Photo By Master Sgt. Jared Gehmann | Service members show their support for breast cancer awareness in May by holding up...... read more read more
Subscribe
BAGHDAD – Service members and contractors recently participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure five kilometer run/walk at Forward Operating Base Prosperity, in Baghdad.
The run was established in honor of Susan G. Komen, who while suffering from breast cancer, focused not on herself, but on other women who suffered from the illness. As Susan lay dying, her sister promised to make a difference and improve the lives of women struggling with breast cancer. She eventually established Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
That same attitude lives on through everyday people such as Lt. Col. Kim Johanek, who is assigned to the Rear Area Operations Command, 1-48th Field Artillery Regiment and serves as the access control officer in charge at FOB Prosperity. With the help of the Morale Welfare and Recreation group, the Nampa, Idaho native organized the set up and registration for the run.
“Originally, I got an email from the college that I work at back home, asking if I would participate in a team run with them. Obviously I couldn’t participate in the run with them because I’m here, so instead I thought, what a great opportunity to put together a team here on Prosperity. I figured we could support the run in Boise simultaneously out here,” said Johanek.
After conceiving the idea, Johanek and the MWR talked to the other Army units to see if they were interested in supporting the Susan G. Komen run. “As soon as we put out the information we started getting a lot of different groups, organizations and units within Prosperity who wanted to do things in support of it. Bravo battery designed special T-shirts, wristbands, fun socks, and headbands, said Johanek.”
Johanek said more than 70 people participated in the run wearing their pink T-shirts and accessories and more than two thousand dollars were donated from various groups around the FOB to support breast cancer research. “Something like this, even if it’s just a fun run, supports the overall cause and it’s certainly beneficial,” she said.
Johanek said it is important that people are aware of the dangers of breast cancer and said it affects millions of people including her.
“I had a very dear friend who eventually died from breast cancer. She was a physician who was stationed at Fort Carson with me, and regardless of her illness was always the most happy and fun person I wanted to be around. She left behind two very young daughters. That impacted me on a personal level.”
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.10.2011 08:16 |
| Story ID: | 70167 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldiers run for cure, by MSG Jared Gehmann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
