Iraq run honors breast cancer survivors, victims

Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Service members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors from across Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, participate in the 5k Breast Cancer Run, Oct. 25.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

10.25.2009

Story by Spc. Shantelle Campbell 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

TIKRIT, Iraq — For 25 years, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization has been devoted to raising awareness of an illness that is said to be the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

On Oct. 25, service members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors gathered outside of the Main Gym on Contingency Operating Base Speicher to participate in a 5K Breast Cancer Run.

Among the participants was Lt. Col. Shatrece Buchanan, a breast cancer survivor and the 3rd Infantry Division's Equal Opportunity program manager.

It was just last summer when Lt. Col. Buchanan said she found a lump on her breast after conducting a self-test.

"It's a good thing we caught it then because it has the potential to spread into the different phases very quickly," said the Jacksonville, Fla., native. "So, the fact that it was caught early saved my life."

After the event, Lt. Col. Buchanan spoke to the crowd and reminded them of the significance of the run. She said that it wasn't meant to be a race to see who could cross the finish line first but reinforced the fact that it was an event meant to raise awareness of breast cancer.

"Every step means life and perseverance," she said about the race. "Every step means that though I may not be the fastest runner, I'm still in the race. [It's] just one step at a time."

Sgt. Stacey Lynch, the first female walker to finish the event and a supply non-commissioned officer with Company C, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Riley, Kan., participated in the event in memory of a family member who lost their life to the illness.

"[The run] is a way to show support for all the survivors and for all the ones who have lost their lives to breast cancer," Sgt. Lynch said. "[It's] to never forget their memory — keeping their memory alive."

• Date Taken: 10.25.2009
• Date Posted: 11.04.2009 04:01
• Story ID: 41057
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ