," he said.

According to Staff Sgt. Nicole Robinson, a platoon sergeant assigned to Company B, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, and the fundraiser's organizer, one in four people either know someone with breast cancer or know someone who has died from breast cancer. Because of this month's theme, it came as no surprise that runners donated more than $2,000 for the cause.

"The goal I originally set was $1,500," said Robinson, who calls Charlotte, N.C. home. "We are at $2,062 at this point, and we still have people who want to give."

Robinson started her research last month and found the website: ww.breastcancerawarness.org. Through the site, she got in contact with fundraising experts and after getting the proper approval, got with Foster, whose team of medic volunteers hosts the monthly Prosperity 5Ks.

Robinson said she was really happy about the turn out and called the entire event "awesome."

There were 180 runners and walkers who entered the event.

Klamath Falls, Ore., native 1st Lt. Marci Hanson, an unmanned aerial vehicle platoon leader from Company B, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, was the first overall female finisher, coming across the finish line with a time of 21:30. An avid runner, like Pierce, Hanson has also won a few road races in and around the International Zone before. Not only did she improve on her personal best 5K time in this race, but she also ran for a friend who has breast cancer.

"It's nice to run for this," she said.

• Date Taken: 10.29.2007
• Date Posted: 10.29.2007 16:19
• Story ID: 13441
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ